"You live the good life, not by doing what you can do, but by doing what you want to do."
— Barbara Sher (author)

"If You Win The Lottery Tomorrow, What Would You Do With Your Time?"

This is a question I often ask clients who come to me for career counseling.

"Success" — as I use the term — has very little to do with making more money, climbing the corporate ladder, or the other traditional indicators of "making it" in our society.

To me, success consists of living one's purpose to the fullest.

No matter how much money we make, how desirable our homes and cars are, and how respected we are by others, we will feel out of alignment — as if there is a hole somewhere deep inside us — if we do not live that purpose.

You can escape the 9-to-5 world (or maybe it's more like 8-to-late). You can find ways to do what you love, and get paid for it. You can create a life where there is balance, and time for the people and things that matter most to you. But first you have to identify what matters most to you. You have to become familiar with, and embrace, your purpose!

So how do you begin? How do you discover your life mission or tap into your true calling?

And even if you do, how can you turn your dreams into reality? I mean, the bills are still coming in. And, rest assured, some of your family and friends will tell you you're out of your mind.

Where Does One Begin A Career Transition

The first place to start is by turning back to the question I asked at the top of this page. Never mind whether you think anyone could make money doing what it is you'd like to do.

If you want more than a job or career change... If what you really desire is a meaningful life change... Maybe it's time you thought about changing course completely.

As far as I'm concerned, life is too short to spend toiling at a job that pays the bills but doesn't reward your spirit.

And I'm not just saying that for effect. People who are happy with their work actually live longer. Duke University researchers found that the top predictor of a long life in the United States — even more important than good health habits or good genes — is work satisfaction.

It makes perfect sense. Do you think you were put on this planet to spend your weekends running around like crazy doing all the errands you have no time for during the week? Do you believe, deep inside, that your life calling revolves around performance reviews, pointless meetings, or a never ending stream of e-mail?

The first step in my work with career counseling clients, and perhaps the most important, is to help them identify areas in their lives — career, relationships, spirituality, etc. — in which they feel called to be more aligned with their purpose.

Only once these goals have been successfully identified can we move on to the second part of the process.

The Right Kind of Career Counseling —
Because There Are More Important and Valuable Things In Life Than Finding The Right Job

If you decide to hire me for career counseling services, the next step I will help you take is to overcome any barriers you believe stand in the way of achieving your goals.

This may be the most difficult part of the process, but is vital in order for you to successfully create a life that is consistent with your dreams and values.

Along with my objective, out-of-the-box problem solving skills, I will provide you resources, tools, additional perspectives, and inspiration to help you overcome any obstacles and follow your dreams towards a more fulfilling life doing what you love.

Throughout our work relationship, you will remain in the driver's seat.

My role is to use the many tools at my disposal — whether they be stress reduction techniques, psychoanalysis, structured brainstorming, and so forth — to stimulate your creativity and help you make and keep the commitments necessary to achieve your goals.

It isn't always comfortable — being held to the goals you set for yourself, and taking a hard look at those areas where you're holding yourself back, can be a strenuous experience. But stepping outside your comfort zone and breaking with your old patterns of behavior are critical to achieving the results you want.

If you feel called to find and follow your purpose in life, and if you would like a committed partner in your journey, I hope we will get a chance to work together. Please contact me at 1-877-486-1188 or rosekm@earthlink.net with any questions you have or to schedule an initial consultation.

Additional Career Counseling Issues I Can Help Resolve

Most of my career counseling relationships last at least a few months, but it is usually helpful to stay in regular contact with your career counselor or coach even after your objectives are determined and any mental obstacles preventing the achievement of your goals are removed.

As we move along our paths in life, we often have to deal with unanticipated challenges, and correct our courses accordingly. Having someone around to keep us on track as we face those challenges is an immense asset.

My clients determine where they would like to be more aligned with their life purpose, and ultimately learn to craft the solutions to any problems facing them.

But several decades of experience have led me to understand that helping clients with "career issues" requires me to address and manage a wide variety of career-related issues. Because of this, I have also helped numerous clients:

• Create a satisfying balance between work and the rest of life;
• Stay focused on work while dealing with emotional issues (such as grief, divorce, or difficulties with children);
• Find time and outlets for other needs (such as community involvement, creativity, spirituality);
• Resolve conflicts and issues in the workplace;
• Learn the communication and conflict management skills necessary for employees and supervisors;
• Relieve work-induced tension and stress;
• Manage job changes and changing work environments;
• Decide whether to stay in a job or find a new one;
• Deal with workplace disabilities;
• Make decisions regarding self-employment and entrepreneurship; and
• Address the numerous financial issues and concerns that arise around these topics.

If you feel you could use a professional partner to address any of the aforementioned issues... If you have questions about the nature of the work you do, how it impacts your life, and how you can successfully transition your career so it becomes an expression of your life purpose... Please don't hesitate to contact me at 1-877-486-1188 or rosekm@earthlink.net.

You can turn seemingly impossible dreams into practicalities with the right tools, professional assistance, determination, and by allowing yourself to think and live life outside of the proverbial box, office, or cube!

As Robert Frost said, "(for only when) work is play for mortal stakes is the deed ever really done for heaven and the future's sakes."

You can live a life that allows you to be seen and feel good for who you are, not only for what you do. I look forward to working with you to create your own version of success! Call me today, 1-877-486-1188, or e-mail me at rosekm@earthlink.net.