Booth Careers - Counselling + Coaching offers one-on-one, private and confidential career coaching to professionals who feel stuck in career and in life. Located in Burlington but with services offered virtually it's a convenient way to get on track with career goals + dreams.
The things you look back on most proudly had an element of "hard" to them. You had to do some things you didn't always feel like doing. You had to feel some things you didn't always feel like feeling. The thing is, the whole reason you did the thing was because you wanted to feel something. Feelings are a big driver, right? After all, they are why we do or don't do anything. We take actions because of how we think we'll feel when they create some sort of result. We study because we think this will get us a better grade and then we will feel proud or worthy or smart, we lift weights because we think this will get us better muscle tone and then we'll feel confident or sexy.
Why do you want to change your career? Because you'll make more money or help others or have more time off? The truth is underneath the why of those things. Perhaps you want to feel more secure or autonomous or less stressed or more connected to your family.
I always say do anything you can to feel what you want to feel by attaining a goal, now. Because if we're not feeling any of the things we want to feel later, now, the path to get there is going to feel harder. This is what I teach. We do this by paying attention to what we're thinking and feeling while working towards the goal--by enjoying the journey and not just the destination as they say. Goals can feel hard but worth it but the joy in reaching the goal itself can also be fleeting. We tend to just keep moving the goal posts. So remember, we don't watch the movie to get to the end, we watch the movie to enjoy the movie.
But make no mistake. On the journey of career change there will be discomfort--even as we work to enjoy the journey. Growth requires it but of course, moving head first into the path of discomfort is not our natural tendency. We'd rather play it safe and avoid failure. That's perfectly understandable. It’s what’s comfortable.
But inevitably there will be a pull to learn what else is out there, beyond what we know or have experienced. This is because each of us is meant for something more. It’s part of our nature to want to stretch and grow but that first step tends to feel pretty shaky. My hope is that these reminders will help:
Discomfort is normal. Fear, uncertainty, doubt, even hating your goals—these are completely normal feelings. Our brains are wired for predictability, stability, and safety. When you venture out of your comfort zone and stretch yourself for a goal, it’s normal to want to call it quits. These feelings won’t necessarily go away, but they don’t have to control you.
Discomfort is necessary. Pursuing goals strengthens you. Like exercising, when you first start, it feels really hard. Maybe even painful. But the more you do it, the stronger you become and the better you feel. Who you are changes along the way. So if we’re serious about growing, then we have to pursue big goals that kick the transformation process into gear. We can't do that without discomfort.
Discomfort is good. Breakthroughs require discomfort. Discomfort looks different for all of us. Maybe you’re setting out to do something you’ve never done before, and you’re scared you won’t succeed. Or maybe you’re struggling with feelings of inadequacy, like you don’t believe you have what it takes to pull this off. However it looks, embrace it, because it sets the stage for the breakthrough you want. The weight of the discomfort forces you to put your nose to the grindstone, to keep chipping away at things until something gives—and it always does.
The more you do it, the easier it becomes to lean into the tension. There’s encouragement in that. Most of all, there’s hope—for achieving big goals, for making the change you seek.
Remember, you can do hard things. Hard things that will feel worth it. You can pursue a dream, make a left turn, and be so grateful that you did.
II know something brought you here and maybe it was a search for what to do next about your career. There are a few ways I can help:
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Sarah took the Make Work Better quiz and said this:
“Christine! I wanted to say thanks. I completed the quiz and then it clicked: I don't feel my contributions are recognized or valued by my employer. Time to have a tough conversation and make some decisions. Thanks for the nudge.”
Kim, a one on one coaching client had this to say about working with me:
I followed Christine on social media for quite some time before I reached out so I felt confident that she was the right coach for me. I’d recommend her coaching for anyone who feels stuck in their career and doesn’t quite know where to begin – anyone looking for accountability and motivation to change. Working with Christine led to a huge shift in my thinking about the level of power I have over my personal contentment. What I liked best about working with Christine was that I felt safe – she is genuine, honest and supportive – so I was able to be vulnerable and easily share what I needed in order to move forward. Her constant reassurance that it’s okay to continue exploring, shifting and changing as I grow was invaluable for my piece of mind. Most importantly, Christine believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself. She helped me truly internalize that no matter what obstacles and challenges arise, I can persevere and continue moving forward.
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