What's Your Story?
Take the first step to identifying those essential values, needs and interests that must be followed if you are to be true to yourself in your work and your life. Reflect on some of the important life questions that will be used to start your Core Themes exploration. Tell the story of yourself!
You may find it helpful to set the right mood for this reflection to take place. Set aside some quiet time — no telephone, television or kids in a favorite place where thinking comes easily. It may be helpful to take notes on your answers, or even to write down your thoughts in an essay or a memoir.
Here are some of the questions we use to help you get started...
Who are you? Write as much as you can about yourself. Describe your traits, talents and beliefs. What responsibilities do you have? How many roles do you play in your life? Do you define yourself by your job title, by what you do, or by your possessions? Are you a spiritual or religious person?
How would your closest friends and family describe who you are? Would their descriptions match your own?
How would you describe your mother and father? How did their work influence your family life? What was it like growing up in your household? Do you look back on your childhood with warm, loving feelings, or was growing up painful and difficult?
What was school like for you? What kind of student were you? What is the single most important experience or memory that has affected your life?
How exactly did you choose the path you are currently on? Was it the love of a subject, or simple fate in getting hired by a particular company or getting into a certain school?
Did you ever have a caree plan? What were your expectations as you started the path you're on? How did going to work feel in the beginning? Is it what you imagined? How is it different?
What is the one thing you do better than anyone else you know?
With your story in hand you have taken the first step toward clarity. Now you are ready to start the Core Themes process!
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Finding Your Career Path