Career Change – A Personal Experience
Fri, January 13, 2012 at 12:00 Tweet
Our lives and the planet that we inhabit is changing rapidly, I am certain most people would agree with that belief. The majority of change, particularly career change in whatever form that takes can be uncertain and frightening. At the same time, it can feel exciting, courageous and energising. There is a theory I use when working with clients called transactional analysis. It explains how we might feel, act and/or behave during times of change. TA involves ego states: parent, adult and child. These states include both the positive and negative sides of each state. They are equally important, although some states are more supportive to us than others.
Once TA is explained, I’ve noticed through my experience that clients understand and can relate to TA quite naturally. By introducing TA and applying it within the context of professional career change it usually resonates with clients and helps them make sense of and begin to understand how they are thinking, feeling and/or acting?
I’ve identified an example of my own experience with career change and transactional analysis. Several years ago I was feeling uncertain and I knew I wanted to shift my career and take it in a different direction. During the process, I noticed myself in child ego state (sometimes natural, sometimes adaptive, and sometimes rebellious). In essence, I was feeling afraid. I was looking for and hoping a nurturing parent would come along and make it all better. What actually happened? I was open to opportunities. I noticed myself move from child to adult state. When I was in adult state, I remember feeling calm, resourceful and logical. I initiated and took the opportunity to work with a professional coach or guide. I knew this was a golden opportunity and I can confirm it has made a ‘massive difference’ to my professional life.
I knew our professional relationship was fundamental and a springboard of doing great work together. I am indebted to that relationship to this day. In the beginning, I recall feeling like a child. I felt uncertain, frightened at times, asking myself questions and hoping that my coach/guide (nurturing parent) would ‘put it all right’. I learned quickly that it was up to me to ‘change it’ and ‘put it all right’. My coach took on different roles – nurturing parent (someone on my side), controlling parent (challenged me and held me to account), adult (logically supported and challenged me; imparted knowledge and experience), and natural child (curious and playful). As I reflect back over that period of time, I knew I wanted and needed to get focused and clear in relation to my career, I am grateful for my actions. I knew in my heart I was the Captain and I needed the assistance of a Co-pilot. My actions made all the difference in the world!
I encourage you to work with a Position Ignition Career Guide.
About the Author:
Stephanie Mount is a Position Ignition Guide. She is profoundly interested in people and their potential. Stephanie engages with individuals to discover their most authentic self (the positive energy, their passions and strengths). Stephanie’s diverse career in the helping profession spans two continents. She uses her international experience, professional knowledge and living as an expatriate to enable others to create a fulfilling and balanced life. Stephanie is an adventurer, passionate about the ‘great outdoors’ and travelling to far flung places on this beautiful planet.
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