1. Culture is Everything. I recently started a new coaching job that has made a world of difference in my outlook on corporate work. We have a Chief Culture Officer, who I absolutely love! Working for a company that strives to make your 8-hour day enjoyable is an amazing company to work for. We have weekly raffles for 100$ gift cards, open door policies, and no one is breathing down your neck if you are running a few minutes late in the morning. It certainly is a breath of fresh air and it makes me want to get up in the morning and contribute to the bigger picture of life. I want to work with people who are kind and uplifting for the rest of my life.
2. Having a Passion is Important. I’ve always considered myself a Nomad. I love change (in most cases), and I have many passions. I’ve been in the Air Force, worked for an Environmental company, owned a Pilates studio, worked as a Personal Trainer. Currently, I am a Health Coach. Honestly, helping people has always been at the heart of what I am passionate about and who I am. The best way to find your passion is to tap into that feeling inside that says, “hey, go this way. I think you would be really good at this.” It’s always the intuitive nudges that really help you hone in on your passion/calling. Listen carefully.
3. Money will come if you are diligent and love what you do. Money isn’t everything, but you must pay your bills. For a long time, I felt very behind in my career, at least monetarily. Did everyone else have it figured out? I had a Master’s degree for crying out loud. What was I missing? After much thought, I realized that doing work you love and having a passion doesn’t always equal the pay you had in mind. At least, at first it doesn’t. If you are good at what you do and work hard, money will come. I also realized that I really don’t need a lot of money to be happy. My ideal house is a less than 1000 square feet. My ideal car isn’t a Mercedes. My ideal life is really, well, simple. I realized that I don’t want to be tied down to things. Or I don’t want things to tie me down.
4. Trust in failing to succeed. Success often comes after many, many tries. We all want to succeed on the very first try. I specifically remember learning how to drive with my Dad. Both my parents had manual transmission cars. Not fun for a first-time driver! However, it didn’t keep me from learning. It wasn’t pretty. But now, at 43, I can say I’m a good driver with confidence. The point is, don’t be afraid to step out into the unknown. Trust that the net will be there to catch you. Even if the net has a few holes in it, your world will keep turning and you will learn how to succeed in your own time.
5. It’s ok if you don’t want or have a traditional career. Today, you can make up your career. I have friends that own food trucks, wait tables, teach Pilates, write books, sell real estate. You don’t have to be a nine to five worker to feel fulfilled and make a good life for yourself. Have you ever noticed that “What do you do?” is one of the first questions someone you’ve never met asks you. Our work life is a big part of our life. In some ways, it defines who you are and in some ways it doesn’t. Do the work that feels good to you. Don’t worry whether it’s traditional or non-traditional. Does it fulfill you? Does it sustain you? Do you feel good at the end of the day?
