Anyone over 40 knows of the “the rat race” and the pipe dream for many, at least back in the 1980s/1990s of escaping from it. Most thought their work destiny inevitably led to commuting to a large organization, playing corporate warrior, and then repeating. Daily and endlessly. Having to deal with face time, organizational politics, […]
Read MorePeter Diamandis, author of Bold and Abundance believes that there are three components necessary for happiness and success: purpose, autonomy, and mastery. Diamandis has led a career filled with happiness and success (see X Prize). Purpose: Most work has drudgery. The “why” you work will get you through the challenging parts of your day. Years ago, I was […]
Read MoreJared is an attorney in New Haven, Connecticut. I’m not sure if he is a functional alcoholic or just someone who drinks too much. He drinks a few scotches at the end of each workday and, on the weekend, a lot more. When I asked him why he drinks so much, he responded that […]
Read MoreWhen buffaloes see a storm coming, they charge directly into the storm. They continue into the storm’s path as the storm approaches the herd. Of course, at some point, they get wet as the storm passes but since the herd is going in the opposite direction, they get rained upon as little as possible. When […]
Read MoreI have noticed an increasing uptick in the number of career counseling inquiries from spouses of potential career counseling clients. I don’t think this is due to the increasing number of concerned spouses but rather from greater awareness that unhappy careers lead to unhappy personal lives and, of course, unhappy marriages. I remember one client […]
Read MoreYears ago, a friendly acquaintance of mine ran for Congress. He was very young and a heavy underdog. To run, he left his relatively high paying job and spent his savings. He was not from a rich family so this was real money. Ultimately, he was soundly beaten. Sounds like he made a career mistake […]
Read MoreThe post World War II corporate America confused Americans about the American Dream. The original American dream was the promise of upward economic mobility through creating one’s own path. And, by own path, I mean starting a business. Those farmers and merchants of the 19th century were not dreaming of climbing a corporate ladder since there […]
Read MoreI just watched The Prince of Pennsylvania, based on the true story of John DuPont. It is the documentary of the same story told in the recent movie Foxcatcher for which Steve Carrell takes a dramatic turn and received an Oscar nomination. Even if you are not familiar with the movie, you likely have heard the name DuPont, one […]
Read MoreSteve Jobs made the sage remark about our inability to connect the dots going forward.” I think of these wise words whenever a career counseling client faces uncertainty. At my best, I embrace this philosophy and view life as an adventure. At my worst, I am in control mode and feel anxious when I don’t […]
Read MoreCareer change requires an enormous amount of energy. Having worked with successful career changers over the last decade, I can say with certainty that those who were inspired had the greatest likelihood of changing. Abraham Maslow, the great psychologist of self-actualization fame, claimed that the story of the human race is the story of people […]
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