Paul told me he only had several major jobs during his adult life, and the job he had now as a sales rep was barely making ends meet. The job he held prior to that was with a large national company, again as a sales rep. He left that job after 5 years of doing quality work, but with no advancement, or significant pay increases. He told me he felt as though he were at a dead end, and so he put his feelers out. The company that hired him promised him a great position, with a great potential for bonuses and advancement. At the time I met Paul, neither had taken place, and Paul was a little discouraged, but trying to remain positive.

I asked him if he were doing what he liked, or wanted to do for a living and he answered a simple, but definite “No”. What happened next was quite a revelation. I asked him what he might like to do, or what would make him happy at work. He looked at me like I were the man in the moon and told me ” I have never thought about that before”. I sat there stunned and saddened. There I was, sitting with a guy, 53, employed his entire adult life, but had never thought of what he would like to actually be doing for his career. The story he told was sad, and one that I hear all to often.

In his youth he had taken a job to support a family, which was his primary concern. He stayed in that job until it ran out, then got another one, then repeated the cycle, and is repeating it today.

Paul and I got a refill of coffee, sat back down and began to make a plan, which we are working on together to break this 30 plus year cycle.

I will keep you posted on Paul’s progress through his process of shifting perceptions.

If this story is familiar to you, please write of call to discuss your situation.