Steve Jobs had the following memorable line:
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
Great work means different things for each of us at different points in our lives. What was great work for me when I came out of college is very different from what I consider great work today. Great work is great not because we’re good at it; rather, it’s when we see ourselves learning, executing, and improving – a flywheel of self-confidence and wisdom in motion.
How many of us actually find great work? For many who are still searching for the ideal career, Jobs’ quote is a vast over-simplification, but not an unattainable goal. You don’t have to toil away in the darkness alone.
A certified and trained career coach, like the ones we work with at ideamix coaching, is a knowledgeable, targeted resource to help you identify your desires, strengths, and goals to take concrete steps to achieve the career you love. Our coaches do this by asking you the right questions, providing tactical advice, and holding you accountable through assessment and feedback.
Career coaches help people develop their career skills and knowledge, identify their career goals, create a plan, and execute on concrete steps. They also help individuals navigate career transitions, such as job loss or a change in career direction.
Here are the top three ways to supercharge your career with a career coach.
Gain clarity to act
Clarify your goals and develop a plan to achieve them with a coach. They’ll help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set SMART goals, and create a roadmap to achieve them. They’ll also help you to overcome obstacles, make adjustments, and stay motivated.
Get objective feedback and guidance
A coach provides you with objective feedback on your skills, abilities, and performance, helping identify areas and strategies for improvement.
Enhance confidence and resilience
A coach helps you learn necessary skills to enhance your confidence in your abilities, developing coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and setbacks along the way.
How coaching can help your career
Here are some specific examples of how coaching can help you supercharge your career:
- If you’re looking for a new job, a coach can help you to polish your resume, practice your interviewing skills, and network with potential employers
- If you’re in a leadership position, a coach can help you to develop your leadership skills, improve your decision-making abilities, and build a more effective team
- If you’re feeling stuck in your career, a coach can help you to identify new opportunities, set new goals, and take action to achieve them
- If you’re serious about taking your career to the next level, I encourage you to consider working with a career coach. A good coach can be a valuable asset and help you to achieve your goals faster and more easily
How to get the most out of career coaching
Here are some additional tips for getting the most out of career coaching:
- Be clear about your goals and expectations. What do you want to achieve as a career outcome?
- Be willing to be open and honest with your coach. The more they know about you, the better they can help you
- Be willing to put in the work. Coaching is not a magic bullet. You will need to be willing to put in the effort to achieve your goals
- Find a coach who is a good fit for you. There are many different types of coaches, so it is important to find one who you feel comfortable with and who you can trust
