You’re reading How To Quit Your Job (with romantic worst-case scenarios), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

If you feel sick with the prospect of being an employee for the next 20 to 30 years of your life then I hope that what you will read will put you a minute closer to showing the teeth to the crazy idea of scheduling the best years of your life to a time when your body is frail.

Free beer on Fridays is not enough freedom

I always thought to be ‘successful’ meant having a permanent job, earning 40k, working for 7,5 hours a day and then spending the rest of your time in cool places doing the things you really ‘love’ doing.

When I finally made it through the muddy and cold waters of internships and low-paid entry jobs and I got my first permanent job, I instantly realised how wrong I had been all along.

I would not only do my 7.5 or 8 hours Mon to Fri but I would add a 2-hour commute plus another hour getting ready and planning for work. Only this way I could deliver my work to the highest standards. Because any negative feedback at work would make me feel anxious for weeks or even months.

But it didn’t end there. The roles I was doing were designed to continuously get me promoted to the next level, which was great in the sense that my companies cared about my career progress, but this meant I needed to work overtime to make sure I excelled on the long-feared wintery appraisal.

Instead, watching others climb ahead of me would effectively make me feel like a loser. In this context, seeing my colleagues getting promoted while spending their weekends partying until dawn made me jealous. “I don’t have any energy for that, I am so wiped out during the weekend that all I want to do is stay at home quietly and do productive activities” I used to say to myself.

But wait, I was too tired to do anything productive!

“I am investing my whole life in the benefit of somebody else and I don’t have enough time to do the things that really enrich me, like playing guitar and learning languages.” I thought.

“Will this go on until I’m 65 or before (as long as I die before that age)?”

Reading the four-hour workweek by Tim Ferriss didn’t help, for it made aspire that freedom to design your lifestyle but didn’t really convince me to pursue it, which in turn made me more frustrated.

Life puts you where you belong

Unexpectedly, I met someone who had recently done what I wanted to do so bad. He wholeheartedly encouraged me to quit and follow my dream. I was almost convinced.

A final kick by the most important person in my life put me straight in that meeting room handing over my notice and negotiating the end of my contract. I felt the wings popping up from my back.

The first thing I did was going on an amazing road trip to celebrate such a milestone in my life. I don’t go on a road-trip every day, but I still celebrate that decision EVERY SINGLE DAY.

This post commemorates the first year of my life after-employment. I must say my 7 years of higher education (bachelors and two masters’ degrees) didn’t teach me half of what I have learnt in the past year. And I have been able to not only support myself but also…

• Create a brand
• Design a range of awesome service products
• Deliver a talk to an audience of local entrepreneurs
• Move to an amazing location in Spain on a protected natural dune.
• Get a rescue dog
• Learn how to sing to a ‘cringe-free’ level
• Learn how to play two of the most difficult classical guitar pieces ever written
• Have experienced life-affirming near death experiences while surfing
• Fire a client (and loving the result)
• Get married with the love of my life
• Visit Thailand
• Lose my fear to surfing
• Join a martial arts club
• Work one week in Berlin
• Take two road trips to South of Spain
• Visit Lithuania and work from there
• Learn how to record and edit videos
• Complete a 3-month coaching course that changed my life
• Wake up whenever I want (early anyway)
• Experiment with intermittent fasting regimes
• Fully express myself with my family

I am not a millionaire nor I aspire to be one. I am something more powerful than that. I have seen what is possible when you commit yourself to living on your own terms, and I am fully committed to continuing optimising my lifestyle and thus reminding myself that the sky is the limit.

I am so passionate about growing and consolidating my dream lifestyle that I will never stop. And I promise you, if I run out of money somewhere in the process, I will grab my guitar and busk on the streets rather than work on somebody else’s terms.

Here is how you can get started (this is what worked for me):

• Work with a coach to make you set and stick to your goals
• Create very specific products based on what you know creates value
• Get a website and build your own brand
• Read your email once or less per day
• Put effort on the non-income-generating things you love doing

If you are not exuding joy at your current job but think it somehow is the best thing you can get (as I did when I was in that position), you are wrong. The world has nothing but opportunities ready for you to take them.

Are you ready to commit?

---

Peru Buesa is the founder and digital strategist at Gozen Media, an agency determined to help innovative ideas and products reach far.

You’ve read How To Quit Your Job (with romantic worst-case scenarios), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2uK998c

You’re reading How to Setup Your Personal Development Plan in 3 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Getting your life in order can seem pretty tricky sometimes, but as you are about to see in just a few lines down below, it is actually pretty simple if you have a solid plan.

I never truly understood what I want to do with my life until just about 12 months ago when I listened to an interview of Bob Proctor about goal setting and changing habits. It was then when I became aware that all you need to do in order to design your own personal development plan is to know where you are and where you want to go.

Once you have that sorted out you just need to start implementing, take action and put in all the effort in achieving your goals.

Step #1 Find out where you are

The very first thing you need to do is make an in-depth assessment of all the aspects of your life. Take a really open and honest look at where you are in your life right now.

Are you happy with how much money you are making? Are you happy with the direction your career is going? How about your relationship with your friends and family?

These are just a few examples of the aspects you want to look at. You might find that you have your own specific things that are important to you which might be different from the ones outlined here.

Take a look at those things and see where you are standing. As you are creating this really honest assessment of your life, you will actually become more aware of the things that you might feel like they need some change or a little bit of extra work.

Me personally, when I made this assessment for myself I was actually doing pretty badly. I was not happy with my job; I was not happy with my health and definitely not happy with my personal finances. That’s what determined me to quit my full time job and dedicate by life to video editing – one of my biggest passion in life.

Now I am doing something I love, I can work whenever I want with whoever I want, and I make more money than I ever did when I was working 9 to 5.

Becoming aware of your current situation is the very first step towards achieving success, so don’t rush through this and be totally honest with yourself.

Step #2 Find out where you want to be

Once you have identified the areas you want to improve, set specific goals for each and every one of those areas. Set just one major goal for each area of your life and make it very specific. It should be something that you can easily measure.

Then put a deadline on it. I like to set a relatively short deadline on my goals – something like 6 to 12 months. By focusing on the shorter term goals you will be more likely to take action right away. And, on top of that, it will also be much easier for you to actually see measurable progress.

It will also be much easier to course correct as you learn new things about yourself and as you evolve into a better person. Setting the right goals might be a little bit tricky to do at first. You will know when you have set a good goal when you will feel both excitement and fear.

You will feel excitement because you will be doing something that you love, something that brings you to life. And if the goal is big enough you will also feel a little bit of fear, because you know that achieving that goal is going to be difficult and it will require a lot of work.

I remember I was scared to death when I quit my job to start editing videos for a living. But I was also very excited to get started on following my dreams.

Another thing I found to be very effective is to write down your goal on a piece of paper. Create a goal card that you carry in your wallet or pocket and that you read a couple of times every day. I know I was reluctant about this method, but reading out loud your goal often enough will keep you focused on achieving that goal. By reading it over and over again, your mind will start to work on achieving it even without you consciously realizing it.

Step #3 Create an action plan

The third and final step is to write down some clear action points. These actions should take you from where you are right now to where it is that you want to be. What does it take to achieve your goal?

You might not know every single step but there definitely are a few things that you do know. Most of the times these will be sufficient to get you started. You just need to start somewhere. You don’t need to have the whole plan outlined beforehand.

Start with a draft and add new actions to it along the way. Learn as you go, don’t be afraid to try out new things, experiment. Some things will work, some will not. Each failure will just get you one step closer your goal. I remember I made a ton of mistakes when I started my business. But each mistake taught me a new thing and so on and so forth.

Just start, don’t wait to have the perfect plan!

Over to you

I challenge you to go over this 3 step process and share with us what is it that you’re committing to do for yourself. Where do you want to be 12 months from now? What are the actions that you know you’re going to need to take in order to move your life forward?

---

Cristian used the exact same steps outline above to figure out he wants to run a video editing company. Right now he is in charge of the operations of Veedyou Media, a business which is offering video editing services to customers all around the world.

You’ve read How to Setup Your Personal Development Plan in 3 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2vGOH5l

You’re reading How to Setup Your Personal Development Plan in 3 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Getting your life in order can seem pretty tricky sometimes, but as you are about to see in just a few lines down below, it is actually pretty simple if you have a solid plan.

I never truly understood what I want to do with my life until just about 12 months ago when I listened to an interview of Bob Proctor about goal setting and changing habits. It was then when I became aware that all you need to do in order to design your own personal development plan is to know where you are and where you want to go.

Once you have that sorted out you just need to start implementing, take action and put in all the effort in achieving your goals.

Step #1 Find out where you are

The very first thing you need to do is make an in-depth assessment of all the aspects of your life. Take a really open and honest look at where you are in your life right now.

Are you happy with how much money you are making? Are you happy with the direction your career is going? How about your relationship with your friends and family?

These are just a few examples of the aspects you want to look at. You might find that you have your own specific things that are important to you which might be different from the ones outlined here.

Take a look at those things and see where you are standing. As you are creating this really honest assessment of your life, you will actually become more aware of the things that you might feel like they need some change or a little bit of extra work.

Me personally, when I made this assessment for myself I was actually doing pretty badly. I was not happy with my job; I was not happy with my health and definitely not happy with my personal finances. That’s what determined me to quit my full time job and dedicate by life to video editing – one of my biggest passion in life.

Now I am doing something I love, I can work whenever I want with whoever I want, and I make more money than I ever did when I was working 9 to 5.

Becoming aware of your current situation is the very first step towards achieving success, so don’t rush through this and be totally honest with yourself.

Step #2 Find out where you want to be

Once you have identified the areas you want to improve, set specific goals for each and every one of those areas. Set just one major goal for each area of your life and make it very specific. It should be something that you can easily measure.

Then put a deadline on it. I like to set a relatively short deadline on my goals – something like 6 to 12 months. By focusing on the shorter term goals you will be more likely to take action right away. And, on top of that, it will also be much easier for you to actually see measurable progress.

It will also be much easier to course correct as you learn new things about yourself and as you evolve into a better person. Setting the right goals might be a little bit tricky to do at first. You will know when you have set a good goal when you will feel both excitement and fear.

You will feel excitement because you will be doing something that you love, something that brings you to life. And if the goal is big enough you will also feel a little bit of fear, because you know that achieving that goal is going to be difficult and it will require a lot of work.

I remember I was scared to death when I quit my job to start editing videos for a living. But I was also very excited to get started on following my dreams.

Another thing I found to be very effective is to write down your goal on a piece of paper. Create a goal card that you carry in your wallet or pocket and that you read a couple of times every day. I know I was reluctant about this method, but reading out loud your goal often enough will keep you focused on achieving that goal. By reading it over and over again, your mind will start to work on achieving it even without you consciously realizing it.

Step #3 Create an action plan

The third and final step is to write down some clear action points. These actions should take you from where you are right now to where it is that you want to be. What does it take to achieve your goal?

You might not know every single step but there definitely are a few things that you do know. Most of the times these will be sufficient to get you started. You just need to start somewhere. You don’t need to have the whole plan outlined beforehand.

Start with a draft and add new actions to it along the way. Learn as you go, don’t be afraid to try out new things, experiment. Some things will work, some will not. Each failure will just get you one step closer your goal. I remember I made a ton of mistakes when I started my business. But each mistake taught me a new thing and so on and so forth.

Just start, don’t wait to have the perfect plan!

Over to you

I challenge you to go over this 3 step process and share with us what is it that you’re committing to do for yourself. Where do you want to be 12 months from now? What are the actions that you know you’re going to need to take in order to move your life forward?

---

Cristian used the exact same steps outline above to figure out he wants to run a video editing company. Right now he is in charge of the operations of Veedyou Media, a business which is offering video editing services to customers all around the world.

You’ve read How to Setup Your Personal Development Plan in 3 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2vGOH5l

You’re reading 4 Surefire Steps to Create a Way When People Say “There Is No Way”, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

I don’t know what you’ve heard but I’ve heard it said quite often, “there is no way.”

This can be very frustrating, especially when you have actually depended on that source as the last resort.

For all intents and purposes, the word “no” connotes absolute negativity. It has a finality sound about it.

And taking no for an answer is like settling for the less. It’s worse than quitting because in this case, you didn’t even try to push your limits, you just decided to settle for people’s point of view.

And in most cases, the people you’re heeding advice from might actually be people who never pushed the limit either. The speak based on what they heard, not based on experience.

So, when all the odds are stacked up against you, you mustn’t settle for their negativity. You are definitely smarter and braver than the mediocrity.

Below therefore, are steps you must take at that junction to point the arrows upwards.

1. Fire up your doggedness

What the bulldozer requires to start paving a road in the forest are diesel and oil. What you require in your own case is doggedness. It is the oil that will lubricate all the stiffened part of your body, that will prime you up.

Don’t overlook any tidbit, no matter how small. That may turn out to be the ignition key. Don’t take anybody and anything for granted. That may turn out to be a sucker punch.

Your doggedness coupled with resilience will do the magic. Your resilience will be the antidote you need to wrestle with the highs and inevitable lows you will encounter.

Computers came before Bill Gates, it is sheer doggedness on his part that made Microsoft a household name today.

2. Be optimistic

It can never be over until it is over. Inasmuch as you still have a breath left in you, don’t give up.

The going could be tough and rough, but you must go at it ruggedly. Don’t be fazed out easily.

Tell yourself that you have something vital and important to contribute to the world and that you are coming out with a bang. There are millions of innovations nobody has thought up.

3D printing was initiated by somebody. Driverless cars was somebody’s idea. You can come up with your own mind blowing stuff. The world is waiting for you. Kickstart it now.

3. Be initiative

Quite often some small ideas may crop into your head and you try to wish them off. Those ideas are your real gut feelings. Allow them to blossom and you will be doing yourself a lot of good.

Most innovations in the world today, think Microsoft, Facebook, WordPress, or even theme platforms that were built to further improve WordPress, came up as flickers and they were then nurtured and fanned into the mega holdings you see today.

That small idea you have been allowing to flutter and then go off may be your own great contribution that will radically change the world. That your good plan today is sure better than the perfect plan you have tomorrow.

4. Articulate your thoughts

Don’t allow randomness in your thoughts. Make concerted efforts to gather your thoughts together. Create a sort of sieve within yourself that can quickly remove all those thought processes that can hinder your smooth sailing.

Don’t also give room to detractors, they can never do you any good. They will rather bring about a backwardness which will be detrimental to the goals you have set out to achieve.

Don’t ever leave what should be done today for another day. You will only end up dawdling and at the end, nothing will be achieved.

Hit the iron when it is red hot, that is the only way you can get the real shape you want.

Ignore Naysayers and never view NO as final, but as the starting point to getting a better, innovative result.

---

Joseph Chukwube is an experienced content writer, link builder and SEO specialist. He is the Founder and CEO of Dream Chase Achieve, a rapidly growing lifestyle and self-improvement blog.

You’ve read 4 Surefire Steps to Create a Way When People Say “There Is No Way”, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2i14Y1W

You’re reading 4 Surefire Steps to Create a Way When People Say “There Is No Way”, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

I don’t know what you’ve heard but I’ve heard it said quite often, “there is no way.”

This can be very frustrating, especially when you have actually depended on that source as the last resort.

For all intents and purposes, the word “no” connotes absolute negativity. It has a finality sound about it.

And taking no for an answer is like settling for the less. It’s worse than quitting because in this case, you didn’t even try to push your limits, you just decided to settle for people’s point of view.

And in most cases, the people you’re heeding advice from might actually be people who never pushed the limit either. The speak based on what they heard, not based on experience.

So, when all the odds are stacked up against you, you mustn’t settle for their negativity. You are definitely smarter and braver than the mediocrity.

Below therefore, are steps you must take at that junction to point the arrows upwards.

1. Fire up your doggedness

What the bulldozer requires to start paving a road in the forest are diesel and oil. What you require in your own case is doggedness. It is the oil that will lubricate all the stiffened part of your body, that will prime you up.

Don’t overlook any tidbit, no matter how small. That may turn out to be the ignition key. Don’t take anybody and anything for granted. That may turn out to be a sucker punch.

Your doggedness coupled with resilience will do the magic. Your resilience will be the antidote you need to wrestle with the highs and inevitable lows you will encounter.

Computers came before Bill Gates, it is sheer doggedness on his part that made Microsoft a household name today.

2. Be optimistic

It can never be over until it is over. Inasmuch as you still have a breath left in you, don’t give up.

The going could be tough and rough, but you must go at it ruggedly. Don’t be fazed out easily.

Tell yourself that you have something vital and important to contribute to the world and that you are coming out with a bang. There are millions of innovations nobody has thought up.

3D printing was initiated by somebody. Driverless cars was somebody’s idea. You can come up with your own mind blowing stuff. The world is waiting for you. Kickstart it now.

3. Be initiative

Quite often some small ideas may crop into your head and you try to wish them off. Those ideas are your real gut feelings. Allow them to blossom and you will be doing yourself a lot of good.

Most innovations in the world today, think Microsoft, Facebook, WordPress, or even theme platforms that were built to further improve WordPress, came up as flickers and they were then nurtured and fanned into the mega holdings you see today.

That small idea you have been allowing to flutter and then go off may be your own great contribution that will radically change the world. That your good plan today is sure better than the perfect plan you have tomorrow.

4. Articulate your thoughts

Don’t allow randomness in your thoughts. Make concerted efforts to gather your thoughts together. Create a sort of sieve within yourself that can quickly remove all those thought processes that can hinder your smooth sailing.

Don’t also give room to detractors, they can never do you any good. They will rather bring about a backwardness which will be detrimental to the goals you have set out to achieve.

Don’t ever leave what should be done today for another day. You will only end up dawdling and at the end, nothing will be achieved.

Hit the iron when it is red hot, that is the only way you can get the real shape you want.

Ignore Naysayers and never view NO as final, but as the starting point to getting a better, innovative result.

---

Joseph Chukwube is an experienced content writer, link builder and SEO specialist. He is the Founder and CEO of Dream Chase Achieve, a rapidly growing lifestyle and self-improvement blog.

You’ve read 4 Surefire Steps to Create a Way When People Say “There Is No Way”, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2i14Y1W

You’re reading Lost and Stuck in Your Job: 7 Simple Truths to Shift to a Career You Love, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

You look at the time every few minutes, counting down the hours and minutes until the work day ends and you can leave.

The last hour feels like forever.

It’s another frustrating day at work. Stuck in yet another project you couldn’t care less about. You feel an utter lack of motivation.

There’s this nagging feeling that you are not utilizing your strengths, talents, and abilities to your fullest potential in your job.

Deep down you know you need to change. But it feels so overwhelming.

Where do you start? What do you do?

The truth is that feeling stuck is a good sign – because it is an acknowledgment that where you are is not working for you anymore.

Moving into a career that fits you, that motivates you and makes you feel alive doesn’t have to be stumbling in the dark. Here are 8 simple truths to help you shift into a career you love.

Pay Attention to Your Denial

Often times, we think we should want certain things in our careers, such as making $X amount, or a specific type of career – all the while ignoring that inner voice that’s whispering something else.

That denial suppresses what we really desire because we are terrified to face it. We worry about the uncertainty, that we might fail. We are afraid of what others would think. So we continue to deny that inner voice while we aspire to what we “should” be wanting.

However, living a life of “shoulds” simply bring us further away from what really gives us meaning and satisfaction. We are not living our lives – we are living the lives that others want for us.

So let go of the “shoulds”, ask yourself what it is that you are denying, and listen to what your inner voice is telling you.

Pick Out What You Actually Enjoy

We typically think that we want a job with certain characteristics. E.g. challenging, interesting, etc etc. However, what we actually enjoy based on our previous jobs is usually a better clue of what suits us.

I thought I would enjoy solving complex strategy problems for clients. But upon closer inspection of what I actually enjoyed in my past careers, it was always mentoring and motivating my team that gave me the greatest satisfaction.

So start diving into your work history and past experiences. Figure out what were the things that gave you the greatest satisfaction. Use that as a basis to figure out what you want in your career.

Don’t Let Your Frustrations Color Your Career Move

When we are in a job that we hate, we know acutely what is it that we dislike and what pushes our buttons at work. However, there’s a danger that we might swing to the exact opposite in our next career, as a reaction to the frustration of where we are now.

Take a moment to process what are your motivators for your next job. If it’s fueled primarily by your anger and negative feelings of your situation now, it’s better to take a step back.

Enlist a close friend or mentor who can be impartial, and help you process if this next job is the right move for you.

Follow Your Gut If the Career Assessments Says Otherwise

I have quite a few mentees who tell me “I have taken these career assessments, and it says my current career fits me best. But I am unhappy.” These tests are just another tool to help you figure things out – but they don’t know you as well as you do.

A computer test is no substitute for you.

Listen to what your gut is trying to tell you. What is that little voice in your gut that you are ignoring trying to say? Why is it telling you this? What is it trying to do?

Honor and trust yourself. Often times we have the answers we seek if we are willing to sit with ourselves and ask the questions.

Being Stuck Is Part of the Process

In a society where we are always told to be productive, to keep striving and keep doing, there’s this need to “do”. We try to nail down what’s the next career quickly and work towards it. We beat ourselves up for not figuring out what we want. Or get angry with ourselves for feeling trapped but not knowing where to turn.

The thing is, feeling stuck is part of the process. It’s messy, murky and uncomfortable, but it’s normal growing pains as we move through the process of figuring out what we want. So give yourself some room to breathe. Accept it for what it is, and cut yourself some slack.

You Are Never Tied to One Career for Life

There’s a lot of pressure to choose the “right” path and find “the one” career or passion. But the truth is, your values and needs may change.

What appeals to you now may not suit you 10 years later, much less 30 years down the road. Moreover, the old idea of having 1 career for life is no longer true today, with changing careers becoming increasingly common.

So don’t feel as if “that’s it” for life. You can always change your mind.

Be Compassionate with Yourself

The process of changing to a new job or career is scary.

It can feel vulnerable starting over. You worry what your family and friends might think. You don’t know if you can make it. Some days, it can feel like two steps forward, one step back.

But it’s a brave step you are taking. So treat yourself with compassion and kindness. What you are doing is brave, hard work.

Ready For the Next Step?

Imagine waking up, feeling a sense of purpose as you get ready for work.

You relish the challenges you face at work because it’s the type of challenge that you enjoy. That helps you grow, live up to your fullest potential and be who you really are

You’ve got your road map – now all you need to do is take a step forward.

Your new life of freedom and success awaits.

---

Shan Foo is a former corporate suit turned irreverent Sociologist who’s on a mission to help folks stamp out BS, leverage their full potential and step into a career they love. Check out her Free Career Clarity Course, a roadmap to get you out of confusion and frustration and into the career that’s meant for you, on your terms.

You’ve read Lost and Stuck in Your Job: 7 Simple Truths to Shift to a Career You Love, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2hWgTOi

You’re reading Lost and Stuck in Your Job: 7 Simple Truths to Shift to a Career You Love, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

You look at the time every few minutes, counting down the hours and minutes until the work day ends and you can leave.

The last hour feels like forever.

It’s another frustrating day at work. Stuck in yet another project you couldn’t care less about. You feel an utter lack of motivation.

There’s this nagging feeling that you are not utilizing your strengths, talents, and abilities to your fullest potential in your job.

Deep down you know you need to change. But it feels so overwhelming.

Where do you start? What do you do?

The truth is that feeling stuck is a good sign – because it is an acknowledgment that where you are is not working for you anymore.

Moving into a career that fits you, that motivates you and makes you feel alive doesn’t have to be stumbling in the dark. Here are 8 simple truths to help you shift into a career you love.

Pay Attention to Your Denial

Often times, we think we should want certain things in our careers, such as making $X amount, or a specific type of career – all the while ignoring that inner voice that’s whispering something else.

That denial suppresses what we really desire because we are terrified to face it. We worry about the uncertainty, that we might fail. We are afraid of what others would think. So we continue to deny that inner voice while we aspire to what we “should” be wanting.

However, living a life of “shoulds” simply bring us further away from what really gives us meaning and satisfaction. We are not living our lives – we are living the lives that others want for us.

So let go of the “shoulds”, ask yourself what it is that you are denying, and listen to what your inner voice is telling you.

Pick Out What You Actually Enjoy

We typically think that we want a job with certain characteristics. E.g. challenging, interesting, etc etc. However, what we actually enjoy based on our previous jobs is usually a better clue of what suits us.

I thought I would enjoy solving complex strategy problems for clients. But upon closer inspection of what I actually enjoyed in my past careers, it was always mentoring and motivating my team that gave me the greatest satisfaction.

So start diving into your work history and past experiences. Figure out what were the things that gave you the greatest satisfaction. Use that as a basis to figure out what you want in your career.

Don’t Let Your Frustrations Color Your Career Move

When we are in a job that we hate, we know acutely what is it that we dislike and what pushes our buttons at work. However, there’s a danger that we might swing to the exact opposite in our next career, as a reaction to the frustration of where we are now.

Take a moment to process what are your motivators for your next job. If it’s fueled primarily by your anger and negative feelings of your situation now, it’s better to take a step back.

Enlist a close friend or mentor who can be impartial, and help you process if this next job is the right move for you.

Follow Your Gut If the Career Assessments Says Otherwise

I have quite a few mentees who tell me “I have taken these career assessments, and it says my current career fits me best. But I am unhappy.” These tests are just another tool to help you figure things out – but they don’t know you as well as you do.

A computer test is no substitute for you.

Listen to what your gut is trying to tell you. What is that little voice in your gut that you are ignoring trying to say? Why is it telling you this? What is it trying to do?

Honor and trust yourself. Often times we have the answers we seek if we are willing to sit with ourselves and ask the questions.

Being Stuck Is Part of the Process

In a society where we are always told to be productive, to keep striving and keep doing, there’s this need to “do”. We try to nail down what’s the next career quickly and work towards it. We beat ourselves up for not figuring out what we want. Or get angry with ourselves for feeling trapped but not knowing where to turn.

The thing is, feeling stuck is part of the process. It’s messy, murky and uncomfortable, but it’s normal growing pains as we move through the process of figuring out what we want. So give yourself some room to breathe. Accept it for what it is, and cut yourself some slack.

You Are Never Tied to One Career for Life

There’s a lot of pressure to choose the “right” path and find “the one” career or passion. But the truth is, your values and needs may change.

What appeals to you now may not suit you 10 years later, much less 30 years down the road. Moreover, the old idea of having 1 career for life is no longer true today, with changing careers becoming increasingly common.

So don’t feel as if “that’s it” for life. You can always change your mind.

Be Compassionate with Yourself

The process of changing to a new job or career is scary.

It can feel vulnerable starting over. You worry what your family and friends might think. You don’t know if you can make it. Some days, it can feel like two steps forward, one step back.

But it’s a brave step you are taking. So treat yourself with compassion and kindness. What you are doing is brave, hard work.

Ready For the Next Step?

Imagine waking up, feeling a sense of purpose as you get ready for work.

You relish the challenges you face at work because it’s the type of challenge that you enjoy. That helps you grow, live up to your fullest potential and be who you really are

You’ve got your road map – now all you need to do is take a step forward.

Your new life of freedom and success awaits.

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Shan Foo is a former corporate suit turned irreverent Sociologist who’s on a mission to help folks stamp out BS, leverage their full potential and step into a career they love. Check out her Free Career Clarity Course, a roadmap to get you out of confusion and frustration and into the career that’s meant for you, on your terms.

You’ve read Lost and Stuck in Your Job: 7 Simple Truths to Shift to a Career You Love, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading Erin’s Things: August 13, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Hi Friends!

From a cool water bottle to an amazing podcast on Compassion – this week’s list will have you inspired, humbled and maybe just dancing a bit!

1. qUE water bottle – Water is life, and as such we need it often, every single day. Most of us either carry around a plastic water bottle (which isn’t helping the environment one iota), or we buy a heavy environmentally conscious bottle which weighs us down and takes up so much room in our bags. A solution has arrived and I am stoked. This kickstarter funded product, qUE water bottle, twists up and down to expand and contract, making it easy to store once you’ve had your H2o. It also works for hot liquids! I’m getting thirsty.

2. Crystal Kayak – Kayaking is cool. Kayaking in a transparent, clear kayak is just next level cool. Florida’s Crystal Kayak company ships the kayaks all over the world, they come complete with buffing pads, cleaning solution, transport trolley and more but they are not cheap, running you 1,499.00 in cost.  Made from the same material used in airplane windshields, you’re in no danger of damage from colliding with a rock.

3. The Aces – cool, four girl indie rock-pop band form Utah. Their debut single ‘Stuck’ is catchy enough to seriously stick in your head, in a good way. Recently signed to Red Bull Records, their 70’s, summery sounds are headed into heavy rotation on my playlist.

4. Option B – New book by acclaimed author of “Lean In’, Sheryl Sandberg’s latest offering is called ‘Option B’, on how to discover resilience and help other’s in crisis after suffering through major loss.  At some point in all our lives, Option a is not available to us, this is when we make the most of what we have and persevere.

5. The Science of Compassion, Podcast – Spreading compassion into the world, one small gesture at a time. This podcast touches on the acts of kindness either toward someone we know or a complete stranger and how it can impact and change our lives for the better. It’s a must listen for a refresher on how to interact with those around you with grace and generosity.

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What has inspired you this week? Got any great suggestions? Leave your ideas in the comments below!

Be well,

Erin

You’ve read Erin’s Things: August 13, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2uzIFWZ

You’re reading Erin’s Things: August 13, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Hi Friends!

From a cool water bottle to an amazing podcast on Compassion – this week’s list will have you inspired, humbled and maybe just dancing a bit!

1. qUE water bottle – Water is life, and as such we need it often, every single day. Most of us either carry around a plastic water bottle (which isn’t helping the environment one iota), or we buy a heavy environmentally conscious bottle which weighs us down and takes up so much room in our bags. A solution has arrived and I am stoked. This kickstarter funded product, qUE water bottle, twists up and down to expand and contract, making it easy to store once you’ve had your H2o. It also works for hot liquids! I’m getting thirsty.

2. Crystal Kayak – Kayaking is cool. Kayaking in a transparent, clear kayak is just next level cool. Florida’s Crystal Kayak company ships the kayaks all over the world, they come complete with buffing pads, cleaning solution, transport trolley and more but they are not cheap, running you 1,499.00 in cost.  Made from the same material used in airplane windshields, you’re in no danger of damage from colliding with a rock.

3. The Aces – cool, four girl indie rock-pop band form Utah. Their debut single ‘Stuck’ is catchy enough to seriously stick in your head, in a good way. Recently signed to Red Bull Records, their 70’s, summery sounds are headed into heavy rotation on my playlist.

4. Option B – New book by acclaimed author of “Lean In’, Sheryl Sandberg’s latest offering is called ‘Option B’, on how to discover resilience and help other’s in crisis after suffering through major loss.  At some point in all our lives, Option a is not available to us, this is when we make the most of what we have and persevere.

5. The Science of Compassion, Podcast – Spreading compassion into the world, one small gesture at a time. This podcast touches on the acts of kindness either toward someone we know or a complete stranger and how it can impact and change our lives for the better. It’s a must listen for a refresher on how to interact with those around you with grace and generosity.

---

What has inspired you this week? Got any great suggestions? Leave your ideas in the comments below!

Be well,

Erin

You’ve read Erin’s Things: August 13, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2uzIFWZ

You’re reading How to Win in Life Every Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Do you know what it feels like to win every day?

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by the end of the day that you wonder how you even got anything done?

Most people go through life on auto-pilot without any thought as to what is happening.

Is that you?  Do you find yourself so wrapped up in a routine that you struggle to make progress on your goals?

If so, consider these tips, and start winning at life every day!

Tip#1: Win the morning.

Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The first hour is the rudder of the day – the Golden Hour.”

Be strategic in how you start your mornings.  If you wake up late, grab a cup of coffee, and race to get to work on time you have set a panicked tone for the day.

If a rudder steers a ship through its course, your first hour should help set the direction of your day.

Set several alarms if you need to wake up on time.  Get up slowly and take some time to feed yourself mentally and emotionally before starting your “work” day.

Tip#2: Celebrate the small wins.

No matter how full your day is with problem-solving, you must celebrate the small wins.

Did you wake up on time and make your bed before you left for work?  Win!

Did you finally figure out how to get that column to total correctly on your balance spreadsheet at work?  Win!

Did you stay under budget this week? Win!

There is so much that goes well during each week, so make sure to celebrate it!

Tip#3: Be fully present in each situation.

“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” – Bill Watterson

There is no other way to live except in the moment.

Too often we find ourselves looking ahead to the weekend, to the next month, to the next holiday, etc.  We anticipate exciting and disappointing things all the time.

Instead, let’s practice gratitude for each moment and learn to enjoy it to the fullest.  Take time to talk with your coworkers or your children.  Don’t let life’s small moments pass you by.

Don’t let life’s small moments pass you by.

Tip#4: Recap your day with highs and lows.

One strategy that has worked great for me is to invest 5-10 minutes each day to verbalize and write down my highs and lows.

When I’m tired or stressed, I tend to think that I have had a very boring or “bad” day. However, if I take the time to analyze my day, I find there are almost always more positive events that I have simply forgotten.

Even if there were some low times, I can meditate on those for a moment and see if there’s anything I can learn and grow from.

I don’t believe in coincidences, so start paying attention to everything that happens each day.

Tip#5: Unwind and relax at night.

How do you finish your day? If starting your day is important, so is finishing the day.

What is it that you enjoy most to relax and unwind?  Watching movies, reading a good book, taking a walk, playing with your children?  Pick one of those activities and try it out for a week to see how it makes you feel.

You want to choose things that allow your mind to escape from any worry and bring feelings of happiness and contentment.

I hope these tips help you to take control of your life and start winning every day!

I’m Johnny Miller, the founder of Finding Your Fit, a blog about finding margin and career direction in life.  Come check out my blog and see how you can begin designing a career roadmap that actually fits your life.    

You’ve read How to Win in Life Every Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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