I remember during my first week of my MBA program, sitting in a lecture hall where alumni were speaking about their experiences in the program and offering advice to the new entrants. The message of one of the speakers has stuck with me ever since. I don’t remember what he did or where he worked, but I do remember what he said – “If you want to find happiness and success in your career, you’ve got to find something that you would do for free.”
At the time, the importance of this message escaped me. I thought the notion of his message was nice, find a job that you would do for free… But I didn’t think it was a realistic notion. In that moment, I really couldn’t think of anything that I was willing to do for free. I was doing my MBA to increase my value in the job market. I had chosen to do my MBA because I wanted a Masters degree and figured that a degree in Business was the most practical one to obtain.
It was a far cry from the pursuit of my undergraduate degree, where I did my studies in political science with a minor in peace studies, completely unaware of what kind of vocation that would lead to after graduation. I don’t have any regrets about the choices I made, because I understand that everything happens for a reason and my educational pursuits have helped to bring me to the place that I am at today.
I have had my share of jobs, working in the corporate sector, with strict dress codes and seemingly unlimited budgets, to working in the non profit sector, where you have to wonder if you can afford to buy a pack of pens! I have always known that I wanted to do something that would involve working with people. More specifically, I wanted to do something where I thought I was making a difference. That’s why the non profit sector appealed to me so much.
It took a lot of meditation and increasing self awareness on my part to get me to the place I am at today. In the last year I have reviewed my personal values, created a mission statement for myself and really left myself open to all of the amazing opportunities and possibilities that are out there. In following these steps along with working with a life coach, which included a detailed personality profile I am confident in my choice to pursue a career in life coaching!
I have always enjoyed helping friends and family through difficult times, providing support and encouragement wherever and whenever needed. It’s why no one has been surprised to hear about my change in career. When I think back to the advice of that gentleman ten years ago, I feel like I finally understand his message. I have found a career that I would do for free, and getting paid to do it is just a really nice bonus :)!
If you would like help in finding the career that you would do, even if you didn’t get paid for it, please contact me! I would love to help (and I offer a free consultation)!♥
Bookmark & Share