Over 40? Is your work full of purpose?
April 14th,2006
By Craig Nathanson
The Vocational Coach
How do you define your work?
Do you look to your work to define meaning and joy or just to collect
a paycheck? Each carries a different result. Those who seek meaning
and joy in their work tend to choose carefully what they do; they
know what they do helps determine who they are. For others who work
just for the money, there is little expectation of meaning or
joy--just as long as the paycheck rolls in.
Career vs. vocational passion
In my work, I am often asked, 'What is the difference between Career
and Vocational Passion?'
Jobs are just an exchange of services for money.
Careers are the same but with a better title.
Sadly, for many people, jobs=careers=retirement=death.
Can you avoid death?
Probably not, but you can get more enjoyment and happiness out of
each and every day before you get there.
Vocational passion means having a life's work that you can do for
your whole lifetime without the need to ever retire.
Retirement is only for people who don't like what they do!
Want a quick path to death? Retire and wait.
Sure, there's much to do including travel, relaxing and visiting
friends, but this doesn't last long. For most of us, our later years
will also bring tension and anxiety about how to spend our days and
in many cases, how to make a contribution.
Get going before your crisis hits!
Claire Hegarty of Ireland wanted in mid-life to pursue her love of
animals and start a pet sitting business. But it wasn't until she
read about someone who became ill suddenly at the age of 41 and
dropped dead in the middle of a stressful presentation did she decide
to take action.
Jennifer Clare of Australia was middle aged and overweight. She had
little energy and little hope. One day, she decided to help herself
and others by turning her challenges into a business that helps other
people lose weight quickly through new creative strategies.
Are you on a path to just retire, too?
The French word for retire means to 'retreat, take out of
circulation, move away from, withdraw from' and 'rest'.
Is this what you want for the second half of your life?
Here's the best way to retire and then die.
- Worry about what others will think if you start to do what you love
- Look for approval from others
- Be afraid of change
- Wait for a crisis to occur
What happens in mid-life?
We re-evaluate everything from our relationships, our work, our
health, our finances and our emotional state. We need to recognize
that this is healthy and important to do.
How to gain purpose in your life now!
Realize that what you do determines who you are.
Is your work a reflection of who you are and/or want to be?
Mid-life is a great time to:
- Align your abilities and your interests
- Reflect deeply about what you are passionate about
- Ensure your work is maximally expressive of your passions
- Ensure your work meets your personal needs
- Ensure that the work you do feels just right for you
Is your purpose worth it to you?
Only you can be the judge.
Mid-life adults with purpose can experience:
- A greater sense of integrity and authenticity
- An experience of being more alive
- An increased feeling of contribution
- Stronger health and psychological well-being
- A life that's more congruent
- An acceptance of your own mortality and as a result, less fear of
death and a greater sense of your life plans and their meaning
- An increased sense of self-esteem and happiness
Choose a purpose
This is what Claire and Jennifer did and so can you.
The more important question is
'When will you start?'
Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect
Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over
forty. Craig's second book, Don't just retire and die, is due out at
the end of 2006. Craig's systematic approach, the trademark 'Ten P'
model, helps people break free and move toward the work they love.
Visit Craig's online community at www.thevocationalcoach.com where
you can sign up for a class or private coaching, or you can read
other stories of mid-life change and renewal. Craig works with
clients all over the world.
Craig can be reached at • craig@thevocationalcoach.com
Phone 415-457-0550
Fax 866-279-5544
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The Mid-Life Challenge: How to make meaning
and money in your second half of life
Time: Thursday, April 20th, 4 p.m. Pacific - One hour
This month's Topic: How to give yourself permission to follow your
heart and do what you love!
By the time people reach mid-life, somewhere between the ages of 40
and 55, it seems that they're one wake-up call away from questioning
everything. Issues with relationships, finances, health, and a
person's emotional state all tend to surface. These issues raise
levels of anxiety and questioning. However, the one area that usually
gets the most attention is work.
After all, the work we do often defines who we are. What happens,
though, if we suddenly wake up in mid-life to discover that we are no
longer content with what we do? We have a lot of responsibilities to
consider. So can we even consider a change?
Here's the key question to ask: If you are not happy with your work,
what can you do about it? Society and people in your inner circle
often do not help. But there are plenty of people around to offer
resume advice, career assessment testing, and job descriptions. But
do these new jobs come with self-actualization?
In April, Craig will interview Paulette Ensign, ala Booklet Queen
who in her mid-40's took a leap of faith to follow her heart.
With a professional organizing business that was taking longer to
close sales and the pressures of rent and food, Paulette created a
simple little booklet which changed the direction of her life.
Paulette Put it all together and today her booklets have sold over 1
million copies. It all started with a little idea and once she gave
herself permission, the rest is history. Paulette's energy and zest
for life will inspire you to give yourself permission to take charge
of your life.
www.tipsbooklets.com
Craig will also interview direct from Australia, Jennifer Claire.
Tired of being overweight and having tried every diet trick in the
world, Jennifer gave up. She gave up the traditional approaches that
is. Jennifer decided to dispel the myth that diet and exercise alone
is all that is needed to help people lose weight.
Today as the founder of www.stopweighting.com and the author of the
'No Sweat guide to Fitness'. You won't want to miss this interview!
Additionally, Craig will discuss his thoughts on how to give yourself
permission now to follow your heart and do what you love.
Bonus materials
Tele-class participants will also receive an exercise guide, a list
of creative strategies for dealing with life's major challenges at
mid-life, and a chance to listen while Craig and his guests discuss
strategies on how to make meaning and money in mid-life.
Once registered, you will be emailed access numbers and exercise
guides.
How To Order
April 20th, 2006
4 p.m. Pacific
Click here to sign up for the Tele-class
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Hi Craig,
Thanks for hosting the teleclass; it was informative and inspiring!
So much so that I grabbed my sixteen-year-old daughter, to listen in.
She has always wanted to work with animals and create her own
business, but in recent years has felt that there is no chance of
being successful at that. Your conversation with Cecelia helped; I
think her attitude is turning in a positive direction.
Did you think that you could capture the interest of a
sixteen-year-old? That's quite an achievement!
Keep up your wonderful work; for my part, I am on the sidelines,
cheering you on as well -
-Regards,
Colleen Salomon
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Hear Craig Speak in May!
Craig will be speaking at the National Association of Asian American
Professionals at the diversity career fair on Saturday May 6th in Santa Clara at the Tech Mart center. You can
check for more details at http://www.naaapsf.org
And
Thursday, May 4th 130 at the Dublin Ca library. You can find out more at:
http://www.csix.org/index.php?target=CSIXEastbay.php
Also, Craig is giving his popular workshop, How to discover and live
your vocational passion In Oakland Ca on Wednesday, May 10th, 630-930 pm
Check out more at:
https://www.conted.csueastbay.edu/ec2k/CourseListing.asp?master_id=789&course;_area=EXSP&course;_number=8345&course;_subtitle=00
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