You’ve been blessed with certain tools to effect change in the world and in the process receive compensation. The more excellent and or skilled you become using these gifts, the larger your capacity for influence and your ability to receive higher rewards for your work.

I had the privilege to listen to Adlan Cruz perform. This gifted Latin American pianist gets to travel the world performing before varied state dignitaries, compose music and also assist on developing the score for various movies. But you know what he talked about the most. He said he spent hours as a child practicing, honing his craft, learning from the masters. Yet when he wanted a creative boost he would watch TV with his little brother Omar, and listen to all the music of the various sitcoms, cartoons and movies to get his inspiration. What do you do to boost your creativity?

Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.  We avoid the ideas we are presented with because we immediately assume it’s failure. Our humanness says its negative, impractical, unrealistic and it gets chucked before we’ve thoroughly evaluated it for its merits (and de-merits).

Natalie Zaun of Pursenally Yours began her custom designed purse company while an English teacher. Today her nationwide million dollar company  she began in 2007  allows her to maintain her stay at home status. She knew she loved to sew and got her inspiration by hanging out some friends designing purses on the weekend. Want to learn how you to can boost your creativity?

How to Boost Creativity?

1. Start and Maintain an Idea Log. This could be in the form on an actual notebook or you could opt for more modern options like notes on your ipod and recorded voice notes on your cellphone. Whatever you decide the key is to be consistent and make it something you can do easily. Whenever an idea pops into your mind, just log it and return to it in 24 hours. If after 24 hours it still seems like a good idea then research it.
2. Pay attention to your Environment. Observe the trends in society. Listen to the complaints of your friends and family. As I watch the news I see everyone’s concern about the current heat wave hitting the east coast of the USA. I immediately thought now will be a good time to invest in an ice cream truck and slushie stand. It’s obvious people are still going outdoors and I just want to help them cool off.   Can you think of any ways to help people manage their summer outdoor activities while dealing with this unbearable heat?
3. Join a group. If your creativity is suffering from shyness joining a group of like-minded individuals who will provide honest feedback while supporting you on your plan of action is the way to go. You will steer off course if your circle of influence rejects your ideas and  your attempts to think outside the box. Occasionally you may find you don’t need to change your act only your audience.
4. Listen to your inner child. Children have the unique advantage of thinking out loud without fear of rejection or any other learned behaviors that hold back adults. It was once said that if you want to solve a problem, give it to a group of 5 year olds and see what they come up with. Without fear, constraints and negative emotional baggage, you will see an exponential increase in your creativity.
5. Get negative. Describe in detail what you don’t like about your current job and get really wild and toss in characteristics of a job from hell. Once you’re done describing it, do a 180 degree. Describe your dream job as being the complete opposite of what you described. This act alone could mean the difference between the creation of your creativity oasis or creativity wilderness.
6. Read or Do something you’re not used to doing. Sometimes you may become so bogged down in your routine you lose sight of all that life has to offer. This shuts down your ability to be creative. The goods news this can easily be reversed  by just doing something different. If you’re a science fiction addict then try romance or business journals. It just helps with your perspective. In the end perspective is key to maintaining and building your creativity.
7. Play games. Here’s a game offered by Harvey Mackay . Try this exercise:  Look at two items on your desk right now and figure out a way to put them together.  A clock radio and a coffee mug, for instance, could be turned into a coffee mug with a clock on it, maybe at the bottom.  This won’t necessarily generate a useful idea, but it will train your mind to see different possibilities.

YOU NEED YOUR OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENT!

Everything on this planet has and needs an optimal environment for peak performance. The earth needs to be tilted at the right angle and positioned at the perfect distance from the SUN or this planet would never be able to sustain life. Plants need sun, soil and water to produce beautiful flowers. Fish need water. Athletes need the correct diet and training regimen to excel.  You get the point? You need the proper environment to excel, to feel “at home” at work and to be satisfied.

HERE’S THE SCIENCE …

Holland’s RIASEC theory supports this view. He believed that certain personality types created a work place environment which compliments their personality. As a result they were more successful and satisfied. So if you feel like you don’t belong you could be trying to fit yourself into a square hole when you may be a round peg. I know our society in theory talks about everyone being an individual and valuing the individual. Yet in reality we all try to be the same. We conform in our attire, our homes, our cars and even in our career choices. The pressure from your friends, family and significant others could box you in to a career choice that you are not uniquely qualified to perform.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT…

If you’re not happy about your career path, you are most likely in the wrong place and doing the wrong things. It’s because you’re not following your passions, interests, inclinations and gifts. We all have a natural career path. With a little creativity, imagination, enthusiasm and effort you can find work that is profitable, satisfying and compatible with who you are. If you’re not excited, enthusiastic and rewarded about what you do, the beautiful thing about being human is you can choose to change today.

If you would like to discover  your ideal environment for development, career satisfaction and a prosperous life be sure to sign up for the Great Job Escape Plan and get access to Finding Your True Calling e-book. A 100 page workbook full of inspiration and exercises to get you to where you dream about being.

This post was written by Charlene Nora, your Personal Development Coach and Career Transition Mentor, on 7/19/2010. To claim your FREE guide to weekly career change tips click on the link to enter your email information.

Career Change On The Back Burner?

How long are you going to keep quiet though? You have these creative ideas and as of this moment, they only bounce around in your head. You see people like Alice Patton, a 38 year old breast cancer survivor who is going to be paid to travel around the world as she works in the spa on the cruise liner. You wonder, just a bit, Could you possibly make your dreams come true? Is it really possible for fun and work to go together?

Last month, Phyllis Korkki of the the NY Times reported new entrepreneurs are not willing to give up their new freedom. “ Once they taste having more control over their lives, they never go back.”  I think they never go back because they are  committed to their success. They are committed to having the life they dreamed of for so long. There is only one animal in nature that is incapable of going back.

Can't Go Back!

The mighty kangaraoo! A little science lesson here. At an average weight of 200 pounds, it can reach speeds of 60mph. Did you know the word Kangaroo is derived from an Aboriginal phrase meaning ” I don’t understand” or “I don’t know”.  I wouldn’t understand if I saw the largest animal that only moves by hopping and is incapable of going backwards.

 If you ever feel like turning your back on your dreams. If you ever feel like throwing in the towel, think of the animal known for its powerful legs and its cute little pouch.  Once it’s started its journey it just keeps hopping. No retreat, no second guesses no “I wonder ifs”.  It sets a course and starts going.  Are you a kangaroo?

If you’re not ready to surrender your dreams to time and you’ve made a committment to yourself to do whatever it takes to have career success without a job, then contact me today to get started on your natural career path.

Most people fear change because of its uncertainty. I mean how exactly are you supposed to enjoy career success without a job? How are you supposed to make a living without a job? Instead of trying to follow your passions on your path to profit, you will stay in a job you hate for “security”. You will leave your ideas on the table and head out to work to help someone else fulfill their dreams. Career Transitions fail because of 2 reasons.

1. Failure to use your strengths to your advantage.
2. Inappropriate assessment of the situation.

But in the case of a Career Change, here’s how to make a Lebron James Type Decision and be successful:

1. Lebron asked for his mother’s blessing, guidance and support.  She told her son whatever decision would make him happy, would make her happy.  He was smart enough to know he needed the help and assistance of someone who cared enough about him not to be selfish. Do you have a trusted mentor, guide, friend who’ll help and standby you? When you want to be successful, trust yourself to make the right decision. The truth is when you make decisions that align with your values, priorities and character strengths you’ll never be wrong.
2. Make What You Want A Priority. There are many who scoff at the idea of “King James” walking away from 30 million dollars. Look, money is money. Whether it’s $300,000 or $3o million. He says he wants a ring.  For him the ultimate career success is to have a NBA championship. He walked away from all that was familiar to join a team who shares his goals, his dreams and his vision of success.  Before you do anything, get clear on what success looks like to you. Find the courage to define success on your terms. Once you are clear on what you want, then make achieving happiness a priority. That’s the only way to get what you want.
3. Count the Cost. There is a price to pay for every major life decision you make. Some decisions carry more weight on them and hence the cost is higher. You may have to change to have what you want. Or you may have to relocate. I’m not certain what the price will be for you but you know what it will be. Once you’ve made the choice then don’t procrastinate. You’ve made the commitment so do whatever it takes for you to achieve success.
4. Keep it a Secret (while you line up your ducks in a row). John Maxwell believes before any dream can become a reality you should have a “dream team” in place to help you achieve your goals. In addition, you should have a clear strategy to achieve it. Even though there will be no media hype surrounding your career decision, protecting your dream or vision should be a priority. Surrounding yourself with naysayers or sharing your goals too early will kill your dreams before you even had a chance to make it a reality.
5. Don’t Burn Bridges. Lebron’s failure to share his decision with his former employer before sharing it with the world was probably not in the best taste. Before you leave, be fair. Be honest. You never know how your former employer will help you in the future so don’t be too hasty in your retreat.

If you would like to change careers to work that satisfies you and helps you achieve the goals you view as success, be sure to contact me for your 20 minute Career Transition Evaluation. Go to this page and claim your spot today!

This post was updated on 7/12/2010 by Charlene Nora your Profit From Your Passions Coach.

Have you ever heard a song on the radio that reminded you of your first kiss, first victory, first anything? Have you ever wondered HOW you were able to transport yourself to that time and place. The memory becomes  so alive in your imagination. You immediately feel the exact feelings you felt at that particular event. Then the song stops. The mood changes and you scramble to hold on to the pleasant emotional state you’re in. But it’s gone!

Did you know you can do that on demand whenever you’re afraid of trying something new? You see career change scares the bravest because they tried to change once and they failed. The magnitude of  “what-ifs” accompany the inspired thoughts and images of what your life could (and should) look like. So how do you combat those feelings of  “I’m not smart enough” or  “I’m not good enough”? How do you create an emotional state that gives you the boost to reach for your freedom?

Make A List (and check it often)

Anthony Robbins believes “the surest way to create a belief that you can do something is to do it once, just once”. I have to agree with that. So if you’re struggling with the thoughts of inadequacy or wondering if you can really make money doing what you love, make a list of every time you’ve been successful.

Don’t censor the list. Jack Canfield says that everyone should start their success list with “learned to ride a bike”. That’s a huge accomplishment considering I don’t know how to ride a bike. So if you can do that I’m impressed. Go ahead make a list of every thing you’ve accomplished. Even graduating high school. Not everyone has done that either.

Review this list often. As often as possible until you believe that you can be successful at whatever you decide to do on your new career path.

Make a new vision for your life.

FOCUS = Clarity

What does success look like to you? If you followed your natural passions, interests, skills and talents and did what brought you the most fulfillment, what would that look like? Go ahead imagine it and describe in detail what it looks like. Here are some questions to get you going?

1. Who are you working with?
2. Where are you working?
3. What are you doing?
4. How do you feel?
5. How has doing this improved your health, relationships and financial well-being?

If you take the time to clarify what you want, and believe with passion and certainty that you can have it then its yours. If you can turn on the radio and be transported to a time and place that occurred and relive the experience then you can “re-live” the future. You work towards your future. Life does not just happen. You are either moving forward or backward but you are moving. So choose to move forward.

I can’t train you to have vision. It’s your vision and only you can see it. But when you do see it clearly, it is because the tools, strategies, resources and people will be made available to you to achieve it. Continue to engage these powerful events in your mind (past success and future expectations) and you will take action to have what you believe you can have. What are some of the beliefs you have about what’s possible for your career change? Feel free to leave your comments or questions. I’ll be sure to create a new post for you to answer them.

Ready to create your future one day at a time? Ready to experience freedom? Then claim your 30 minute income -generating brainstorming session with me today. Schedule your appointment by clicking on this link.

This post was written by Charlene Nora your Career Change Mentor on 7/7/2010. Clarify, Crystallize, Prepare and Profit.

Get an “education”? What KIND?

Usually the word education conjures up images of classrooms, rote memorization and one way discussions. That is institutionalized learning. This type of learning is for those who only want to make a living. The education you need if you want to have a life and earn income to support that life is quite different. Self-directed education will make you a fortune. It is because it is wisdom that you’re really acquiring. And wisdom is simply the ability to make the correct decision at the right time.

With self-directed education you focus on acquiring the skills or knowledge you need that will advance your goals. It begins with understanding what you don’t know. Once you know what you don’t know, then it becomes easier to identify which opportunities are the best to accept. This filter gives you the power to gain the practical tools to accomplish your dreams.

WHAT’S THE RESULT?

Educate To Escape!

When you have really learned, it would mean a change in behavior. No longer will you be hiding behind the fear because now you will know exactly what to do and when to do it. If you don’t know HOW to achieve what you want, learn HOW to. One way to do that is by research. What do you want to do?

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SUCCESSFUL!

Success is not a flirty mistress trying to escape you. It leaves clues but you have to be willing to identify them and take action when you find the clues. Just DO what successful people have done and you will have success. From business men to athletes, it’s all the same action of modeling what another successful person, to gain the same results, until you find your unique factor and own it. “If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around” Jim Rohn.

Here’s are 7 tips to Getting a Self Education That Gives You A Fortune:

1. Read 1 hour per day on the subject that interests you. I maintain this practice even today. I’m currently reading The Paradox of Choice, The One Minute Entrepreneur and Good Business.
   
2. Read everything the leading authorities in that field or industry has ever written. When I wanted to learn about developing revenue from your interests I read everything Dan Miller and Ernie Zelinski wrote. Their work aligns with my philosophy that doing work you love vastly improves your earning potential.
   
3. Review the information you’re gathering twice a day. Without careful study and review, there is a tendency to forget all the great information we acquire. Without taking the time to meditate on what you’ve learned it’s easy to diminish its value and not act on the inspiration you receive.
   
4. At the end of the day, list one action you will take the next day based on the information you’ve acquired.
   
5. TAKE ACTION.
6. Request the help of a coach, mentor, accountability partner, whatever it takes to keep you focused and on track. When I wanted to learn more about coaching, I learned from Valorie Burton. When I wanted to learn more about making money without a job-job, I learned from Valerie Young. If you want to accelerate your success, invest in yourself and learn from those who are where you want to be. Is there anyone that has done anything close to what you want to do? Carefully examine everything they’ve done. Use what’s useful, learn from their mistakes, improve or innovate on what they did that could be improved.
7. Rinse and Repeat. In other words, don’t stop learning.

Now acquiring knowledge without action is just information. The purpose of knowledge is to help you break free of the beliefs that have held you captive for some time. But if you just sit on the knowledge then you’re still in the same place you were when you started this. I’ll tell you though, knowledge precedes motivation. So learning about other successful people, learning from successful people, acquiring the templates to achieve your own success is more than likely to cause you to take positive action and acquire new beliefs that will cause you to achieve the success you crave without a job-job. If you can read, think and hear you can be successful.

Most of our lives are governed by beliefs about possibility or success or happiness that we’ve picked up unconsciously over the years. ~Anthony Robbins

Stay tuned for the final installment!

This post was written by Charlene Nora on 7/7/2010. If you’re interested in learning HOW to turn your interests into income, be sure to claim your FREE 30 minute consultation today.

Have you ever thought I can’t have fun and work at the same time? Maybe you believe that you can’t relax and work? Maybe you believe that you really can’t make money by helping people? What’s the one thought that’s keeping you in that place you hate? Can your work really be play? You say it’s the mortgage, it’s the bills, it’s the kid’s college tuition, it’s the “everything excuse” for not changing. But beyond the words you say, what is really tying you to that role you’re playing?

Nothing Good Ever Happens To ME!

Have you thought that’s not going to happen to me? It’s not that you are fascinated by this green colored paper we call money. You’re want what the money represents. I’m not quite sure what having the money will mean to you. Is it a month long Caribbean vacation? a yacht? A bigger and fancier house? Better clothes? It really is about your belief around money and what it can do for you.  Career Success will be what having this money represents. Having the money represents the power to do what you want, when you want if you want. So you stay on your job where you can’t do what you want, when you want if you want and you hate it. But at least you have the money. You hate where you are, what you’re doing and you don’t explore any other options to get this “thing” you want. Seems odd doesn’t it? Not really. It’s your belief that’s keeping you stuck in that rut. If you think the only way to make money is by having a job then you’ll stick to that job to have the money. If you believe that your idea is a waste of time, then it is.

If anything were to happen to that job your world will be rocked like nothing you’ve ever known.  Tom Rath in WellBeing suggests the hardest “event” to return from is unemployment. It’s effects are damaging for many years. Beyond the financial, it affects the emotional, physical and mental states more than death.

What if I said by not changing you’re not having the “things” that money represents. The belief that being successful means having more “stuff” is only a minor aspect of success. Good success hinges on your ability to fully engage your purpose with your belief that you have the power (energy and faith) to produce success. If you don’t take the time to define your own success with a clear strategy to bring it about, then you’re helping someone else to have a successful life. When asked what success looks like it’s easy to say a house, car, extensive wardrobe etc. When asked what does success look like to you? It becomes different. It’s different because you think I could never have that, or I don’t really want (because I’ll rather not hope for it and be disappointed).

I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT?

People who say they don’t know what they want, actually believe they can’t have what they think

Hate Your Job But Stuck?

they want. It’s all in your belief. This is beyond positive thinking, it’s more about positive action towards the realization of your dreams. It’s about changing your beliefs to change your actions and ultimately to change your life. I’m not talking about beliefs like religion. Rather I’m talking about the deeply rooted convictions you’ve gathered over the years that precede your action (or inaction).

WHICH COMES FIRST: A THOUGHT OR ACTION?

You don’t just act. Before you act or react there is a thought that triggers the physical response. But before that thought is a belief. So if you want to change careers and change your life, it begins with changing your belief about career success, about how to make money and most importantly about how you think success and your life should look. When you say you can’t do something, you give a command to your brain to not do it. Don’t even try. Don’t even take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. You’ve essentially create a “scotoma” – a metaphorical psychological term for blind spot. It’s your inability to perceive a personality trait in you that are obvious to others. So even if I can see you being successful and making money without a job-job, if you can’t see it then it’s not going to happen.

 HOW DO I CHANGE BY BELIEFS? HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO CHANGE?

If you want to change your beliefs, the first step is to change your environment.  I don’t mean relocating. I mean changing your immediate environment. Like a plant needs soil, earth and sun to grow, so too you need an “environment”  to grow, develop and thrive. If you’re surrounded by people that think average and are averse to taking charge of their life then chances are you will be just like them.  If you’re watching or listening to information that is in no way challenging you, encouraging you or pushing you forward, then stop doing it.

“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?” ~                                                                                                                                                                          W. Clement Stone

There are at least 2 more things you can do to guarantee career success. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for part 2. Oh and be sure to leave your comments, I love to hear from you. This post was written by Charlene Nora on 7/7/10. If you’re interested I do offer a FREE one-on-one consultation if you want to discover how to make money doing what you love without a job-job. Go here to schedule your consultation today.

What will make you happy? Do you know which group has the leading rate of suicide? Did you guess- Lottery winners? You’re right. It appears that even after they cashed in their windfall, 6 months after the big win, the “sadness” returns, the emptiness and the despair. All the studies suggest that if you’re poor and you get more money, there is a moderate increase in the level of happiness. If you are already “OK” then money has been shown to only increase happiness by a minute amount. If the pursuit of “things” is your main focus, your career change may not be what you thought it would be. In the end, there will be something else you need to attain to plug the happiness hole.

How do you achieve HAPPINESS? Once all your basic needs are met and you feel this longing inside for something more, how do you find the happiness and satisfaction that comes from doing something that matters? Here are 5 steps to obtain the happiness you crave doing something you love

1. Take responsibility for your happiness. Another person or another shiny object will not make you really happy. It may satisfy a temporary desire but in the end you still feel this ache, this void and a thirst for something more. Until you take responsibility for your own happiness and define success on your terms then that ache would never disappear. Satisfaction will always elude you.
2. Understand your strengths. Become thoroughly familiar with your gifts, talents and best skills. Grasp the significance of WHY you’ve been given these treasures. To serve Whom? Where? HOW?  When you’re committed to lasting happiness you will do whatever it takes to understand your unique factor. Why? What makes you unique is what determines your profitability.To check out various assessments, click here.
   
3. Accept your strengths. Invest the time and energy in yourself to discover your natural assets. What do you feel at home doing when you’re at work? Once you know this answer to your questions, accept that these are yours and take ownership of them. You may be tempted to work on your weaknesses to fit into a certain group or do something that appears more prestigious. But if you’re not uniquely constructed to do it then your chances of failure are higher. You don’t choose your passions, they choose you.
4. Refine your strengths. Improve and polish your gift to a state of excellence. When you’re excellent in your gift, the world becomes your stage. If you’re going to do anything that matters John Maxwell believes that “…you have to stay within your strengths zone but continually move outside your comfort zone.” Continue to challenge yourself to learn, grow and adapt until you’re the best.
5. Serve Others. The ancient wisdom of Aristotle states where the needs of the world meet your talents there your passion is found. This is as much true today as it was before Christ. There is no greater work than to add value to another person’s life. Understanding, accepting and refining your strengths are only part of the puzzle of happiness. It is the service to others that brings completion and completes that feeling of community and belonging. What’s your mission? Your purpose? Where do you belong?

Are you ready to do what it takes to be really happy? Do you really believe that what you’re doing is all you were meant to do? If not, do the world a favor and take action today by enrolling in one of my packages to follow your passions on the path to profit.

This post was written by Charlene Nora, Your Profit From Your Passion Coach on 6/29/2010. To claim your FREE 30 minute Career Transition Evaluation, click on the link to schedule your appointment. Will I be hearing from you today?

But what are you really going to do now? Are you going to continue to look for jobs where there is more competition than openings? Maybe you could relocate to a state where they are hiring? Or is now a good time to explore other avenues? Is now a good time to think outside the job box? Of course it is. It’s just a matter of changing your perspective of what a job is. You have 2 choices. You can see this period of unemployment as an opportunity or a catastrophe.

Tom Rath in his latest book, Wellbeing, suggests that bouncing back from a lay off is the most difficult thing someone can do. The consequences of unemployment have longer lasting effects than divorce, death or any other major life event. Yet despite this “fact” there are still other things you can do.

Want my 2 cents?

Is a JOB Really Secure?

Take control of your life. It has been my observation that people become comfortable having someone else tell them what to do, how much to earn, what benefits they’re entitled to and when to go on vacation. We like that routine, structure and format. Or do we? We were trained to expect it and embrace it. Industrialization has caused us to check our autonomy, creativity and critical thinking at the door. So the notion of taking charge of your life to some people may seem foreign. But want to know the dirty truth? If you’re not working on your dreams and your life, you’re helping someone else achieve theirs.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” Benjamin Franklin

Are you ready to be in control?

If you’ve been laid off for any length of time, and you’re facing an even longer stint of being unemployed, now may be the best and only time to begin constructing your future. Taking charge of your income potential and doing something you want to do. But Charlene, how will I know if I’ll be successful? Easy. If you do something you have a natural aptitude for, are highly motivated and stay optimistic then you’ll succeed.

What you really need is information. Learning how to match your interests, talents, gifts, strengths with profitable income streams is possibly the most valuable lesson you’ll learn. It’s less expensive than a college degree but has the potential to provide income for you beyond the average starting salary for a college grad. Knowing how to change course will give you the tools to not only identify an income opportunity when you see it but also know which opportunities suit you.

What’s The First Step?

Part of Taking Control is identifying what trends, problems, groups and or niches, will benefit from your ideas. But the first step is really clarifying what you want your life to look like. That’s why I believe being laid off could be an opportunity for you to bounce back and be better than before. If you hated what you were doing then changing your career path should not be that difficult. Don’t be shy about your brilliance or magnificence. Don’t place your life in the control of someone else again. Take Control and invest your time, energy and effort in figuring out what you want to do and go for it.

Want to know the best time to grow a (money) tree? Today and 20 years ago.

Are you ready to do something different? Are you ready to take control. Click on the link to claim Your FREE Career Transition Evaluation. You’ll gain clarity about where you can get paid for who you are and what you do and the next action you need to take to making money. This post was written by Charlene Nora, Your Outside the Job Box Career Expert on 6/19/2010.

Does someone in Career Transition need one?

I don’t make my clients take assessments unless they absolutely feel this overwhelming need to sit at a computer and take one. I believe if you’re “still” enough and quiet enough you can determine your strengths, your best skills and your most important values. In fact when I use  “appreciative inquiry” most of clients are able to determine their best skills and core values without ever taking a single assessment.

Having said that many assessments are useful in pointing out a direction (not necessarily a destination). Assessments differ in what they test. Today you can choose to test from interests, to character, to values and even overall comprehensive assessments.

Where Do Assessments Fit in the Career Change Journey?

I believe the first step in the career change journey is figuring out where you want to be. It doesn’t matter what your best skills are if you don’t know where you’re heading or even where you want to be. Once you have a clear vision of what you want your life to look like. Then you begin discovering your unique talents, gifts and other assets.

If you ask someone what they’re good at, their response is usually from the view point of something they’ve done in the past. Yet if you’re changing careers, chances are you may not enjoy some aspects of your old job. Let’s say you’re really good at debating and analyzing. Do you want to continue using those skills in your new job? Maybe not.  My point is, your best skills may not be what you want to spend the rest of your life doing. This is where Assessments come in. They help point you in a direction.

What will An Assessment Do?

A career assessment is simply a way of evaluating or judging your best skills, your strengths, your interests, values and character strengths. While you can take Comprehensive Assessments like the M.A.P.P, there are others that only focus on one part of the puzzle. The M.A.P.P is a Career Motivational Appraisal which measures your potential and motivation for various vocational areas. If you’ve been thinking about doing some kind of assessment make sure it helps you answer one of  two questions:

1. Where Do I Belong?
2. What are my Strengths – what I do (skills) and who am I (character)?

Quite frankly that’s all you need to get going. The following is a BRIEF list of assessments you can use to help you figure out the answer to those questions:

1.  Strengths Finder by Tom Rath. This small book delivers a power punch to not only finding your skill-strengths i.e. what you do best but how to apply it. I’m only a fan of things that tell you HOW.  Once you read the introduction explaining WHY knowing your strengths is key to enjoying job satisfaction, a web based test is given with the unique code from the back of the book. The results not only identify your top 5 strengths but also a clear plan for you to start using them more at work. Yes, they even include “scripts” for talking to your manager and co-workers. Click here to purchase this book from Amazon. One of my TOP strengths is Futuristic, I would love to hear yours!

2. VIA Survey of Character Strength. Developed and delivered by Dr. Martin Seligman of University of  Pennsylvania. The “Father of  Positive Psychology” created this FREE assessment to help you determine your character strengths. This assessment helps you see “WHO” you are. Once you do, it becomes easier to see where you can use your strengths to take advantage of situations that will promote your enthusiasm, productivity and eventually bottomline. One of my best is Caution, Discretion and Prudence. Can you tell how I might use this everyday when working with clients?

3. Career Liftoff Interest Inventory. This interest inventory is much like having a compass if you are lost in the woods. It can help you find the right direction and also other variables like your values, motivation and skills. After you’ve completed the interest inventory you receive your report on-line which includes a list of occupations for your top 6 areas of interest. This inventory is based on  Holland’s Vocational Theory. It simply states people who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and satisfied.

4. Values Preference Indicator - This test helps you understand your core values. Why? When you make decisions based on your core values you are less likely to lead a life that’s stressful and unfulfilled. Being true to who you are  begins with an understanding of your core values. Use this assessment to make intentional decisions and prioritize your values.

Once you taken the assessment, be sure to claim your FREE Transition Evaluation where we help you complete the puzzle of “What Do I Want to do?”

This post was written by Charlene Nora on 6/23/2010 and although I’ve taken assessments to help serve you better as a Profit From Your Passions Coach. Please accept my free gift of Dull To Dazzling Career in 5 Steps by clicking on this link for instant access.