Are You A Career Castaway?
Navigate Your Way To Greater Career Success!
For people just starting out on a career path or those who are drifting in a job that's taking them nowhere, a practical compass is now available to chart the way. It comes in the form of a new book, The CoachCompass®: Navigation Tools for Career and Life Success, by Wendy B. Adams and Gene A. Pometto, Jr.
As veteran success consultants, the authors build a plausible case that anyone who has the will for it can take charge of their career and realize a satisfying working life founded on their own personal definition of success. For those equipped with the know-how and motivation, this gain can happen at any juncture, even during the years traditionally reserved for retirement.
Adams and Pometto make it clear - a job is not a career and should not be viewed as such. Rather, a career encompasses the entire course of one's working life. A common mistake many people make, the authors contend, is focusing too much on the job, while overlooking the essential elements that could lead to more a fulfilling career. These crucial career elements begin with a personal definition of success that ultimately leads to "experiencing that success wherever we are and with whatever we choose to do or be."
The authors believe that it is every person's birthright to define success on their own terms and pursue a vocation that makes the best use of their talents and passions. The most meaningful work, they suggest, is work that allows a person to express his or her authentic self.
As a means to achieve this in a world challenged by a rapidly changing workforce, Adams and Pometto describe the four basic stages in the personal career lifecycle. Each of these stages: planning, development, management and transition are in turn broken down into conceptual, concrete, and creative areas, and then, into the twelve potential positions of the career.
Within each of the position descriptions presented in the CoachCompass®, the authors supply real-life examples of people who are merely "treading water," and offer sound strategies that could potentially set them on a more rewarding course. They also provide abundant examples of how each of these positions can be comfortably navigated in positive, growth-promoting ways, and conversely, how the lack of self-knowledge and motivation when overcoming obstacles may eventually lead to apathy, stagnation and disappointment.
To the question "How successful do you want to be?" Adams and Pometto say this: "You decide." From there, they serve as expert guides providing individualized assistance every step of the way.
Reviewed by Jay Wilke |
