—————————————————————–

What you’re missing in your job is purpose.

If your company were operating with a clear and present purpose, then you would be telling me how soul-satisfying your work is. You would be bragging on your participation in something bigger than yourself. You would be talking about how meaningful your work is. You wouldn’t be describing a hamster wheel and expressing the need to bail.

Of course you feel the need to bail!

In fact, Sue, you could serve as the poster girl for the 21st-century employee; there has to be a purpose to the work and organization.

“Yours is a common problem these days,” says Haley Rushing. “It’s a horrible state of business when people think they need to leave their passions at home.”

Haley is Chief Purposologist at Austin’s famed marketing/advertising firm, GSD&M Idea City.

You read right. Chief Purposologist. She’s the only one in the world, and she’s the co-author (with Roy M. Spence, Jr.) of the recently released It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For.

Haley is passionate about her own work and her purpose: helping organizations fulfill their purpose. “I want my kids to live in a world where organizations are doing the right thing. The sustainability of the planet is determined by the decisions that businesses make. In some small way, I hope I can help transform the consciousness of business leaders to create value where everyone wins.”

Luckily, Haley found a company whose purpose aligned with her personal purpose before she nearly abandoned the marketing profession. GSD&M offered her the opportunity to use her insights into consumer motivation in a responsible, rather than exploitative, way.

“It’s hard to put kids and family on hold. If I weren’t doing something I believe in, I’d be miserable.” Employers, she says, need to “recognize that if they want people to show up for work enthusiastic and engaged, they need to give them something to be genuinely enthusiastic about—something they can believe in.”

The biggest lesson she’s learned?

“Choose your clients [or employer] wisely. You only have so much time and talent to give in this world. Don’t squander it working with people who aren’t as passionate and committed as you are. Look at every potential relationship as an opportunity for both parties to grow. Every one of my great clients has taught me as much as I’ve taught them. We get better together. So if something about a client [or employer] doesn’t feel right to you, listen to your instincts. There are too many amazing people and cool companies in the world to waste time working for those that don’t get it—and won’t ever get it.”

She could be speaking directly to you, Sue: “Listen to your instincts.” Sounds like you already know it’s time to move on. You present pretty strong evidence that your current workplace isn’t ever going to challenge you, develop you, or fulfill you. In the short term, you feel dissatisfied. In the long run, you’ll feel suffocated.

What to do? First, get clear about your own purpose, then find a compatible employer.

Haley offers this advice for women like you who are seeking a purpose-driven workplace: “Ask! If you’re wondering whether or not a company has a purpose, ask them. There is a lot of power in the question: ‘What’s your fundamental purpose in the world?’ or ‘What difference are you trying to make?’ If their answer begins and ends with ‘make money, increase revenue, maximize profit for shareholders,’ that’s a good indication that the organization isn’t purpose-driven. On the other hand, if they come to life and begin to tell you about the values that shape their culture and the difference they’re trying to make, listen up. This may be your opportunity to take up residence working for the ‘good guys.’

“The good news is that while purpose-driven organizations may have been the exception in the past, there are more and more emerging on the scene every day. You can often spot them by the enthusiasm and engagement of their employees if you interact with them as a customer. They may be the retailers that still see a steady stream of customers, while their competitors are hanging up their ‘going out of business’ sign.”

Ann Daly PhD is a life coach, keynote speaker, and author of A Year of Clarity: The Monthly Guide for Women. She helps women get clear about what they want and how to get it. Subscribe to her blog at: www.anndaly.com.

My father was a clipper. Mostly book reviews. He underlined his favorite passages with a colored felt-tip pen, in a neat wavy line that tossed the wordsup off the page.In my senior year of college, just after New Year’s, he sent me a clipping from his diocesan weekly newspaper entitled “Climbing Mountains.” He had photocopied it, and inscribed it at the top:“To ANN, I think you will reach your impossible dream. Dad”I mounted and framed that page, in an inexpensive metal frame that I ordered from a catalog and assembled myself. A quarter-century later, it remains on display in my office. My father has pas sed on, but his message remains in my heart.

Back then, I aspired to the New York Times and the New Yorker. (I achieved the former, and still don’t rule out the latter.) My path took its twists and turns, ultimately through graduate school and into academia. By 40 I found myself bored and restless—
itching for something bigger.

Today, a few years after ditching my life as a tenured university professor, I find myself back at beginner’s mind. Once again
I find myself standing at the foot of that mountain.I could have coasted in my university job. Some urged me to do so. My new husband certainly wasn’t encouraging any rash moves.

But I craved a different life. I felt increasingly suffocated by the old one. I guess reinventing myself as a life coach and speaker after more than 20 years in academia was something of an “impossible dream.” The thing is, I wasn’t so much focused on the end game. I was interested in the challenge. What I wanted most was to figure out what more there was to me, in me. If I stayed where I was, I would never know. My greatest desire has always been the desire to know–not just about the world around me, but about my own capabilities. When my father told me I could do anything I put my mind to, what exactly could that encompass? When he predicted that I would be the first
woman president, what was he seeing that I didn’t?

Most of the time my clients start the coaching process with a goal in mind. They want to make a decision, or make a plan. They want to decide upon a dream to pursue. And most of the time that turns out to be a pretext for the real work: to find out, what kind of stuff am I made of? The journey isn’t an ascent up a mountain in front of us. It’s a descent into our own depths. We just use the experience of the mountain as the crucible within which to test our depths, and to expand. To become who we are.

The descent isn’t easy. It reminds us that we have learned to get along, chosen to ignore our longings, settled for playing it safe. That’s where dreams help. Dreams provide the opportunity for you to project yourself beyond the old boundaries. Dreams are the existential equivalent of “Outward Bound.” Instead of hiking through the wilderness with a compass and a can of sterno, you explore your own unknown territory.

It’s what religious orders would call “the dark night of the soul.” When I decided to quit, I imagined every awful scenario of failure until I got down to the bottom of it. Suppose I couldn’t make a living? Would I regret quitting? Quite simply, I decided I’d rather start over at McDonald’s or as a secretary. I could imagine it, I could deal with it, I could begin anew. I love do-overs. A friend in the midst of a breakup once asked me about any upside of my divorce. And I told him without missing a beat: it’s a gift we get so rarely in life, an honest-to-goodness do-over!

I love being a life coach because I feel alive in the regenerative muck of our depths. I love the essential work of being human. As far back as high school, I chose Tennyson’s “Ulysses” and Dylan’s “Do Not Go Gentle” as my poems to read in the oral interpretation competition. For many adult years I was stymied by the choice. I didn’t remember being a depressed teenager.

I wasn’t depressed. I was longing to chart my own unknown territory. Tennyson provided my mantra: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Aries
March 21 – April 20
It is hard to define, but uneasiness seems to be undermining your direction and disorganizing you. Maybe an impossible dream is beckoning you. Keep your feet on the ground; someone could be spinning a scam. Mid-month, your social life can be very active.

Taurus
April 21 – May 20
You may be busy saving the world, but pay attention to your kids. They need your support now. If you don’t have kids, your inner child has a little tear in its eye. Mid-month, cultivate an unconventional friendship.

Gemini
May 21– June 21
What your parents and grandparents taught you about work is being challenged. If you are itching to break free or get if you get downsized, aim higher and research your next step. Mid- month, use your natural humor to stay on the sunny side.

Cancer
June 22 – July 22
Take a sabbatical from those hours of e-mails and texts. It has been hard to get your message across anyway. Take a mental health day off of work and watch Oprah for some inspiration. Mid-month you can adopt a new attitude.

Leo
July 23 – August 22
Everyone may have gone from riches to rags, but you might have an idea that will swing you back to riches. Conquer any fears that keep you from focusing on careful details and pace yourself. Mid-month, cooperate with whomever Spirit puts into your life.

Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Someone out there is being ditzy and you have to play the heavy. Let their need for space give you a new perspective on your own true needs. Mid-month, change your schedule and take time to look at the sky when you are getting into your car.

Libra
September 23 – October 22
You may be feeling soul-sick and don’t know where it is coming from. Get out your corny self-help books and start every day with spiritual connection and positive affirmations. Apply the lyrics of Madonna’s song “Express Yourself” to yourself.

Scorpio
October 23 – November 22
You are outgrowing some friends and are over-extended with committee work. At the same time the kids are running wild or you might have an inappropriate crush on someone. Be judicious about which bridges you want to burn. Mid-month, visit someone who always makes you laugh.

Sagittarius
November 23 – December 21
The world is pressuring you to fame in your career. At the same time, you dream of letting everything go and opening that little bed-and breakfast at the beach. Maximize the opportunities you have now, but take as many getaways as you can. Mid-month, subscribe to a new magazine.

Capricorn
December 22 – January 20
Your whole personality is being reconstructed. If you are worrying to death, apply the idea, “Maybe I don’t have a concept for these changes yet.” Mid-month, put a personal Declaration of Independence into writing.

Aquarius
January 21 – February 19
You can be stubborn and it is particularly hard to compromise now. Remember, what you resist persists. Any trials with your body can direct you to examine what is really important in life. Mid-month, direct your burst of physical energy in an imaginative way.

Pisces
February 20-March 20
Someone is being a wet blanket, but you trained him or her to depend on you. Stay calm and practice drawing new boundary lines. “ I gotta be me” has some truth in it. Mid-month, try a new meditation method.

Laura Waldman has been a consulting Astrologer since 1982. She offers clarity, validation, and optimum timing for any aspect of your life process. She offers natal, predictive, relationship, geographic relocation, and spiritual mentoring readings. Access her expertise in times of transition. Learn more at her website: www.LauraWaldmanAstrology.com or call her at 512-291-8299.

Aries
March 21 – April 20
Go outside the box and cultivate some new and maybe odd friendships. Volunteer or political work is very satisfying. You may go wild with high hopes. Don’t be erratic. Be innovative.

Taurus
April 21 – May 20
Aim high in your career or create a new one. You usually like to take your time, but surprising events may push you off your duff . Grab the once in a 12 year cycle brass ring! You can star as a team motivator.

Gemini
May 21 – June 21
Get out of Dodge! Travel and interface with other cultures will stimulate your ideals. A new study could broaden your horizons, or you may start teaching some classes of your own. You will be spouting wisdom.

Cancer
June 22 – July 22
Detach from emotional messes. Release your fears and forgive your past. New forms of intimacy will fill the vacuum. Find a community that empowers you.

Leo
July 23 – August 22
Share your life. Revitalize your marriage by reaching for new goals and spicing-up your activities. If you are single, go boldly where no man has gone before. A friend may seem more and more attractive as a mate.

Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Act out of character at work. Ideas that seem bizarre to you could really impress people. Also, break your usual routines and find fun new ways to care for your body.

Libra
September 23 – October 22
This is a great year for flirting and no one does that better than you do! Schedule lots of play and take time for artistic activities. Children can really inspire you.

Scorpio
October 23 – November 22
Go home and move at least 12 objects to a different spot. Re-arranging your space can bring changes of heart and open you to believe that more people care about you than you could imagine.

Sagittarius
November 23 – December 21
Pique your curiosity with new magazines, websites, TV shows and films. A neighbor could become a great networking connection. Your usual great sense of humor will be exaggerated this year, you silver tongue, you.

Capricorn
December 22 – January 20
Reboot and explore new sources of income. Abundance is yours for the taking. Adapt your leadership style to embrace more input from your foot- soldiers.

Aquarius
January 21 – February 19
Enter the race! Your vibration is electrified. You love new alliances. Get out there and save the world. Your ingenuity is amplified.

Pisces
February 20-March 20
Take your compassion into some direct service work. You love the unde-r dog. Go out and mingle with them. You are more clairvoyant than usual. Let go of things that have happened since 1997 and let your imagination soar.

Laura Waldman has been a consulting Astrologer since 1982. She offers clarity, validation, and optimum timing for any aspect of your life process. She offers natal, predictive, relationship, geographic relocation, and spiritual mentoring readings. Access her expertise in times of transition. Learn more at her website: www.LauraWaldmanAstrology.com or call her at 512-291-8299.

1. Get In Shape:
It doesn’t matter if you have lost your job recently or if you are safe and secure. The New Year is a great time to look back at your previous year, evaluate wins and losses and get your resume in shape. Having a strategically-written resume is essential to being prepared when opportunity knocks. So, give your brain and typing fingers a workout and get your job tools fit.

2. Become More Flexible:
Today’s job market is an opportunity for you to take a take a leap in a new, growing industry such as government, technology, health care or education. If your current industry isn’t looking like it has a bright future, be flexible. Some strategic planning can help you market your talents to a new area. Take time to examine your transferable skills and match them with available opportunities.

3. Train to Build Strength:
Professional development is the fuel for advancing your career. Look online for workshops, conferences and continuing education classes to help you strengthen your weaker areas. If you’re looking to make an industry or career transition, examine job descriptions to see what competency gaps you may need to fill with formal training. Professional development is also an amazing way to inspire you. If you’ve felt a general loss of excitement, a workshop presenting new ideas can give you a tremendous boost.

4. Connect with People:
Here at the Ginac Group, we can’t emphasize this enough. Building and maintaining your network is the best way to find out about career opportunities. Some statistics show that nearly 60% of available jobs are not posted online. The only way to find out about these is through people you know. Your network can be made up of friends, former and current work colleagues, your family and even your dentist. Take stock of who you know and connect with them this year to keep your relationship from dissolving.

5. Reduce Stress:
The New Year is also a good time to examine if your job is working for you. Is the level of stress you’re feeling the right amount for you? Do you have the kind of work/life balance you want? If you’re stressed and unhappy with your job, you should consider talking to a professional career consultant to see what other options are available. A Professional Career Architect, like the ones employed at our firm, can make sure you make a seamless transition into a more fulfilling career.

“Charity gives you all four of those things,” he concludes.

There are three major categories of charitable organizations — private, corporate and community. The vast majority are private ones set up as nonprofit organizations and run by a board of trustees. Positions at most non-profits are highly coveted and difficult to get. Most who run them are experienced professionals and or administers with years of experience rising up the ranks to more senior roles.

People are always asking me how to transition into the non-profit sector, but rarely do they understand the true nature of working for such an organization. Yes, it is rewarding to work in a job that positively contributes to our community, but it is not a walk in the park. I believe that it is more demanding to work for a non-profit because you have limited staff and funds with which to operate and must rely on a dedicated staff of volunteers to help execute on programs. So often, it seems the organization is one donor shy of meeting their fundraising goals. However, if you feel passionate about a cause and are sick and tired of Corporate America, joining a non-profit may be the right choice for you. It is in these charitable-based organizations that you can feel true success at the deepest level.

Here are some strategies on how to make philanthropy your career:

Consider starting your own foundation. Charitable foundations are a prudent approach to managing your wealth, and this allows you the flexibility to donate to several different causes that interest you. Research, considering proposals and working with an accountant and lawyer can easily be a full-time job.

Look for positions at existing non-profits. Most jobs at non-profits pay below the competitive salary median and demand energy. Take your time and examine which causes really matter to you. Ask yourself, “How do you want to make a difference?” Your passion for the cause is what will make this job rewarding.

Start your own non-profit. Just like starting a business, clearly illustrate your cause on paper, pick a business name, and diligently prepare how you plan to execute your idea. You’ll need to examine the costs involved in start-up and maintenance. Do your due diligence by researching state and federal guidelines regulating non-profits, apply for applicable grants and loans, and work with experts to come up with a long-term growth strategy.

Provide Pro Bono Services. If you own your business or specialize in a specific trade or industry, providing your expertise and resources to a charitable cause is a great way to make philanthropy a part-time career. Many existing non-profits can’t afford legal fees, facility rental fees or to hire an expert staff to handle recruitment or marketing. There are millions of possibilities and ways to help. All it takes is a phone call.

Another topic that rises in any conversation about working for non-profits is salary. Salaries at non-profits are most often influenced by size the largest groups tend to offer the most generous compensation. Based on our knowledge of the Austin market, the median salary for a development professionals is around $70,000; the median salary for an executive director is around $115,000.

If you are looking to break into non-profit it could take awhile. The turnover rate tends to be very low; a major factor in employee loyalty is the small number of these jobs that are available in our small community. When these jobs are advertised, most people get a foot in the door because of networking with other people in the organization where they want to end up or they have volunteered for an extended amount of time. Whether it’s protecting animals, joining the green movement, helping children, furthering education, working for your church or contributing to the arts, everyone benefits when more people get involved in making a positive difference in our beloved community.

Another true story.

Jerri is a very smart, very talented lawyer–an associate at a large, prestigious law firm. She is the proud single mom of an infant boy and the survivor of a life-threatening illness.

When we met, Jerri was still on the mend. And she wanted to make a move. She wanted to relocate near her parents in a smaller city, so her son could live in a kid-friendly neighborhood with appropriately doting grandparents nearby.

Though she loved her work and planned to advance in her career, right now Jerri wanted to establish a different lifestyle for herself and her son.

Large law firms have not historically embraced off ramping, flextime, or leaves. Jerri’s main concern was her job.

Would her current employer accommodate her move? Was this a good moment to open her own practice? Or to go corporate as an in-house counsel?

We explored all the possibilities, so Jerri could best “rehearse” all her options and visualize the big picture of how all the varied pieces of the puzzle might fit together.

But how would her boss, who depended upon her, respond? Anger? Dismissal out of hand? Should she have another job offer in hand? Would that make her position stronger, or would that be perceived as disloyal? These worries got the best of Jerri during one of our conversations.

She got herself to that dark place we’re all familiar with when we play “What if?” In the game of “What if?” we give over our power to the person or organization whose reactions we are trying to predict. We go from “want” to “should.”

Jerri had spiraled out of control by focusing on her employer’s position rather than her own intentions. I wanted to bring her back to her place of clarity and power, so I gave her a freewriting assignment. Every day for the next week she was to spend 10 minutes describing the new life she was preparing for herself and her son.

A few days later, Jerri emailed me the news. After only two freewriting sessions, she couldn’t put it off any longer. She reconnected with the depth of her desire to create a better life for her family, and she told her boss that she was going to move. Before she even had the chance, her boss suggested that Jerri continue working with the firm remotely.

Writing is an extraordinary tool for re-focusing yourself. When you’re doubtful, it reminds you what you want. When you’re confused, it sorts through the mess. When you’re distracted, it brings you back to center.

So if you’re needing the clarity and confidence that leads to action, try writing. Here are a few freewriting prompts to suit most situations:

What’s happening?
What’s missing?
What’s wrong?
What’s working?
What’s next?
What’s best?

Stay clear!
Ann