After a discussion with my very supportive wife, Beth, I decided to leave and take a year off – a sabbatical of sorts.  My plan was to:

1. finish a Life Coaching certification program I was in
2. start a Life Coaching business for “Young Professional Men” (what is now SuccessCoachingforMen.com)
3. assess what I wanted to do next in my career

Up until last month, I worked hard at #1 and #2 with some good success.  But, I realized something after a great coaching session last week with Beth: after nearly 9 months, it was time to get serious and start working hard at #3.

Here’s the thing – I love Life Coaching. It is the single greatest tool I know to help people create positive change and more success in their life.  However, I can’t do it all day from home without going a little bit crazy.  And I never intended it to be my long term career.  I want to be in and around a talented team of people with big goals and the drive to achieve them.

So, I did what one would naturally do to get back into the corporate world – I started surfing the Internet looking for a new role.

And, after one week of looking around at the job market, talking to people, and even having a couple of interviews, here is my conclusion: THE JOB SEARCH IS TOUGH. Especially if you haven’t gotten this question sorted out: WHAT DO I WANT?

And, for me, this is a tough question to answer as I am not exactly, 100% sure what I want.  Which makes looking for roles, talking to recruiters and HR people as well as applying for online job postings pretty difficult.  I think the Chesire Cat says it best:

Alice: Oh, no, no. I was just wondering if you could help me find my way.
Cheshire Cat: Well that depends on where you want to get to.
Alice: Oh, it really doesn’t matter, as long as…
Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn’t matter which way you go.

Okay, Ches, I know partly what I want… I want a role that combines my love for selling, coaching, and leadership in a dynamic, high energy, fast paced environment with strong, visionary leaders that innovate, mentor, and develop their young talent.

Am I asking for a lot? You bet I am. So, here’s my plan to find it:

1. Use social media tools, the web, and my personal network to connect with cool companies and super duper cool people.
2. In person, over the phone, through Twitter, or by e-mail ask them three questions:

a. How did you get started in this company/job/industry?
b. What do you love best about your job and company?
c. What has been the key to your success?

Basically, I want to make this job search into an adventure simply by connecting with and sharing ideas with as many interesting people as possible.  By tapping into what these talented people are passionate about, I am hoping to learn more about myself and where I would be a good fit.

And, through this Blog, I plan to share with you what I learn about on this journey.  So, let’s do this!

Lovely ladies. Lovely advice. What could be better?

You’ve heard of Dear Abby. Now it’s time for ‘Dear Andrew…’

Today’s question:

Dear Andrew,

I hate my job. I have no idea what to do. Help me.

Signed,

Harold 

Harold, my man – first, decide to do something about it instead of just complaining to yourself and all your friends.  Second, pick one of these 2 options: 

Option 1 – identify another job within your company (or at another company) that you want. Ensure that this job covers off the things about your current job that you HATE.  Then, put a plan in place to get there. 

Option 2 – accept that you will never like working in a corporation and start your own side business which may some day evolve into a full time gig.  Answer these three questions:

1. What are you really, really freaking good at?
2. What is a problem you see (with your co-workers, friends, family, neighbours, strangers, etc) that you are passionate about?  Describe for me a person suffering from this problem.  
3. What is one simple way you can help them solve this problem?

Then, call me so we can discuss how you can turn this problem/solution scenario into a business that actually makes money.   

Sound cool?

Your Friend,

Andrew

Other really good stuff:

1. Amazing video from Gary Vaynerchuk on doing stuff that you love. Gary talks about building your personal brand based on what you are passionate about.

2. Check out great blog sites like Escape from Cubicle Nation or the Illuminated Mind.    

3. ‘I Quit’ - what happened to me on the day I quit my 9-5 job.

MEN: I am sick of hearing you complain about your life.  I am  especially tired of hearing these two lame excuses:

• Why can’t I find the right woman?
• Why do I hate my job so much?

The problem is not women, society, your company, or your boss.

It’s you.

You can do something about it, however.  What if there was a way you could find (and keep) both a girlfriend and a job using the same method at the same time?

There is.

Get my free report ‘8 Steps to Finding (and Keeping) a Girlfriend and a Great Job’ at my Coaching website: http://www.successquestions.ca

While you’re at, call me at (604) 682-4129 to talk about what’s happening in your life and how I can support you through it. 

You were not meant to go through life on your own – I am here to help – all you need to do is ask.