We all have days when we wake and think, ‘I can’t face going to work’.  You get up, see to the kids, your husband, etc. travel into work and go through the motions. 

Is this really how you envisaged your career?

No?  Then address your ‘inner voice’ and plan the necessary changes to steer your career path on an alternative course – changes that will bring a new dynamic to your working life.

Firstly, stop daydreaming.  We all need to feel emotionally and psychologically fulfilled in our life; we spend a lot of time in the workplace and with our colleagues.  Some of us just fell into the industry or job we’re currently in; be honest with yourself and consider the following, to determine what you’d really like to do:

• What transferable skills do you have?
• What is the likelihood of being employed in another sector?
• Are your skills up-to-date?
• How will you come across in an interview?
• What salary does the desired job attract? 

I have always recommended that as an individual, you need to take the impetus to ‘up-skill’ – go on courses, ask your employer for training, or request a temporary transfer to another department.  To be seen as a valuable staff member, you need to be multi-skilled and talented – a bit like a chameleon.  

Remember, if you are changing industry sector, (where you will be unknown professionally) you will need to have key skills, in terms of work performance and success; interviewers want to know specifics so they can transfer that information into a value for their business. 

If you feel unhappy in your current job but simply don’t know the best way forward – then stay put!  Look at what you feel inspired by in the workplace – what makes you feel creative and enthused?  Look at previous appraisal feedback you’ve had from your direct supervisor – what have been your particular professional successes, where did your employer feel you added value to the business? 

You also need to look practically at your lifestyle; some people are happy burning the candle at both ends but many people have personal commitments to consider.   Do not embark on a change of circumstances if it is not going to be worthwhile, both emotionally and financially.  We all need to make sacrifices at times in our lives, it’s about knowing what’s important, and what’s not. 

I would encourage anyone in this situation to seek professional interview guidance.  Sometimes, we’re oblivious to our behaviour and posture, body language, etc. – a professional interview coach will direct your conduct, evoke questions to ask at interview, offer CV guidelines, etc. and draw relevant information from your working background and achievements  so that you can present yourself effectively.

If you are planning a change of industry or a side step into a new career, don’t assume you can command the same salary that you currently receive.  Do your research, contact the HR department of organisations you would like to work for and ask the question, ‘What salary does XYZ job command?’.  This research alone may determine if you are able to pursue this path. 

The most important thing, I feel, from personal experience, is…..to give it time.  Changing career or direction may feel like ten steps backwards to go one step forward but if you are pursuing your dream it will be worth it eventually.

We all do a fabulous job – if we genuinely enjoy what we do for a living. Don’t stick with a lousy career – take a step back, look at the situation realistically and then ask yourself: ‘What am I going to do, today, to improve my situation?’.

Louise Wightman – Approach The Coach is a registered Coach based in Glasgow.  Her email address is louise@approachthecoach.co.uk and her mobile number is 07739 345803.  Website is http://www.approachthecoach.co.uk

If you look at it this way, for even just a moment, we have always been selling or trying to get people to agree with us!

In my article published on STV Career Advice Page ‘Reinvention for 2011′, I spoke about clearing out the ghosts of the past,  settings goals and objectives for self. 

It is worthwhile imagining a mirror in front of ourselves and asking first and foremost ‘Do we like ourselves?’ and also ‘How are we perceived by others?’.  If you are honest with yourself, how many times do you make up your mind about something, without knowing all the facts?’  Our brain plays a cinema in our head, all the time!

Perceive yourself as others do, and you can make meaningful, and strategic changes to your behaviour that will make a lasting impression on everyone that you interact with on a daily basis.

Successful sales people will naturally build lasting relationships with people.  Pay attention to family, friends and work colleagues behaviour, watch how people react to them – it is amazing what you will observe.

It doesn’t cost us anything to have manners and deal with people fairly and respectfully.  Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

Have a good day, Louise

‘If your business doesn’t already have a strong social media presence, it’s time to get with the network.  A whopping 78% of respondents to a recent survey by Wired Magazine and 1&1 Internet said they’d expect businesses to be active in social media for brand recognition on the web.

The survey detailed that;

89% of consumers surveyed said consistent branding online should be high on a company’s priority list.

67% of consumers ranked Facebook and Twitter as the top social networks for engaging with companies.

46% said multimedia platforms like YouTube, blogs and forums are effective in online branding.

So, to be socially acceptable, be socially expected!

Have a great day, Louise

http://programmes.stv.tv/new-year-new-you/feel-good/new-you/222468-life-or-business-coaching-which-one-is-for-you/

http://programmes.stv.tv/new-year-new-you/feel-good/new-you/222463-get-some-coaching-for-your-life/

Best wishes, Louise

No-one’s going to do it for us – so why not let the New Year evoke a New You?

Reinvention is about taking control of your own destiny, developing your self-confidence and finding the determination that will carve out your own future.  Though there are those that don’t believe in the ‘Law of Attraction’ or ‘The Giant Within’, don’t let this worry you; the only thing you need to believe in is yourself!

2009 and 2010 have been turbulent years for many people; some have lost their jobs, their homes and personal relationships may have broken down due to stress and the impact of the economy on our lives.  My advice is to take those unexpected shakeups or turbulence and make them the inspiration for growth.  Be true to yourself and you can be amazed at what you will see and achieve.

What you have learned throughout life, to date, will not guarantee your future.  To know where you’re going, it’s important to take stock of  what you have achieved, what you have learned, how this has shaped you – and look at ways you can improve yourself via reinvention.

Ask yourself:

1.      Are you happy in your current job?

2.      Do family, friends and colleagues enjoy being in your company?

3.      Are you happy in your personal relationship?

4.      Do you have habits that are impacting your life?

5.      When you speak – are you heard by others?

6.      Do you live on the ‘If only I had…’ island?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, then invest in your own personal reinvention.  Break the negative patterns of previous years and make 2011 a time of change – in the right direction.

Louise Wightman is a Qualified Coach and works as a Business Consultant.  She is based in Glasgow and works freelance.  Her website is www.consultancypersonnel.com and her email address is louise@consultancypersonnel.co.uk