Does the pressure and stress of your career feel like it's taking it's toll on you? Does your work make a contribution? Are you energized by the people that you work with? This week's podcast is with Michael Gill, New York Times best selling author of "How Starbucks Saved My Life." Starbucks really did save his life, in many ways. You may be thinking, "Did a Barista do the heimlich maneuver as Michael was choking on a venti-non-fat-extra-hot-½ Soya-½ skim milk Mochachino?" Well, not exactly. His story was not only fascinating to me, but Tom Hanks will be playing him in the story of his life - about the journey upward from an unfulfilled ad executive to a highly engaged Barista working at Starbucks.
Michael's identity and purpose came very much from his work. It gave him a place, title, income and status. As with others who are defined by what they do and are fired, there was an extreme loss of identity. Then one day while standing in line at Starbucks, he was approached by a store manager and asked if he would consider applying for a job. He was open and ready to try something completely different in his life. Michael shared "Some of the best things in life happen by accident." How open are you to circumstances, opportunity and people who can help you?
This week's 60 Second Workout - Allow yourself to be open this week to opportunities that come your way.
Continue the conversation on my blog ; What are some of the lucky things that have happened in your career?
CareerPoll ; How stressful is your current work situation?
Free Webinar - Get The Right Career Right Now! Join me Friday August 13 12-1 P.M. E.T. as I share how to identify if you are on the right career path.
Looking for help with your job search and personal brand ? Who's your career coach ? Need help with a professional resume, job search, and interview preparation? Invest in yourself -- get the edge in this competitive job market. Take a small step and book an initial consultation with me.
Your Career Barista along the road with you!
Alan
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Your career is the greatest investment you can make in yourself. When you are happy in your job, you see positive results in everything around you, from finances to relationships to personal health. So why stay stuck in the current situation if it doesn't completely suit who you are inside? Get started
I can now attest to the fact that the assistance of a professional career coach makes success achievable.
Easy to use to identify your key strengths and find the right career for you!
Sometimes and "accident" is the biggest blessing...
The best accident or "unplanned surprise" that happened to me was losing my job. Yes, I can hear the pictures on the wall rustling from the combined wind generated from all these people blinking and whipping their heads around in surprise.
Yes, it was this "loss" that made the biggest "win" that I knew ever existed. I became immersed in the world of Career Counselling. Not only can I relate to a client and their journey, I even get to help them out now. From becoming an un-necessary worker (I was still a worker, just without work to go to regularly) with no future (so I thought) to a veritable lamps man, lighting the way for others. Many others in this field also feel that way, from other posts and surveys I have conducted. It gave me the freedom to explore, rather than settle. It gave me time to think, instead of running for the nearest haven. It made me ask myself what I wanted to do, since I could do anything at all. I performed some informational interviews, found what I had to do, and then did it.
Since coming into this sector, I found there is a currency that does not go into the bank, but pays dividends much richer than Canadian dollars - I get paid in blessings. Day after day, I get to hear how someone's life is impacted in a positive way because we shared some ideas together, and I offered direction, strategies, and advice.
Aligning my career with my values is the best "accident" that ever happened to me. That being said, my advice as someone who had their job "taken" (I never "lost" anything!) from them is to stop, breathe, and then ask yourself "What do I REALLY like to do?" You may be surprised at some of the answers....
Cheers!
Chris Kulbaba - Career Counselor
MBTI/PD Facilitator
new opportunities
I certainly can believe that opportunites come along all the time. Back in 2002, I was volunteering with a Board of Directors then due to health reasons had to resign the position. I asked the executive director about volunteering during the day she introduced me to the Program Manager who immediately started training me for my new career as an employment counsellor which I have been doing for the last 7 years now.
We need to be open to occurences that are caused by happenstance and be prepared to grab new opportunities as the world is waiting for us to take hold and move into a new direction.
Mary Whitaker
Employment Counsellor/ Facilitator