The other day I had a message from an old business acquaintance. It started as a well-wishing, every success, etc message regards withoutlimit.co.uk. To that end I’ve been rather humbled by the volume of people who have stepped when it comes to support – thank you all!
The message pivoted in a direction from withoutlimit to the career journey that person had been on to this point versus where their passion was. This isn’t a direct quote but it went something like this….
‘I do feel we start our careers and drive towards the ideas of this earns me money, this feeds my family and provides the house/ school/ car etc. Then it’s that role that traps you in to believing that this role and only this career/ role will allow you to continue. Thus, the drifting into a pattern and drifting through your career. All a bit to deep for a Friday but fully support people who are brave to do want they want to do!!!’
Snoop had the best answer to his teacher when asked ‘what you wanna be when you grow up?’ he replied ‘I wanna be muther f***ing hustla’. If you’ve not heard it check out the first 45 seconds of Gz And Hustlas from his 1993 album, Doggy Style.
As a teenager I don’t recall being driven toward anything when it came to a career. My recollection of school careers advice is one of vagueness. I spent a week in a bank and a week in a restaurant. At the time the more interesting was the restaurant as I got to engage with people and did something physical. Both my parents worked at a bank - dad managed a branch. He went into the bank only because county cricket (his passion) didn’t pay well back in the sixties (small big up to my dad who played cricket for England under 19’s and later became an International Chess Grand Master). Mum was a cashier and I think she only did that because she needed a job after school and that was that. Neither had followed their passions. I’m not actually sure what my mum’s passion was aside wanting to be a loving parent (which is possibly the most profound and wonderful profession out there).
So many people go into something because they’ve followed a family member, or a friend works there. Or they just need a job. And once you’re in, the dreams of being a juggling unicyclist, marine biologist, historic researcher or whatever your passion gets lost in the ether.
A past mantra to my children has been one of future proofing. We’d discuss the changes tech has had on careers to-date and what might be around the corner that will take a present profession away while creating others. Nowadays I’m interested to know what their passions are and then help them with their learning choices to gain most from that passion.
What do you like doing to a point where you will do it without procrastination?
Of course we could all resign tomorrow and jump for our dream profession. I’m not suggesting this. But if you are now thinking about that past passion or, like teenage me, you had no idea what your passion was, then take a moment to think it over. Is it something you could or should explore now? After all – what better time is there than now?
A Career Life Coach is there to help you find that way forward. It could be that you desire to progress within what you’re doing today. To be the very best in your role or rise up the corporate ladder. It could be that you need to find a way to break out into something different. There are other avenues to explore your passions through voluntary and charitable work too.
Career coaches stay with you along the way and guide you to your goals. As a business owner friend recently said ‘my business has a coach come in once a month to keep us all in check’. We’re the mini-motivators to maintain the inspiration and get our kicks by watching you achieve.
So whether you know your passion-filled goal but can’t see how to go and get it or you need to find that goal then map out how to get there….reach out to a coach.
WithOutLimit is a Career and Life Coaching Service. Created in Royal Berkshire, UK. Digitally delivered to the world.
PS. If Snoop is a little too expletive for your taste try out the song, Ocean Pie, by Shed Seven.
Comments