The Humpty-Dumpty Syndrome

How many times have you heard someone say, "Losing my job was the best thing that ever happened to me"? Does hearing this sentiment make you scratch your head in puzzlement? How could something so negative be so positive? What's the person's secret?

Few of us begin our careers with the intent of doing something else. After all, we've invested quite a bit of time, money and hard work in getting to where we are. We spent years in college, did clinical fellowships, and worked hard to get our professional certifications and licensure. Much like Humpty-Dumpty, we proudly sit atop our wall of achievements and accomplishments, giving little thought to doing anything else. However, with today's winds of change, it's pretty likely that sometime in our working lives we will find ourselves tumbling from our safe perch. What causes the great fall? For most of us, the great fall occurs when our job is eliminated through downsizing; our company is acquired or merges with another company, and the new situation no longer appeals to us; or our job stays the same, but we just can't get excited about it anymore. Although it's tempting to stick our heads in the sand and believe these situations can't happen to us, the truth is they are a common reality for many technologists. If you're at that career crossroads, there are six secrets that can help you put yourself back together again better than ever. The first secret is to accept that you must let go of things from the past. By its very definition, change begins with an ending. Acknowledge the loss and your feelings associated with it. Realize that it is perfectly normal to feel sadness and some confusion or chaos. Work through these feelings; don't deny or ignore them. Afraid to leave your current position? Why? Identify the beliefs, the "shoulds," that may be standing in your way. What are you telling yourself? Secondly, take a close look at your previous endeavors. Consider each of your past jobs a "test drive." What are the lessons that can be learned? What aspects did you enjoy? What things did you tolerate? What made your blood boil? What energized you? What were you most proud of accomplishing? Do you see any common threads appearing? Create time and space to reflect back upon a period in your life when you felt excited and energized. What was happening? The third secret is to get to know yourself really well. It's the best investment you can make in your future. Identify your skills. Listen to your desires. Write a list of your needs and wants. Look at the labels you've given yourself. Embrace your values and special gifts. Celebrate your passions. Liberate yourself from the beliefs you drag around like a ball and chain. Creating a destination with soul is the fourth secret. Just as change begins with an ending, change ends with a new beginning. Set your sights on a place where your head lines up with your heart--a place built upon the solid foundation of your values, special skills and unique gifts. Use your magic wand and paint the perfect setting for your future. What features from your previous "test drives" do you want to include? How can you best honor your values and share your gifts? Where do you want to be in five years? How do you want to be spending your time? What does your home look like? Who is in your life? How do you feel? Give yourself permission to write down your dreams. Don't skimp on the details. They are often the keys to unlocking joy. The fifth secret is to enjoy the journey. Now that you know who you really are and where you want to go, the next step is getting there. To make sure your trip is effortless, do some strategic planning before you start out. When's the best time to begin? Does it make sense to break the journey down into small pieces? What obstacles do you anticipate encountering? What's your plan for navigating around these obstacles? What type of resources do you need? What's a realistic and energizing timeline? How will you gauge your progress? As you head down the road, remember to look around. You don't want to be so focused on your plan that you miss out on wonderful and unexpected opportunities along the way. Finally, don't try to tackle this trip by yourself. While the concepts may sound simple, the process can be quite daunting. Realize it is possible to get from here to there without struggling. Jump-start your discovery process by partnering with someone who is objective, honest and dedicated to your success, such as a professional or personal coach or a career counselor. As the familiar saying goes, "It's difficult to see the picture when you're inside the frame." Working with an objective partner dramatically expands your perspective and keeps you anchored as you explore uncharted waters. Don't be afraid to seek support from your friends, family members and professional colleagues. Let them be a source of strength. Tap into the wealth of information that has been written on finding your perfect job. Bookstores, libraries and the Internet all contain valuable reference tools. Energy. Passion. Happiness. Balance. Peace. Joy. Today is a great time to live the life of your dreams. Prior to becoming business and personal coaches, Terri Levine and Kay Cannon spent 20 years in the rehab industry. They are now partners in an interdisciplinary coaching alliance dedicated to helping therapists. They can be reached at (215) 699-4949 (Levine) or (606) 296-1112 (Cannon). Reality Check: Where Does Your Career Stand? Respond "yes" or "no" to the following statements to determine where your career stands. Score one point for each "yes." Y N I love getting up in the morning and look forward to each day. Y N I can leave my job at work. Y N At the end of the day, I have as much energy as I did at the beginning. Y N I don't struggle to do my job; it is not a burden. Y N I am excited to tell others about my work. If you scored four points or higher, congratulations! Your current job or career suits you well. Are you creating extra reserves of time, money and community in case you need a parachute in the future? If you scored three points, that's pretty good; but something about your career or job is not quite right for you. Compare your current job to your ideal job. What's missing? If you scored two points or lower, take heart. Things can be better with a little work. Get to know yourself better. It's the best investment you can make. Consider who you are and what's really important to you.