Coaching For Clients Who Feel "Stuck" In Their Careers
Think back to a time in your life when you felt “stuck.” This may have been 10 years ago, 10 months ago, or 10 days ago. What did it feel like? What stories did you tell yourself about it? What resources — internal and external — did you utilize to move beyond it? We all have experienced feeling “stuck” at some point in our lives.
One reason my clients engage in coaching is that they feel “stuck” in their careers. Some clients want to stay in their professional fields, while others seek a career change. Many don’t know what they want to do or the path to get there. Some get into action by applying for job positions and networking, while others feel afraid and procrastinate.
”Stuck” Is A Perspective
When a client states that he/she is “stuck,” the client is communicating a perspective. A perspective is an interpretation of a circumstance. I help clients look inward to become more aware of and explore their current perspective. I listen and ask them to consider introspective questions, such as: “How are you defining ‘stuck’?” “Where is ‘stuck’ located in your body?” “How are you relating to ‘stuck’?” I make observations, such as: “I noticed a frown on your face and a slump in your posture.” I share my intuitive sense and encourage clients to share their intuitive sense. For example, I may say to a client: “I sense stagnant energy here. What do you sense?” This inquiry helps clients realize that they were viewing their career from only one perspective — the perspective of “stuck” — which is based on a limited belief. When clients view their career from only one perspective, they are usually less resourceful and they may feel victimized by their circumstances.
Another Perspective Might Be…
Once clients gain more insight about feeling “stuck,” I use coaching skills to help them gain perspective. For instance, I may say to a client: “You appear to be viewing your situation from only one perspective. What’s another way you can interpret the circumstances around your career?” Or: “What does your career look like from a Chief Executive Officer’s perspective?” When clients look at their career from a multitude of angles, they usually think differently about themselves and their career. New possibilities emerge when they move beyond their limited thinking, which allows them to design plans and take new actions to move forward in their career.
Sometimes feeling “stuck” is a gift and an opportunity for us to slow down, turn our attention inward, and discover the treasures that await.
Photo by Anika Huizinga on Unsplash