I’m sometimes surprised at the way coaching clients say “no” to exploring what they really want in their lives because their focus in our work together is on their career.  This can have the strange effect that the signs of their discontent are there for everyone to see – except the client.  For if your current job is not in tune with your deepest aspirations what’s the point of seeking to sort out this bit of the job or that?  What use is tinkering with the engine when you’re driving the wrong car?

So, if you’re thinking about your next career move, one way to get started is to imagine the life you most want to lead, allowing yourself to feel your way into this future life as you go.  And if you find that a part of you is raising objections even as you start to dream you might like to cut a deal with that part of you and ask it:  “if I agree to come back and hear your concerns by (set a time – next week, tomorrow, whatever) would you allow me to take this time just to dream?”  Be sure to be sincere in your commitment to come back to hear those concerns and set a timescale that works for both the dreamer in you and the pragmatist.

Now there are many ways to imagine your dream life so the ones I offer here are just some of the multiple possibilities:

• If you enjoy writing (as I do) sit at your computer or with pen and paper and just write.  Imagine that you are already living your dream life and write about everything that you notice is true for you.  Keep writing as long as you feel inspired then take a break, come back, read what you’ve written and write some more.  Notice where you’re living and in what circumstances.  Notice how you’re spending your time at work and at play.  Notice what’s true of your relationships – who are you spending time with and how?  Notice what money you have in this perfect life.  Notice what’s true of your health – be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual;
• You might like to build up a scrap book or picture board of your dream life using words and pictures.  Take some old magazines and browse through them, cutting or tearing any images that you warm to – these are clues about the kind of life you want to lead.  In the same way, cut out words or quotes or anything else that brings you closer to imagining your dream life.  Keep doing this until you feel this dream life is complete;
• Take some time with someone – your friend or coach or partner – who is able to leave practicalities to one side (they come later) and to hear you talk about the kind of life you would really love to live.  Allow this discussion to have an open-ended, exploratory feel – there are no decisions to be made yet, just possibilities to explore.

Whichever way you choose, notice where the energy is in your explorations – notice what ideas have resonance for you or are most compelling.  If you pay attention to this energy you will begin to build a picture of your “dream life” that is a reflection of who you are and what you most want.  Notice, too, how committed you are to building a life that is perfect for you.  (If for any reason you’re not, you might like to expore this with your coach).  The more you have a sense of the life you want to lead, the more you will be able to imagine the kind of job that best supports and sustains you both at work and in creating the life of your dreams.

Be sure to let me know how you get on.