Monday, May 7, 2012

Using Personal Power to Create the Work You Love

Oftentimes, I am asked, "How did you get from there to here?"  Meaning, how did I leave my long-standing, stable, career in the ultra-conservative field of engineering to teach yoga and meditation and the practice of energy healing?  My most recent answer to someone who wants to follow my lead?  "Well, I got sick." I replied.  "I had to get really sick." Then, I added, "I decided I didn't want to be sick anymore."
It took me several years to leave my old jobeven after I got really sick.  But I eventually did.  And it wasn't easy.  It usually isn't.  If you're one of those people who feels a career change is in order, I offer a few words of advice:
·         Take your time.  Some advice I received when I was struggling with "should I stay or should I go" was to just up and leave.  Just like thatquit my job.  This never sat well with me so it's not the approach I took.  At the time I didn't know if my hesitation to "up and quit" was out of fear or my intuition speaking.  It's so hard to tell during states of emotional turmoil and illness.  Turns out, it was my inner guidance, my intuition.  I only share this as support for anyone feeling pressured to quit your job.  Don't do it on a whim.  Why?  For one thing, unless you have a plan to feed and house yourself, life is about to get a little more stressful.  Stick it out at your current job as you pave the way for your next gig. 

·         Take some action.  Use your current job to sustain your basic needs and pay for training toward your future skill.  Seek out teachers, mentors, workshops that align with what you want to do.  Ask about mentorship to those you are drawn to.  Bottom line is to just keep taking action!  One small step is a huge message to the Universe.  It says, "Yes, I am ready!"  The more little steps you take, the more opportunities will appear.  It really does happen that way.  Put yourself out there so the Universe can see you are serious!  If you take yourself serious, life will.

·         Take your new vision into your current place of work.  Instead of dreading getting up and heading to work, consider how you can improve the place and what gems you'll take with you when you leave.  Try some visualization exercises, set intentions, refuse to gossip, or complain; give every day your best effort.  Even in the most toxic environments, you get to choose how to behave.  Don't allow the toxic energy to change you.  Instead, dig deep and honor your core values.  Stick to your own morals.  Walk in and walk out with a sense of peace that you gave it your all.  Giving it your all fills you with self-respect.  Self-respect builds self-esteem.  With high self-esteem you can accomplish anything!   

Self-awareness is at the forefront of making strides toward positive change.  Take some time to reflect on areas where you might be giving your power away; where you might be falling victim.  Once you recognize areas robbing you of your Personal Power, start making small changes to reclaim your power, your self-esteem.  Once you build your self-esteem, leaving that job becomes not so much leaving a bad thing, but instead, leaving becomes a positive transition to your next opportunity.  It's always best to have the mentality of moving toward something versus running away from something.  Set the stage for something better while making your current situation the best you can.  Instead of running away from that you no longer want, focus on the pull of your future gig to propel you forward.    
And be so thankful for the lessons your current job provides.  Every challenge is an opportunity.  Every single one.  Work to mentally step away from difficult situations and take on the role of observer.  See if you can come up with a new perspective; perhaps one of understanding, compassion, tolerance.  Use current work struggles as lessons to carry forward in designing your future career.  Chances are that down the road people will come to you for help.  Think about how you would advise them in a similar situation.  Do that. 
And always remember that what other people do, don't do, say, or don't say is not about you.  Ever.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the negative energy we can't find our way out.  In the May issue of New Spirit Journal, my column,Chakra Talk, offers more on Personal Powerhow you lose it and some tips on how to reclaim it. 
Best of luck on your journey!