I am really bored with my current career but given this economy, I am afraid to change. Any advice?

Jan- Engineer

Dear Jan,

Good or poor economy, work without meaning has a way of catching up with you. Take some time and write down your interests and abilities and see which one’s match. That should give you a kick-start. Go with your heart.

Regards Craig

I really dislike my current job but I have lots of bills and see no way out. I do have some money in my 401K but that’s saved for retirement. Suggestions?

Ann

Dear Ann,

People only retire when they don’t like what they are doing. Cash in your 401K now to fund a move into more fulfilling work and then you won’t have to worry about saving for a retirement you will no longer need.

Regards Craig

My new job, which I just started, is only paying me 80 % of what I require. Should I work extra hours to increase my chances for promotion?

Name Withheld

I would suggest you focus on what you can control. Promotions you can’t control.
Your vocation is something you can take control of now. In your spare time, focus on doing more of what you love and creatively figure out how as a result you can generate more income. We all have exactly 24 hours a day, no more, no less.

Craig

I feel like I have plenty of time and no money to pursue what I love after being been laid off. I need income, any kind of it!

John- Ex financial services analyst

Dear John,

This is understandable but this time around makes sure your next ”job” is closer to things you actually like to do. What are the tradeoffs you are willing to take right now to bring you closer to doing what you love?

Craig

I have this fear that if I pursue doing what I love, I will become homeless!

Name Withheld

This is a common fear and I have felt it! You can defeat this fear by action. Fill your days with activities which continually move you in the direction you want to go. You won’t have time to think about anything else.

Craig

Do you really think it is practical for all of us to do what we love when the reality is; we all have to pay the rent or mortgage?

Name Withheld

We each create our own reality. What may seem practical to one person may not seem wise to another. It all depends on how you think about it.

Regards Craig

Although I respect your advice, I do hate my job but I have just five more years before retirement. I have decided to hang in there and not risk anything that I have worked for all these years.

Name Withheld

The wonderful thing about life is that we get to make choices. If you are happy with your choices, that is what is most important. Word of caution; Don’t let your vocational passion muscles get too far out of shape in the next five years or they won’t be much use to you when you do retire.

Regards Craig

Each month, I look forward to reading your Q’s and A’s. I never thought I would actually write in. I hate my job, I love the money. It’s that simple. How do I break out of this?

Amanda- Sales

Amanda,

At least you are honest. The fact that you want to ‘’ break out’’ should tell you something. The way to break out is think outside of the system. That is, think about instead what you would like to break into? Remember, there is a big difference between just deciding and taking action. Do something now!

Craig

I would like to follow my vocational passion. The problem is my spouse isn’t too thrilled about me leaving my secure job which these days doesn’t feel all that secure

John

Dear John,

Clearly there is opportunity for anxiety in today’s economy.

There is also opportunity for moving towards more of what you want. If you love what you do and it’s secure, great. It sounds however that you aren’t passionate about what you doing and instead would prefer to seek new change. While this can cause stress in the household, the opposite can do more damage. Continuing more of what you don’t want will gradually wear you down, emotionally and physically. This is no way to live.

Take little steps to build your own security

Craig

Do you think it’s ok to do my passions on the side while earning an income during the day?

Ben

Dear Ben,

Only you can answer this. Remember, you don’t do a passion, you live it! I also believe it’s possible to live your passion and earn the income you require. The more you separate this in your mind, the more you’ll continue to only live for the weekends.

Craig

What can I do to further my education when my company doesn’t pay for me to go back to school?

James

Dear James,

It depends how you define education. Learning new things can be accomplished in lots of different ways. Define what you want to learn and how you can learn it on your own.
Don’t get shut down because your current employer doesn’t fund what you need.

Craig

I recently decided to follow my love of teaching. I just got a teaching job at a local high school. The good news is I love it. The bad news is it only pays a third of what I require right now. I am feeling like this was not a good idea after all to give up my finance job at the big company?

Sam- High school math teacher

Dear Sam,

So many people give up just before they come up with that one creative idea which made things work for them. Don’t join them. Think about how you teach math to your students. You don’t give them the answer. You teach them the theory and then the formulas and then they practice until they get it right. Have you written down your formula for success? Have you practiced any part if it? Just like math, break down your money challenge into small pieces and then deal with each one on its own merit.
To solve your equation, you need both sides.

Regards Craig

I have been selling cars for several years after being laid off from the dot com cycle. I really want to get into music which has also been my hobby but I never actually made money at it. Do you have any ideas?

Ron- Car Salesman

Dear Ron,

Lots of ideas!! First make a list of all your abilities and interests around music. Circle the ones which match the closest. Brainstorm all the ways you could make money using those pairs of abilities and interests. Then evaluate where you need additional education and or assisting to get more experience. The last step is to target and start talking to people who are already doing this. You’ll start to attract the right opportunities into your life as a result.

Regards Craig

My job pays well and it keeps me in the area I like and my family is comfortable with our situation. Am I passionate, no! The job gives good benefits and I guess that’s all I can ask for. Is something wrong with this?

Name Withheld

If you are comfortable with your situation that is what counts the most. Many times it comes down to making sure you live each day based on what you prize most. It sounds like you are. It is however important to keep in perspective an idea of the work you love to do. Someday, if you lose your current job, this will be an important thing to know.

Craig

I am ready to make the leap to finally doing what I love after 26 years in retail. The problem is I don’t think the pay is going to be enough. What should I do?

Carmel

Dear Carmel,

The problem I have seen is that many people quickly jump to the conclusion that they cannot make enough money doing what they love and they stop all movement towards doing what they love. First, decide what you need to make and then brainstorm all the ways you could compliment your planned activities with other sources of income.
Don’t let your negativity impact your creativity

Craig

My boss last week gave me more work given out recent layoffs and said he was expecting me to work more overtime. I have a family and I am not sure I can put more time in at the office. Suggestions?

Bob- Software engineer

Dear Bob,

It’s not the quantity of work you produce, but the quality. It is possible to balance time with family and work but it takes discipline and planning. Are you focusing on the most critical things that MUST get done each day? Remember, there are only a few things any of us can do each day which are critical whether they relate to work or family. Ensure your planning takes this into consideration. Finally, strive to make sure your daily activities align to your most important values; otherwise you’ll end up with that empty feeling at the end of the day

Craig

I really need a promotion. I want more responsibility and more money but my work never seems to get noticed. How do I get what I want?

Alec- Buyer

Dear Alec,

Perhaps it’s time to start giving yourself a little more responsibility. How can you provide the internal feedback to feel better about yourself?
Yes, the money and promotion would be nice but that is generally not in your control. What you can control is how you feel about yourself and the positive attitude you carry with you daily. Get the right results done each day in a positive and spirited way and the rewards both internal and external will come.

Regards Craig

I have a boss who constantly micro-manages me. I feel so frustrated. The whole company in fact is run this way. What should I do?

Manny

Dear Manny,

A person who manages in this way usually has a combination of insecurity, fear and or inexperience. Combine this with an overall system which practices this harmful approach of management and you have a very challenging environment. Make a plan now to transition out to an environment where you feel more creative and more alive

Regards Craig

I recently took on two roles, given the recent layoffs in our company. I didn’t like my existing job and now I have two jobs I don’t like. What should I do, quit?

Wendy- Product Support

Dear Wendy,

Congrats! You are the first person I have heard from who has two jobs at the same time, which doesn’t work for them. The problem with jobs is that they are defined by someone else. You have two choices. Continue to do two jobs you don’t like or begin to create the vocational role you desire. How do you do this? Imagine you had unlimited funds. How would you spend the rest of your life? What exactly would you do? Examine those patterns and then design your perfect day. There will be a gap. Now, determine next the first steps to close the gap. There are many choices if you can create them first in your mind’s eye.

Craig

Lately, I am not getting along with my peers. It seems they are jealous of me since I seem to get the most opportunities at work. What should I do?

Name Withheld

How do you know they are jealous? We all bring to work our mental maps of our lives. It’s hard to observe this. I doubt they are jealous. They are probably experiencing some unhappiness in their roles and figure the only way out is to make more money and perhaps you represent a threat to them. Smile, be friendly and role model someone who loves what they do. You might rub off on your co-workers.

Craig

My company recently implemented a new policy where we have to take our vacations only at certain times of the year. This totally conflicts with my personal vacation plans.
What should I do?

Ken- Sales

Ken,

It continues to amaze me how many companies implement policies which force employee’s to take time off when it is convienent for the company. Since I doubt you can influence this, my suggestion is change your vacation schedule in the short term and in the long term, seek to combine vacation and vocation. This way, every day will always be the same for you; full of meaning and fulfillment

Craig

Lately, I have been getting mixed signals at work. I received a good annual review but with mixed signals. I was told I had a good year but the goals for 2004 will be even greater and I will have to pick up the pace? What does this mean? I already work 60 hours a week; never see my wife and 3-year-old daughter. I am the sole provider for my family but I feel like I am losing my own soul

Name Withheld
Sales Engineer

First, congratulations for paying attention to your inner signals that something is not quite right. It’s time to re-evaluate what you prize most in your life and determine how you will know if you are following what you are prize and when you are not.
Once this is clear to you, you’ll be able to make the right decisions about your life’s balance

Craig

I recently started managing a rather large group of non-exempt workers. I enjoy my work but this group of hourly workers seems not as motivated as people I have managed in the past. What can I possibly do to get them moving!!!

With all due respect, I don’t believe anyone can ever motivate anyone else over the long term. That sadly, is the problem with many corporate programs. I suggest you invest the time with your people to understand how you can help match their high skills with high challenges while aligning their interests and their abilities. This will go a lot further towards helping them find their own meaning and fulfillment in their activities, which then actually might motivate them

Craig

I have a great perspective about myself as you write about. The problem is others at work have this perspective about me. The details aren’t important other then to mention that this has kept me from getting the right opportunities. What should I do?

Name Withheld

Five years from now what you will continue to remember is your on-going perspective of yourself. Your beliefs, your goals and your desires will continue to drive your behavior.
Instead focus on these things now and you will feel better about your current state.

Craig

My company only gave me a 1% increase this year, That was after a really good year for me. I know times are tough but don’t you think that’s terrible? Should I leave?

Rene

Dear Rene,

Salary is an element I try not to take a position on. Money is a very personal choice. I would however suggest you go inside yourself and see if you can find a greater reward that you can give yourself much more often then the 1% annual increase, I bet you’ll find it has a longer shelf life.

Craig

I have two weeks vacation at work. It seems at my age, 46; they should give more time off for age?

Name Withheld

Now, that is the best idea I have heard all week! Let me know if your proposal is accepted. If not, try giving yourself vocation and then you will vacation the rest of your life! That’s what I found!

Craig

I love my job but hate my boss. This is also starting to make me hate my job. What should I do?

Name Withheld

First think through why you hate your boss. How might you look at your boss from a new perspective? If you were your boss, what would you need from you?
Don’t lose sight that you love what you do. You have reached a magical place.

Regards Craig

How come most of these questions people write in are so negative? Where are all the people who love their jobs?

Andy

Dear Andy,

Well, this should tell you something. Actually, I have discovered that when one is happy with what they do, a quiet confidence builds and there is no reason to complain anymore.
How about you? Would you like to stop complaining about what you do? You can!

Craig

I really need a promotion. I want more responsibility and more money but my work never seems to get noticed. How do I get what I want?

Alec- Buyer

Dear Alec,

Perhaps it’s time to start giving yourself a little more responsibility. How can you provide the internal feedback to feel better about yourself?
Yes, the money and promotion would be nice but that is generally not in your control. What you can control is how you feel about yourself and the positive attitude you carry with you daily. Get the right results done each day in a positive and spirited way and the rewards both internal and external will come.

Regards Craig

My company has been forcing us to work more hours without extra pay. What can I do?

Name Withheld

Doing anything when forced doesn’t make for a good environment. Examine what you are doing for this company. Is it worth the extra work? Only you can decide how and where you spend your time. Just make sure it’s time well spend on what you want.
You’ll feel healthier.

Craig

What do you do when you feel trapped in your job?

Name Withheld

The question is what do you do right now so you don’t feel trapped.
Getting out of traps is tricky. It can be done with creativity mixed with new perspectives and new choices.

Craig

I have not made my sales quota’s the past couple of months and I have a feeling I am going to be laid soon as a result. What should I do? I can’t possibly make up sales in the next few weeks to make any difference

Jim- High Tech Sales

Dear Jim,

Might be a blessing . I doubt you are the problem. It’s probably a combination of a poor product, down economy and a quota which is overly optimistic.
So, maybe now’s the time to think about what else might be possible for you. Your sales quota might be impossible, but your possibilities are much larger if you choose to invest the time now on you.

Regards Craig

I was recently hired at this company and although I like what I am doing, I am not a quick study and it takes me a few times to learn what I am doing. I think my co-workers get frustrated with me and I want them to believe I am worth something?

Sandy- Medical worker

Dear Sandy,

You are worth something! What counts is how you feel about yourself. There is really little you can do to control others thoughts, views and opinions. Many people spend the bulk of their lives trying to convince others how they ought to feel. It is a useless exercise. Do you love the work you do? If so, you will naturally learn from your mistakes, gain confidence over time and feel better about yourself. Keep on the journey for self-improvement from the inside out and you’ll feel better about your progress.

Regards Craig

I’ll be frank. My job is terrible, my boss is worst and I commute 2 hours a day. The problem is there are no other jobs right now as far as I can tell. Do I really have any other choices?

Ally- Payroll supervisor

Dear Ally,

Being 0-3 in baseball as a hitter in a game would mean you have to try something much different on your 4th time at bat.
So, you can make your job better, you can quit or move closer to your job. You can also go back to your personal roadmap and decide what you want. Does this current job fuel your passion, your energy, your meaning and fulfillment for what you are truly capable of? If not, I suggest you start to craft a better roadmap and plan for yourself. While in progress, that will help make the commute, boss and job easier to handle in the short term!

Regards Craig

My HR career development program at work labeled me as a poor sales person.
I love sales not just at this company

Name Withheld

I think you figured out the problem! HR’s assessment program probably doesn’t take into consideration the fact that people can love what they do but place them in a lousy environment and their performance drops. Find a new environment to sell and your sales will thrive!

Craig

Sometimes it feels to me like life and work is so separate. How can I integrate my life?

Name Withheld

First, decide how you can integrate your life. What are the first steps you must take? Deciding you should take action and actually taking action are much different.
Define for yourself what your perfect vocational day would be like. Then define where you are now and examine what the gap looks like.
Now, you have a place to start a plan.

Craig

After being out of work six months, I finally have a job offer but they require me to move clear across the country. This will totally disrupt my family and my wife doesn’t want to move. What should I do?

Ken- Mid-level Manager

Dear Ken,

The best way to resolve this is for you and your wife and family to sit down and discuss your future vision together.
What are the family priorities now and in the future? What will the perfect family day look like now, in the future?
Does this relocation get you closer or farther from that vision?
This is a good place to start.

Regards Craig

I do not like what I do but I am afraid to sacrifice what I have to quit and try something new? What does a person like me do?

Andy

Andy,

What could you first sacrifice this week on a small scale to get started?
Sometimes it just takes a little practice here, a little change there, to realize that you can live with less of what you don’t want right now

Regards Craig

I just read your book and found that it came at just the right time for me. I recently was laid off and have been in a fog for a month on what I should do. It’s scary, as I have no answers yet.

Ryan

Ryan,

Thanks for your kind feedback. Being in what’s called the liminal state is quite normal. This is a time of transition when once what was is no longer and the future is uncertain.
The best thing now is to not rush the process. Each person requires different amounts of time. Many of us are not afraid of change but what the change will do to us.
Use this period of change as a time to revisit and think through what’s most important to you and what you seek at this time. The answers will come in unusual places so keep your eyes and ears open!

Craig

I have been out of work now for three months. I have applied to at least twenty jobs on monster.com and hot jobs but I have not received one response. Is there something wrong with me?

Eric

Dear Eric,

There is nothing wrong with you. Although many people tend to feel this way. The most effective method to find your next opportunity is to network. That means for everyone you meet starting now, prepare to let him or her know exactly what you seeking. Many people in the job search are available and willing to help. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what they want so both parties walk away confused. Don’t let that happen to you.

Craig

Given there are very few opportunities right now in California at my mid-level management experience; I am planning to relocate to another state. Any suggestions?

Marc

Dear Marc,

One of the most common problems which many people make is first finding a job and then much later deciding if they like and or fit into the culture. Seems a little backwards doesn’t it? First determine which culture and environment is right for you.

Craig

You don’t spend time discussing the importance of resumes, job searching and other traditional approaches. Why?

Angelina

Dear Angelina,

I don’t discuss these things because I don’t think they are nearly as important as first deciding what you want and then investing the time to get to know one’s self. The field of career counseling has done an injustice by ignoring one’s soul. I think this is more important in the long run to pay attention to.

Craig

What did you do when you felt frustrated at work but didn’t know how to get started to move towards something else like you write about?

Name Withheld

First, I thought about it and then I talked about what was bothering me to people who cared. Then I quickly took action to try something new. I learned that waiting only postponed my unhappiness.

Craig

In school, I was never taught how to choose what I love to do.
Now at 45 years of age and recently laid off, my mind goes blank when thinking about what I should do next?

Anthony

Dear Anthony,

I am going to give you a gift; a day all to yourself. How will you spend this day from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. Examine your patterns and notice which aspects of the day gets you the most excited.
Start with this as a foundation to build on.

Regards Craig

I have been out of work now 8 months with no job in site. Currently, I am looking at a retail job or a commission based sales job. Both offer no future, no interest and 50 per-cent of what I made before. I feel I have no choice but to take it. Suggestions?

Name Witheld

The thought occurs to me that perhaps it is time to find your vocation since it doesn’t appear the right job for you exists. That is, what could you start doing tomorrow and continue this through the rest of your years? Once identified, what are the activities you could start to put together for yourself to create the vocational life and income you require? The effort is challenging but well worth it. I doubt you’ll ever find the vocational job for you on monster.com. This one takes creating from the inside out.

Craig