Go beyond the surface level

Taking stock of your current situation and shifting direction involves much more than a few online assessments. And forget passion. I've got a dispute with the whole "find your passion" arm of the career world. According to social science research, passion serves as a viable steering mechanism for only 20% of Americans. That means 80% of us are scratching our heads in bewilderment when the topic of passion enters the career conversation.

It’s so easy to spin on the hamster wheel in your head and get lost about what’s resonating for you and what’s dragging you down. Are you facing a hiccup? a reckoning? an overhaul? Or is what’s showing up right now part of an internal struggle that – no matter what you do to tinker with your external variables – will continue to haunt you? I work with clients to map what’s next for them. We take a deep dive into how they got to this spot, who they are at their core, and what’s the best expression of them in the world. Many of my clients describe the work we do together as holistic and therapeutic – we’re going beyond surface-level, quick-fix approaches into sustainable, deeply nourishing work that aligns with who you are at your core.  

A few years ago, I wrote a manifesto about my own career (side note about the word “manifesto” - it means an outline of intention and deep belief, so even though it became famous several years ago for the deranged ramblings of a terrorist, I’d like to reclaim the word), and I thought it might offer you some insight about my approach career work if I put it here. I have a prettier version of it as a pdf, but here’s the raw text:

I create my career.
Not the economy, not the job market, not the whims of employers.

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My security comes from within.
I am resilient, resourceful, and smart enough to harvest the learning
from my mistakes and my trials and put them to work for me.

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Money is simply an exchange of value for value.
I recognize the value that I generate,
and I integrate and absorb my own and others’ value with gratitude.

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Compassion, particularly self-compassion, is a cornerstone of my career and my life.

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The most important question I need to ask, and answer is,
“Who do I want to show up as right now?”

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My emotional experience is as important as any other dimension of my career.
I am willing to feel discomfort, disgust, sorrow, pain, shame, hurt, and anger
alongside surprise, joy, humor, contentment, thrills, trust, pride, and generosity.

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When I release control over things that aren’t in my domain, amazing things happen.

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I give and receive support, and sometimes it comes packaged in ways no one expects.
When I feel lost, my best haven is getting curious about others and listening to their journeys
so that I can chart my own course by accessing their wisdom.

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Boundaries serve to protect me and communicate my needs and desires to others.
They’re a healthy part of my work life. I construct my boundaries with both my words and my behavior.

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I balance my input channel, which includes abundant learning and connection (both internal and external),
with my creative outflow, my offerings and contributions to the world.

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When I recognize, allow, and steward my own thoughts and emotions,
I’ve disarmed my greatest adversary on my journey.

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When I operate from the premise that I belong, and my tribe supports me,
I find power and direction from deep within me.