Updated: Jul 16, 2018
I wish somebody had told me what I know now about what to do when I grew up. I grew up in a large family so by the time it got to me (number 5 of 6) my parents were just plain tired. When I did the usual exploring as a child such as: “I want to be a lawyer”, “I want to be a policewoman” or “I want to own my own business”, I was met with the usual explanations and excuses about why I couldn’t be any of those things. There was no exploring. There was no opportunity to ask questions. It was a straight out…..”you can’t do that”! I think they wanted me to take the easy road because they were tired from the previous four “angels” before me!
Well, I didn’t take the easy road. Not by a long shot.
By the time I started middle school, I didn’t do so well. I was distracted by lots of stimuli but mostly by boys. Maybe I was just bored. When I graduated from high school I got a great job working as a secretary in an office – making pretty good money – definitely enough to party with my friends and avoid going to college.
In the background, I knew I wanted to go to school, just didn’t know how or when. It kept nagging at me. Ten years goes by, the itch became strong enough for me to enroll in my first class in college.
Still not sure exactly what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to help teens. I wanted to help teens like I was figure out what they wanted to do with their lives. It seemed to me that all the attention was on the kids who did well in school and not enough on the kids who strayed.
So, my path started with that FIRST class. It took me 10 years to finish college, only being able to afford to take 2 classes at a time and completed with no student loans.
Shortly before graduation, I had a class project to identify a community problem, formulate a plan and implement a solution. I got special permission to begin my idea for a nonprofit organization and became an Executive Director for a nonprofit organization that helped teen mothers become independent and off of welfare. All started before graduation because, at the time, I didn't realize that you can't stop a moving train. One I created.
I did that for 16 years and my program supported over 800 girls and over 1,000 children. I helped them DO WHAT THEY LOVED.
After turning the organization over to a new Executive Director, I transitioned into Career Coaching. I am still able to help people DO WHAT THEY LOVE! I help people unblock the energy blocks that keep them stuck from moving forward. I help them get out of their own way to create their BIG LIFE. A life they LOVE.
My point is…..LISTEN TO YOUR HEART. Listen to what’s important to you. There are a lot of paths to take. Just because you make one decision doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind.
Experts say that we change careers on the average of five times in our lifetime. Our life cycle is between 75-90 years. What do you want to say that you’ve done when you’re 90 sitting in your rocking chair? What are you committed to? What challenges do you have in your way? What are your excuses?
Allison Field, CPC, MCC, ELI-MP – Career Design & Leadership Coach
I help people master their energy potential.
I’d love to explore what’s possible in your life! Click here to schedule a FREE Exploration Call!
