OVERQUALIFIED? or UNDERFOCUSED?
A while ago, I was invited to write a chapter for a book being published by W.W. Norton Professional Books. It gave me a chance to rewind my memory and zoom in on particular coaching clients I’ve had over the years.
I thought about Tom, a CPA/attorney who was mightily frustrated but couldn’t get a handle on why. He felt fragmented, almost tormented as he reached for something just outside his grasp and understanding.
After a few sessions it became clear that although he was making a ton of money, he hadn’t found his Right Livelihood. He kept being hired away at higher and higher salaries by companies that wanted to use all his skills, but he had an internal itch he couldn’t reach.
Tom wasn’t overqualified. He was underfocused.
Through our coaching he came to realize that there were a few aspects of both accounting and lawyering that he enjoyed, but not a whole lot. Together we identified exactly what he wanted to use from both those skill sets and perfect arena in which to use them. Management. Creativity. Collegiality (is that a word?). The challenge of ever-changing projects that would stretch him.
We crafted an imaginary job that would let him hit on all the cylinders he wanted to use, plus some new and exciting ones. We rewrote his resume to slant it toward his ideal job, and within a few weeks he had exactly what he wanted in an industry he’d never considered.
He’s a happy man these days. More time with his family, no unwanted stress, and a hefty six-figure salary. More money, more time for life, less stress. These days he is focused on what he has decided is really important.
How about you? Could you use some help getting re-focused on what matters to you? What charges you up and makes you WANT to get out of bed each day?
I’m available to help you with that! Sometimes it just takes a couple sessions with someone unfamiliar to bring things into focus.
Call me.
Tags: Family, focus, job, money, passion, right livelihood, unwanted stress, Work
