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--Thomas Merton
A few weeks ago I was looking through some old boxes and I found this random saying on a piece of paper from a 'quote a day' calendar. Over a period of days I thought about this quote, and would pull out the now crumbled piece of paper and think on it. Every time I read it I thought, 'huh, this is SO true' and then I would stick it back in my bag and go about my day.
When I first started working with careers--I did a lot of work with values, interests, skills etc. The standard 'career stuff' but the more I worked with clients and talked to people I realized, it isn't so much that people don't KNOW what they want to do it is they don't know HOW to do it in the face of all the fear and self doubt that springs forth. And so in order to avoid the suffering they think the fear monger will cause, people continue doing a job they don't enjoy and living a life that is mediocre. Gradually, over the years (usually around the time they come to see me) they have an inkling that maybe living a life in avoidance of the fear isn't the answer, maybe the answer is figuring out how to face the fear and make small, tiny changes so they can be happier.
I love this quote by Thomas Merton because in a nut shell it describes my job and my role as a career counselor. My job is to help people ease their own suffering by helping them find ways to ease their fear around finding and then doing the career that makes their heart sing. When we aren't living a life that is congruent with our values, and fulfilling our life mission because we are too afraid, then slowly, gradually over time we will start to show signs of wear. Anxiety, fear, self doubt and negativity around all areas of our lives.will increase. These 'insignificant things' as Merton calls them begin to be a larger and more challenging obstacle then merely facing the fears of our dream work. You have heard the stories, someone is miserable in their life so they blame their wife and get a new one, they blame their job so they get a new one, or they blame the city they live in so they move. Gradually over time they become more and more miserable, never realizing that the whole time the 'blame' was on them for not being honest with themselves about where the change begins; with them facing their own fears.
So yes, my real job title is career counselor, but in a lot of ways I am like a fear counselor.
Need help figuring out what fears are holding you back? I can help. Click here to schedule your free 20 minute Get to Know you Session where we can talk on the phone and start facing your fears and allowing you to live happier!! Not in Columbus--no worries I also work via phone and skype!!
