How it All Began:
The first time I saw Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band play (in 1975) I realized that there were actually people in the world who absolutely loved what they did for a living. And, Bruce not only loved what he did for a living, he actually knew from an early age that music would be his “way out.” I had no idea that was possible. Hence, the beginning of my search to determine if it was feasible, plausible or probable to love what you do for a living. I can tell you that to this day, when I see Bruce and the E-Street Band play (and trust me, it is too many times to mention), I still ask myself “how many people are lucky enough to have found work they love so much?”
My career spanned multiple corporations and multiple consulting firms until I founded PeopleThink in 2000. PeopleThink focuses on career and leadership development. My dream was to help people become the “Bruce Springsteen” of their industry. If he could do it, why can’t others? As I began this quest I realized that most people don’t “plan” their career future. Lily Tomlin said it best, “I always knew I wanted to be someone when I grew up, I guess I should have been more specific.” Ain’t that the truth? I cannot tell you how many people end up in my office asking the question, “How did I get here?” and, “Now that I am here, how the heck do I get out of here?” I am always startled by the similarity in the stories. “I went to college, majored in whatever, got a job, moved up in the organization, liked the money, liked the title and figured it was forever.”
Career planning doesn’t seem to factor into most people’s lives. Time and time again I have been told, “I don’t even know where to begin to figure out what is next for me in my career.” And, as one can imagine, if you can’t figure out what the next steps are, it is very likely there will be NO next steps. Before you know it 6 months will have gone by, then 12 months and then you start your questioning all over again – “Is there something else I could be doing with my skills and expertise?” “There has just gotta be something better than what I am currently doing.” OK…I’ll think about that tomorrow. And, so the stories go…
It was these sort of stories that led to the birth of The Get Real Guide™ to Your Career. I realized that people need a process to begin their career search. They need some guidance to be planful, to dream a little, to recognize their strengths and pay attention to their natural talents in order to determine what could be next for them. It is difficult to look inside yourself, and to pat yourself on the back. A process allows you to do just that.
The Get Real Guide™ to Your Career workbook is built as a “full-service” career planning program with 5 Modules
- Taking Inventory – Who are you and how did you get here?
- Creating You – Now that you know, what do you want next?
- Designing Your Target Campaign – How much time, whom do you speak to, how do you put a plan together?
- Getting Out There – Now it’s time to start telling people what you want.
- Taking Charge of Your Career – Don’t stop now…you’ve got to continually think about “what is next.”
I hope I can help some of you become the “Bruce Springsteen” of your industry. I will be working through the modules of The Get Real Guide to provide helpful ways to get off your backside, to be clear and concise about next steps, and to put a meaningful career plan in place. If you are thinking “oh no…anything but this…” relax a bit. Stretch yourself. Have some fun with it and let’s get moving. If not now, when?
