Time Affluence is a Happiness Predictor

“I have just don’t have the time to do anything fun anymore.”  Jack said. Jack commuted from Stratford to Norwalk back and forth each day, about a 25-minute commute. He usually left his house only a few minutes after his elementary school children woke up and would do his best to rush home before they went […]

What Exactly is Preventing You From Where You Want to Be in Your Career?

Many people continue to struggle with a career vision for much of their life.  “What do I want to do when I grow up” is not just a question people ask themselves during their childhood years anymore.  This uncertainty plagues many people for well past their adolescence.  However, some posit an objectively clear career vision, […]

How Great Would It Be If Your Work Made You Happy?

I am lucky because there are many days where my work actually lifts my mood. I have refrained from telling people this because I realize that it can add to their own distress about their jobs.  Many of you on this site want to believe that work can be or almost be fun.  But understandably […]

Decide To Change Your Career

If you are unhappy change your career right now and commit to that decision. Change occurs not instantaneously, but rather over a series of baby steps that eventually lead you to your ultimate goal. What prevents people from pursuing their career dreams? Many facets do, but what I have seen most in my years as […]

Your Career Is Your Life. Don’t Settle for Mediocrity

Michael walked in for our counseling session. He was visibly nervous.  He apologized for being late (only by about two minutes); for being a mess (it was storming outside); and for not printing out his resume (which I already had in my email). Mike described his job. His boss was demanding and C-level management was even […]

Wait…I Can Be Happy at Work?

Work is called “work” for a reason.  It has never meant to be fun or enjoyable. The history of work for most of humankind can exemplify this statement.  Dating all the way back to the very first form of work, from hunter gatherer societies to the reign of Julius Caesar in ancient Rome, common people […]

Should You Be Pursuing a New Career?

In the past 6 months I’ve had multiple career counseling sessions with Cheryl.  Cheryl has a good job.  Her salary is $120,000, she has a solid position, and her job and industry are both secure.  Her commute is 25 minutes, she works reasonable hours, and the boss is fine. However, she doesn’t really like her […]

The Wonderful New World of Work

Sometimes I stay silent about my work world. Why?  I’m with people my age who are usually complaining about their jobs.  They are locked into the traditional work world of big organizations.  They are immersed in office politicing, title striving, and, budget worrying.  They discuss the “fires” they put out or use terms like “battle” […]

Career Risk – Staying Has More Risk Than Leaving

“I despise my job.”   As a career coach, I hear is phrase a lot.  I also hear: “I’m thinking of doing something else but at the end of the day I do not want to take the risk and leave my secure job.” It is very common for people to be highly focused on […]