Monday, January 9, 2017

What motivates you

Motivation is personal and unique to everyone. Money is a huge motivational factor for some while work-life balance, climbing the corporate ladder, praise, philanthropy, and comradery are other examples. Being thoughtful to what motivates people will help you better understand how to interact, collaborate, and lead. Understanding what motivates you will allow you to make better decisions for yourself. Of course, more money sounds great but what if that meant you couldn't spend time with your family on the weekend?

When I meet with clients they often don’t realize what is important to them, or to be more precise, what is most important to them. Career decisions don’t just affect your career, but also the rest of your life. Knowing what gets you up in the morning and finding it will be the key to your long term success and happiness.

How can you figure out what motivates you? Try writing out a list of things that are important to you. Really think about it and spend a couple hours on this project. Once complete, rank the list. No ties allowed. Share the list with a close friend or loved one. Let them ask you questions on your rankings. They could share a perspective you hadn't thought of. Then take that list and re-rank once again on your own.

When it comes time to make a decision, take a look at this list. How does that decision fit in with the important things in your life? How could that decision enhance or detract? What other choices do you have that could increase your happiness?

To learn more about career coaching go to www.katekibler.com

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Happy New Year!

You hear so much about New Year's resolutions. You may think you need to eat healthier, start working out, take up a new hobby, or whatever it is you are trying to achieve. This is also an opportunistic time to look at your career: successes from 2016, your accomplishments and anything you might have done differently in looking back. Consider being introspective, think about what will make you successful in 2017... and even, what defines success to you in 2017? 

If you are in a corporate job, you are likely writing your self review now. I encourage you to take your self review seriously, rather than treat as a task you need to accomplish. If you are hoping to be promoted, take time to understand what roadblocks are in your way. Be honest with yourself if those roadblocks are something you control or not. Most people are surprised when they realize they are the one standing in the way of their own success. Are you lacking a skill needed to do your job well or get to the next level? Ask your manager for the resources or opportunity to gain that skill. Take control and manage your career because I guarantee you there is no better advocate for your career than you. 

Happy New Year! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2017.

Kate Kibler
To learn more about career coaching, go to www.katekibler.com