Jean Caton - Inspiring and Empowering the Women of the World... One Woman at a Time

What's Next?...The Evolution of a Career

By Jean Caton, Business Life Coach, Speaker, Marketing Strategist

What’s next? I have asked this question repeatedly throughout my satisfying and financially rewarding career. The most recent answer to the question is to become aBusiness-Life Coach. That is quite a stretch from the student who entered college to study dietetics because chemistry was her favorite subject in high school. However, that wonderful question has propelled my career advancement through several exciting, challenging, and rewarding jobs.

Early Career: The fist time I asked the “what’s next” question was after nine years working in hospitals as a Clinical Dietitian, Chief of Dietetics, and Education/Dietetic Internship Director in two Boston area hospitals. The answer to “what’s next’ at that time meant I took my MS,MBA, RD credentials and relocated to Chicago, IL to take a position as a Product Manager in the Marketing Department of a large Medical Device company. Next, I was on the move again. I was recruited away to an exciting marketing job in a company with international opportunities. After yet another relocation to follow a job of my dreams, and subsequently positions in two more Fortune 500 companies, I was ready for a new challenge. There I was again asking, “What’s Next?”.

Business-Life Coach: After 20+ exciting years in corporate America, when I again asked the question “what’s next?” the answer was not readily apparent. One thing I did know was accepting a great job offer that would require relocation was not the right answer. Therefore, I courageously turned it down. That decision helped me decide I was ready to start a home-based business. After additional discernment, the decision to enter the emerging new profession and become a coach became clear. After all a dietitian I hired years earlier and mentored during her successful career in advertising agencies and pharmaceutical companies was already calling me "coach". Due diligence in the form of numerous information interviews with coaches, research on the internet, assessment of my personal vision, goals, strengths, interests, and lifestyle needs resulted in my enrolling in a globally recognized coach training school Coach U (www.coachu.com ) The Coach U training is exceptional. It is a virtual school with classes on the telephone supported by textbooks, downloadable tools galore, and a dynamic virtual community of coaches. Coach U is one of many ICF certified coach- training programs if your goal is to enter the coaching profession. If on the other hand, your goal is to learn coaching skills to enhance your work as a RD or personal trainer, and improve your ability to help clients make sustainable changes in health and fitness you may be interested in a program such as www.wellcoach.com. The professional association for coaches that parallels the ADA for dietitians is the International Coach Federation (ICF)www.coachfederation.org .

My current work as a Business-Life coach is clearly my calling. Working from a home office, inspiring and empowering others by coaching, speaking to associations and groups, sponsoring teleclass, and writing, provide me a diverse, interesting, and rewarding way to use my talents, wisdom, and energy to help others develop the confidence and skills to achieve the greatest potential. I am excited about how my RD colleagues have embraced the benefits of having a coach to support their personal and professional growth.

As I look back on decisions that positioned me for success as a business-life coach they include:

Life long learning – every possible training seminar on leadership, management, communication , selling, and self-development
Read the business best sellers, professional literature, and business newspapers
Develop excellent communication skills –one on one and in groups
and, of course maintain my RD and ADA membership

Coach Tips

Career Roadmap: If you are ready to ask the question, “What’s next?” it is essential that you clarify your vision and develop a Career Roadmap. When you map the route for your vacation, you must know where you want to end up. The same is true for your career. Know where you want to go or else you may arrive at a place where you don’t belong. A clear vision of where you want to be in the future will pull you toward your goals. Clarify your vision for your career or business by asking yourself these questions:

“What do I want to achieve in my career?”
“What does success mean to me?”
“What are my values and needs?”
“What brings me the greatest fulfillment in my life?”
“Am I willing to take the required risks?”
“What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve what I want?”
“How much do I want this?”
“What will it take to get there?”
“What are the advantages and disadvantages of not living my vision?”

Take calculated risks along the way: George Patton has been quoted, “Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.” Gathering information and thoughtfully weighing the cost and benefits means the risk calculated.

Remain State of the Art: It is easy to become obsolete in this world of rapidly advancing technology, global influence, and competition. Some of the best ways to remain cutting edge are:

Read business and professional literature, such as the The Wall Street Journal Business Bestsellers, and other publications relevant to your field
Be actively involved in your professional associations
Attend relevant seminars and trade shows to be up to date on industry issues

Align your calling with your career: Do what you love, get paid what you deserve, work in a job consistent with your values.

Keep asking, “What’s Next?”

Enjoy the Journey!

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Jean Caton is a speaker, coach, and marketing strategist. She works with businesswomen in corporate America, Healthcare, and entrepreneurs to challenge and support them to attain their professional and personal goals and live a life full of achievement, self-acceptance, and serenity. Jean can be reached at: MyCoachJean@JeanCaton.net