- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 11 months ago by Matt Turner.
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May 21, 2014 at 9:16 am #56774LisaParticipant
Hi, there. A big part of why I think that I remain in the same comfortable, no-room-for-advancement job is that I don’t think that I have any other talents. I’ve been a legal secretary since I was 18 years old and am now 48 (yikes!). I’ve always liked the people that I work with and I certainly don’t hate my job, but it’s the limit on the potential to advance that makes me feel like I’m just accepting “comfortable”. When I read about others who go on to become successful utilizing the LOA, they always seem to have some type of distinguishable talent – writing, artistry, coaching, public speaking, etc. I really have a hard time figuring out what else I could possibly be capable of doing that will advance my life into a great financial place (and that I’ll love doing!). Am I seriously just meant to be a secretary all of my life and live with a mediocre salary?? How do I find a way to fly out of the birdcage that has always been wide open, but I’ve kept safely inside of for so long?
Thanks for any advice you can give! 🙂
May 21, 2014 at 12:48 pm #56803JoyceParticipantHi Lisa,
I am dealing with the same frantic situation at the moment. I laughed about it with my therapist as I described it as a frantic running around whilst pulling my hair out looking for something I lost. She said there’s no other way to find out than to get out there and ‘play or ‘create’. Unless we actually physically step out and try new things, we will never know what makes us tick. I gave my notice at work last week as I was going nowhere in my job and stayed because I felt I had to. That’s not fair to any of the parties involved. I have no idea what I’ll do next but I adament I will go and find out what I really want.
Is there anything you’ve ever wanted to try or did you see something on television that you really liked? Perhaps you can enrol in a course or do a workshop of one thing or another? Just have a look around and see what tickles your fancy. It may be flower arranging or skydiving. Who knows? That’s the exciting part you’re free to discover whatever you want. Perhaps take a little holiday away from everything to clear your mind. For you to write this post shows that something inside of you is giving you a strong message. Don’t ignore your inner voice. Definitely believe that something will come your way.
I also recommend the book ‘The Passion Test’ by Janet Bray Attwood. It’s an easy read with guidelines on how to figure out what’s really important to you and how to attract those things into your life and living your purpose.
I hope what I wrote is of a little help to you. Good luck in your journey. I bet when you really look inside yourself you have a ton of skills waiting to come out you just don’t know it as yet.
Love,
Joyce.May 22, 2014 at 11:44 am #56864LisaParticipantHi, Joyce.
Thank you so much for taking the time out to respond to my post. Your advice was very helpful and insightful. I actually have read “The Passion Test” (good book!). I guess I’ve been too comfortable being comfortable and I haven’t pushed myself to explore any new avenues of interest. Sitting back and fretting or just wondering isn’t going to get me anywhere. Time for action! Thank you!!
By the way, I wish you the best in your next “chapter”. You sound like you have a great attitude and that will take you far. Sending positive energy your way!! Go out there and be AMAZING!!
Wishing you love, happiness and peace,
Lisa 🙂May 23, 2014 at 12:08 am #56938JoyceParticipantHi Lisa,
It makes me so happy to think I have inspired you to get out of your comfort zone. It’s so easy to get stuck isn’t it into that zone? I know what that is like. I only realized it recently that I’ve been standing on the sideline cheering everyone else on except myself. Taking a leap of faith is so scary but it will be oh so worth it.
I am sending you all the beautiful things you wished upon me back and more. You make sure you get out there too and shine! Spread your love and light. 🙂
Much love,
Joyce xxMay 23, 2014 at 7:53 am #56946LisaParticipantYou are so right, Joyce. It is so easy to get stuck in that “zone”. As you said, sometimes a leap of faith is the only form of transportation!
Thanks again and wishing you wonderful days chock-full of the things you love most!
Lisa <3
June 12, 2014 at 8:29 am #58711MikeParticipantI have been in the same boat for a while now. I really have found that the Briggs-Meyer typology test base on Carl Jung or Jungian psychology has helped me. It doesn’t tell you exactly what to do, but it may give you some insight into your personality type. If you do a good search you can find some free ones in order to get your four letters. For example I am an INTP (Introvert, iNtuitive, Thinking, percieving) I can then look up what is typical of my personality type. I simply have used it to learn about myself and I have found it to be pretty accurate. I have heard that if you if you aren’t sure what your passion is then to think of what you do the most of and enjoy doing and also think of those people in professions that you have always found your self having respect for, or seen as a role model and maybe a bit of envy and maybe that is what you really want to be doing. For me I have always enjoyed writing down my thoughts and ideas, I also greatly respect writers, professors, philosophers, psychologists so for me I can see that is where I want to be myself. I went to school for law enforcement, did an internship in a homicide department and I learned that while I respect police officers I do not want to be one. I would rather be the person helping the family get through grief than the investigator. My personality type just doesn’t go along with law enforcement.
January 5, 2015 at 10:11 am #59043Matt TurnerParticipantHello Lisa,
Thank you for sharing this common, but crippling problem. I think we’ve all probably been there at one point or another. One part of your original post intrigued me. It was this question you posed yourself; Am I seriously just meant to be a secretary all of my life and live with a mediocre salary??
First, look at yourself in the mirror and answer that question. Yes or no? Then take a look at what you see when you say that. Do you see conviction, fear etc. Depending on your answer and what you see, that will give you an insight into what’s going on at a deeper level. I’m guessing you possibly know this already, but if not, awareness of something deep down is valuable.
Next, think about the question itself. How you see your job, yourself and your salary could be part of the issue. Look at the language you use in everyday life. The words that come out of our mouth are simply a projection of our thoughts, mindset and perception.
Once you are aware of those words, change them. For instance, replace the word ‘but’ with ‘and’. Choose other words you say frequently to yourself and change them with something else. Think about the language you use and why you use it?
I hope these little tips help in some way.
I wish you well and much warmth,
Matt.
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