The Power of Trying: Finding Light Through the Darkest Times
Long ago, I found myself in the middle of a very dark chapter in my life. I was seated across from a mental health practitioner, feeling lost, frustrated, and overcome with despair. Every option felt impossible; every solution seemed out of reach. I looked at him, his pen poised above the prescription pad, and I cried out, “But what can I do?” His answer was simple, yet profound: “You can always try.”
It was a small statement that held a powerful truth, one that has guided me time and again in different circumstances. No matter how bleak things might feel, we always have the choice to try. It doesn’t mean knowing exactly what to do or being sure of the outcome. It simply means taking a step—even a tiny one—in some direction.
There’s a saying that it’s easier to steer a moving object than one that is stationary. This truth applies to our energy as well. Movement, no matter how small, creates momentum. And when we try—when we just take a single step forward—we shift from being stuck to being in motion. That motion opens doors we couldn’t see when standing still. The simple act of trying is a quiet, resilient whisper to the universe that we aren’t giving up.
When we commit to trying, we enter a world of infinite possibilities, often described as “infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” It’s not about having all the answers or taking leaps; it’s about being open to what might come next. Even the smallest effort is never wasted. We may not see immediate results, but those efforts have a way of building on each other. Sometimes they surprise us, showing up as opportunities we hadn’t dreamed of or as new people entering our lives when we least expected them.
In life and career, the act of trying often leads us to places we wouldn’t have found otherwise. New connections, fresh ideas, and unexpected solutions often appear only after we’ve taken that first step. Trying is its own reward, giving us not only hope but also opening us to experiences that enrich us in ways we couldn’t have planned.
So, when you find yourself in a moment of doubt, remember: you can always try. That small act of courage, of moving forward despite uncertainty, is what shapes the path to a brighter tomorrow. Keep moving. Keep trying. A new chapter may be closer than you think.
Harnessing the Power of Self-Assessment Tools: A Key to Intentional Career Planning
When it comes to career planning, one of the most empowering ways to set yourself up for success is to build a deep understanding of your unique strengths, areas for growth, and personal goals. One of the most effective approaches for achieving this is through the combined use of self-assessment tools and career coaching. These tools—ranging from aptitude and personality assessments to skills tests—are valuable resources that help bring your core traits and abilities into focus, providing a strong foundation upon which you can design a fulfilling career path.
The Role of Self-Assessment Tools in Career Planning
Many people first encounter self-assessment tools in high school, often through aptitude and skill tests that encourage students to think about their potential career paths. But these tools go far beyond that first exposure. Today, self-assessment options range from fun, informal quizzes on social media to comprehensive, research-backed assessments that dive deeply into one’s personality, skills, and preferences. Used thoughtfully, these tools can be transformative for career seekers at any stage, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on who you are, what you want, and where you’re going.
Uncovering Strengths and Building Self-Awareness
Self-assessment tools bring crucial self-awareness to the forefront by helping you see yourself objectively. They can reveal strengths you may not have realized you have or help to clarify those that have remained underdeveloped. This self-awareness is an invaluable asset in career planning, as it allows you to identify and maximize your most marketable skills and traits. Self-assessments can guide you toward roles and industries where your abilities will shine and where your unique contributions will be valued.
Self-assessment tools are not only about identifying strengths but also about recognizing areas for growth. Suppose you have a dream job in mind but lack certain technical skills. In that case, the results of an assessment can help outline a clear path for skill development, highlighting areas where upskilling or additional education could be beneficial. It’s a forward-thinking approach that empowers you to focus on skill-building efforts strategically, increasing your potential to thrive in your desired role.
These tools can also help you identify if you have the right aptitude for the career you are looking at and can save you the heartache by potentially wasting time chasing a path not meant for you. These tools can help you find ways to fulfill your desires with career options that will match not only your skills but your values as well.
How Career Coaches Enhance Self-Assessment Insights
While self-assessment tools are undoubtedly powerful on their own, combining them with the insights of a career coach can elevate your career planning process even further. A skilled career coach can help you interpret your results, guiding you on how to leverage strengths and address areas for improvement. In my coaching work, I integrate self-assessment tools to help clients clarify their personal performance habits, preferences, and overall career readiness. By analyzing these results together, we gain a clear understanding of what kinds of work environments, responsibilities, and roles align best with their aspirations and strengths.
A career coach can also help you broaden your perspective, uncovering career paths you may not have considered. Self-assessment results can highlight soft skills, latent talents, and hidden strengths that shine a light on new possibilities. Through coaching, you can explore how these qualities might translate into career options that align with your ideal lifestyle, work-life balance, and long-term goals.
Creating a Strategic and Aligned Career Path
When used in tandem, self-assessment tools and career coaching provide a structured, intentional approach to career planning. Together, they can help you see a clear path forward, identifying both immediate next steps and longer-term goals. They allow you to create a career path that fits seamlessly into your current lifestyle while also aligning with the future lifestyle you envision.
By utilizing self-assessment tools and engaging with a career coach, you equip yourself with the clarity, confidence, and actionable insights needed to make career choices with intention. This partnership empowers you to navigate career transitions, make skill development decisions, and explore new roles with a strategic mindset—ultimately leading to a career journey that is both fulfilling and aligned with your true self.
Final Thoughts
Self-assessment tools and career coaching offer a comprehensive, empowering approach to career planning that centers on personal growth and self-awareness. Whether you are just starting out, changing careers, or simply looking to fine-tune your current trajectory, leveraging these tools can be transformative. The journey to a fulfilling career is not just about knowing what you want to do but also about understanding who you are. When you combine self-assessment insights with personalized coaching, you set yourself up to build a career that resonates with both your professional goals and your personal aspirations.
#careercoaching, #teamwork, #professionaldevelopment, #personaldevelopment, #investinginyourself
Celebrating the 'Aha' Moment.
Celebrate the ‘Aha’ Moment
One of the greatest moments I experience is when my clients have an "aha" moment. You know the moment—when they have an epiphany, when all the pieces come together, and they are able to see or realize something about themselves and their journey that had not been obvious to them before. These aha moments are wonderful to witness, as the client visibly becomes more confident, less confused or stressed, and more at peace. It is an incredibly powerful moment.
Defining Success: A Common ‘Aha’ Moment
One of the first “aha” moments my clients typically have comes when we talk about what success means for them as an individual. For most of us, we grow up chasing an idea or definition of success that is not our own. We often get our ideas of what success is from our parents, our communities, and what we see in the media and popular culture, as well as from our peers. Many of my clients have become exhausted and exasperated chasing an ideal of success that holds no truth or value to them as individuals.
The Realization: Success is Personal
Success is different things to different people. It comes to us at different times, for different reasons, and it looks different for everyone. Realizing that you have the power to define success on your own terms to fit your needs and wants can be a very empowering moment and a critical one when doing career planning. Success is also a fluid construct that bends and shapes itself to what you need it to be as you move through life, as our lives also bend and shape in reaction to the world within and around us.
The Impact of Aha Moments
Having the privilege to be present when a client experiences an “aha” moment is an incredible experience. These moments of self-empowerment and growth are milestones worth celebrating. When a client understands that they can define success for themselves, it changes everything. They start to see their path more clearly, make decisions with greater confidence, and pursue goals that genuinely matter to them.
Celebrating the Journey
Savor the sweetness of these aha moments. Celebrate them. They are signs of growth, empowerment, and progress. Remember to enjoy the journey and take pride in each step forward, no matter how small it may seem.
Takeaways
Personal Definition of Success: Understand that success is personal and can be defined by you, not imposed by others.
Empowerment Through Realization: Recognize that you have the power to shape your own success, leading to increased confidence and peace.
Celebrate Growth: Acknowledge and celebrate the moments of clarity and self-empowerment as they are significant milestones on your journey.
In conclusion, the “aha” moments are powerful transformations that bring clarity and direction. They are worth celebrating and cherishing, for they mark the points where you truly begin to live life on your terms. Enjoy the journey and every aha moment along the way.