The Power of Self Discovery in Creating a Living, Loving Legacy

Here at the-Coaching Blog-run by Gerard O’Donovan, our aim is to constantly bring value to those seeking to improve their lives. Therefore we have a policy of publishing articles and materials by guest authors whom we value and appreciate. Today’s guest author is Deborah Knox (USA).

What is it about that short extended period in our lives where we devote so much of our available energy to fulfilling our career goals? The amount of time and energy can be justified IF we enjoy what we are doing, are enlivened by it, and feel adequately rewarded and recognised for the role. We seem to give our best selves to those years between 30 and 60 when the drive to excel and produce keeps us going with varying degrees of fortitude.

If you have recently made a job or career change into the field of coaching you have some knowledge of what is required to accomplish this. But finding meaningful work, as you know, is not a simple task. It requires researching, heightened self awareness with the ability to be objective and subjective at the same time, and a very open mind. As a coach consider adding this service to your portfolio by giving it your full attention. By helping your clients discover what would be meaningful work for them, you will be providing them with tools that will last a lifetime. The need for career planning, coaching and counselling services are different for each stage of one’s career development and understanding the needs will help you meet their goals.

For Millennials starting out, the call to find purpose — and get a job, any job, — the need for career planning has never been more important. There has been a staggering increase in the number of “careers” a person can hold in a lifetime. The numbers have gone from 1–2 at the most with an average of 10 for Millennials in 2016. This generation can expect to change not only jobs, but careers on an average of 10 times. To succeed at this requires a treasure trove of elements like confidence, awareness of how exactly your skills are transferable to another industry, and the ability to convince others of your value and worth, for starters. Career Planning offers clients a process of increasing self-awareness, developing a strategy for exploring the passions and finding ways to get paid in that learning process.

The standard bearers of our fully functioning corporate and organisational structures are working an average of 50 hours a week. Even with a part time job, they can be expected to put in “overtime.” Whatever the income level and status, no doubt family and personal life are stretched and there is never enough time for what is important. The human will drive and succeed contributes to our well being; by feeding our egos we accomplish that which seems most important. Career Planning for this cohort — the working slugs — I call them, is essential.

There is still time to plan ahead for a gradual diminishment of the constant need to explore, expand and do more in preparation for “retirement.” Some have called it a parachute and that is a good term when we know we have successfully landed in the “next place.” These career and/or industry changes are a lot harder to make, so creating a strategy to move through these years will contribute positively to the ever increasing number of jobs per lifetime.

But the number of jobs/careers is only valuable in terms of what has been learned. How do you help someone process years of experience on a job, interacting with people, juggling multiple tasks, knowing the priorities and following through on the politics? Every industry has its own jargon and therefore is not unlike entering a new country. You must learn the language of the new tribe and maximise what you bring to the table and what you have to offer. Career Planning will help provide the overview and good counselling support that help keep the spirits up, when things begin to feel like they are getting out of hand.

And then there are the unemployed who can benefit from Career planning services the most, and therefore should have access to these services. Most states do offer some kind of career planning services through the Department of Economic Security in your region. These most likely will not be your clients, because they won’t have the funds. However, you can assist them in other ways. Offering a free 30-minute consultation with a follow-up might be just the intervention that allows an individual to get a new perspective on the journey out of the jungle. Or you can volunteer to deliver a workshop on any aspect of the job search that interests you. You can become an expert and then bring that more and more into the list of tools and services you offer. Write an article, sponsor a free one hour workshop. You get the idea.

Coaches who want to provide Career Counselling/Coaching or Planning, consider the following tips for exploring this new option. As you begin to explore this field you will be discovering anew the thrill of helping others determine their future direction with the confidence they can do it again, and again, and again.

1. Research the existing Career Planning Resources and find a Program you can make your own.
2. Realise there are two separate but integrated parts of the Career Planning process:
3. Self Assessment
4. Job Search Support including resumes, interviewing and networking and researching opportunities.
5. Develop a list of tools and services you want to offer and become an expert at using them. You might consider the different ages and audiences you hope to serve.
6. Identify other resources for effective referrals. You don’t need to be an expert at it all. It will help to have other career counsellors in your corner for support and information. Be willing to pay them.
7. Discover what it is that brings you the greatest joy in helping others find meaningful work. If you are doing what you love, chances are good, you can help others discover their niche.

Career Counselling/coaching and planning has had and continues to have a brilliant career. For coaches who have already made a commitment and a decision to enter the field of helping others, this can be a great specialty to add to your portfolio. You might want to consider the unique aspects of “counselling, coaching and planning” in reference to helping others discover their true legacies. As you do the constant self defining, so will they. But please, do the homework suggested above, so you are able to build a solid foundation, which will be your lasting legacy.

About Deborah Knox

Deborah Knox is the author of ‘Put Your Spirit To Work: Making a Living Being Yourself’, Wheatmark, 2012. She has been providing Career and Life Work Planning Services since 1972 when she attended an outplacement workshop for hundreds of Pam Am flight attendants, conducted by John C. Crystal. Her passion for the comprehensive program presented in her book, has inspired thousands to discover their own life work purpose and meaningful living. She attended Coaches Training Institute in 1990. She has a BS from Elmira College and graduate work in Adult Education.

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