The Power of Master Minding for Job Seekers

The power of just what masterminding can do really came through with a recent comment from a member of my Career Transition Club. She’s been out of work for several months and just joined this group of mid-level professionals looking for positive change in their work lives. She said during her introduction that she looks forward to coming to the meetings because before now, she was so isolated and cut off from anyone in the same situation that could really understand her predicament. Now she comes to the weekly meetings knowing she’ll be surrounded by fellow job seekers who can relate to her, offer sound advice, and have her best interests at heart. Just knowing that others are cheering her on and want her to succeed makes all the difference to her.

Wow. When I formed this group, I knew that bringing people together to talk about the challenges of being unemployed, overqualified, and having to search for work in a tough job market would at least benefit by hearing what others are going through at the same time. What I continue to realize each week is that the benefits go even deeper than that. There’s solace in being with people, perhaps strangers at first, who have a common bond of living with the same set of circumstances. There’s a powerful camaraderie that comes from connecting with others outside of our usual circle of family and friends - objective outsiders looking in on us with fresh eyes seeing things we may not.

What I witness each week that far outweighs my original intention is the spirit of masterminding at its finest. A group of people otherwise feeling isolated and without resources while in the uncomfortable place of seeking work walk out of the meeting chatting, laughing, and sharing ideas with each other about what they might do next. I watch in quiet admiration at the evolution of these individuals as they develop into that supportive uplifting cohesive group that accomplishes so much together because they were drawn out of their isolation into a much better place.

Please comment on how group support has helped you during a job search.

Whys and Hows of Passion in Work

“My highest calling is that which animates me”
The topic of discussion at recent Career Transition Club meetings has been about integrating our passions into our work, but first comes the tough job of figuring out what they are. This quote from some work I did last year through the Noble Purpose program offers a simple reminder and way to identify those passions.

The question often comes up about following a passion that requires leaving a stable income- generating job. Where does passion fit into that scenario? My answer is that determining what facets of your current job feed your passions is where you should focus and spend more time doing those activities. That’s where you are lit up, excited, and fully engaged; in another word- animated.

So, what specifically are you doing at work when you’re having fun, not watching the clock, and completely focused on the task at hand? Pay attention to those things. That’s where your passions lie.

Why passion at work? Imagine being happier, fully utilizing your skills and strengths (which are often directly connected to passions), and actually looking forward to doing what you do for a living! And further, imagine the by-products of that – more energy and positive outlook shared with friends and family, even strangers when you're on your own time. As we prepare to enter into a new year, spend some time focusing on your passions, those places where you are animated and living life to its fullest.

Have a story to share about how you're living and working your passions? Drop me a comment.