The subject of this post is the following statement and all the possible permutations it could cover. I heard it this week and it got me to thinking.
“I think entirely too much but hey that’s what you want me to do right?”
The context is that if you are afraid to do what you want you could end up regretting not trying or following your dream or taking that risk. I will be faced with this dilemma over the next 24 months. Do I have the guts to retire early and follow my “dream” to be a life coach? Is this a dream that could turn into a nightmare?
I could very well keep working, making a good salary and increasing my pension which would eventually pay me more when I do retire. I could never make full pension because I started in my 30’s. I will have enough to live on but I will have to be careful.
Money aside, I’m really good at what I do and I enjoy my job and the people I work with. Giving them up will be a loss to me. Even thinking about that is upsetting. Going back to school does not scare me because I went to McGill in my later 30’s and often take courses plus I know I’m smarter than most of the other students.
It will feel so bizarre when someone asks me what I do for a living and I say,” I’m a student”. So much of how we are perceived in the world is in the answer to that four word question. People do ask me what I plan to do when I retire and when I tell them I’m planning to become a life coach they look puzzled and ask what a life coach is. For those of you in the same boat, here’s is a good definition of what a life coach does and perhaps as importantly does not do.
Life coaching is a practice with the aim of helping clients determine and achieve personal goals. Life coaches use multiple methods that will help clients with the process of setting and reaching goals. Coaching is not targeted at psychological illness, and coaches are not therapists nor are they consultants.
Life coaching has roots in executive coaching, which itself drew on techniques developed in management consulting and leadership training. Life coaching also draws inspiration from disciplines including sociology, psychology, positive adult development, career counseling, mentoring, and other types of counseling. The coach may apply mentoring, values assessment, behavior modification, behavior modeling, goal-setting, and other techniques in helping their clients.
Getting back to whether I will have the intestinal fortitude to make such a drastic change to my life, I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I’m pretty gutsy but this a huge step for me. What if nobody wants to be coached by me?
I’ve read quite a bit about people who change careers and never look back and wonder why they didn’t do it sooner. Every article I see about this subject I read. Most of them were unhappy in their jobs which is not my case. I do feel I have more to offer the world both in the coaching role and also this will give me time to do the volunteer work I’ll enjoy. I do feel the need to give back.
Okay folks, I would love to hear your opinion on this potential life changing plan. I would particularly like to hear from those who have made changes, how you’ve handled the changes and whether if you had to do it all again, you would (or would not). Too bad I can’t provide you voting buttons like on Outlook.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you should go for it. You have so much to offer as a life coach. You basically already do this daily albeit on an informal level, but, should you choose to retire and take on this new profession, I feel certain that you will excel and help many people along the way. I’ll be rooting for you.
I say DO IT!
You should count yourself lucky that you have something you’re passionate about AND you’re good at it AND you have the opportunity to go for it. Many people are not so fortunate.
Take a deep breath and jump in with both feet. That way you can use your own life story as an example for your future clients
I’m gonna play Devil’s Advocate here and say DON’T do it. Here me out before condemning me for being a spoilsport.
The economic climate is very, very iffy right now. I myself have been unable to find a job after a year of searching. What if you switch from the career you currently enjoy and then find that your dream career turns out to not be as great as you anticipated? Or if it doesn’t earn you enough to live off? Can you be sure you’d be able to fallback on your old career? It’s a huge decision, and not one to take lightly. You have friends in your current job, and a sustainable life, only make the switch if you are absolutely sure you can sustain yourself.
That being said, on the flipside there is that saying “Get the job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. It would be fantastic if you could nail your dream job and make a living from it. But not everyone can manage this. Do you have what it takes? And that, I am afraid, is a question only you can answer.
Whatever your choice, good luck.
ML, spoken by the same person who doesn’t think I need to lose weight.
Thank you for always being in my corner and please do not have new glasses made, I don’t think I could handle the shock of you seeing me clearly.
Richard, excellent point Svengali! It’s a matter of credibility.
Thanks for the reality check.
Revelation, I agree with you. I wouldn’t retire from my first career until I had enough money to live on. The coaching is a combination of what I like to do with some opportunity to make some extra cash. I absolutely would not do it without having the necessary money behind me. Thanks for sharing your realistic view.
go for it girl!
There are of course a number of business necessities that you have already probably sorted out, but I otherwise STRONGLY encourage you to go ahead with this initiative. Just the fact that you are inspired and motivated to launch yourself in a new direction with zeal and enthusiasm is sufficient cause to greenlight this career move, in my humble opinion.
Speaking as someone who spent his typical “college years” working in offices and learning the ropes of sales, team management, etc., then having blown my top one day and having decided to teach part-time instead and to go back to University to get a degree in what I am truly passionate about, I would have to say that it was the best (and somewhat frightening) decision of my life.
Do it!
Jason, you can speak from experience on this one. As always time will tell whether our decisions are the correct ones nevertheless at the very least you can say you followed your dream. I never really had a dream other than to have children which is what I did (and aren’t you glad). Other than that, it was to provide for them and ensure I was never a burden to them. It is pretty cool that I have this new opportunity. I’m pretty sure I’m going to go for it.
Richard, thank you for commenting, it is a rare treat. How do you feel about being the conduit to this opportunity of mine? I think it is super cool and unusual. The fact that we are only 20 years apart has made for an interesting relationship which I wouldn’t trade for anything. Thank you for being a great son and supporter.
i agree, do something otherwise regret not doing it. also do it now, for tomorrow it may be too late. thanks for the share.
I think we should do whatever that will make us happy. After all, in the end, we owe it to ourselves only. I was once in that situation, thinking here and there about some life changing decisions but I finally come into a realization that I have to do what would make me happy with the short time that I have to live in this world.
God Bless!