“What is the one thing you can’t stop thinking about?” If you had to answer that question right here, right now, what would your answer be?
It was January 25, 2018. My plane had just touched down in London. My husband and I made a major move from California to the United Kingdom for his career. I had no idea what this journey would hold for me, but I stepped out in faith because that is what you do for the person you love and he hasn’t steered me wrong yet! A couple of weeks in, I was already asking myself what I was going to do with my life. I had left my job, sold our house, sold two cars, and moved across the pond to a country I had never visited and immersed myself in a new culture. Cue somewhat of an identity crisis. Some of you may be thinking, “That is so cool, shut up right now.” I get that. But as a highly driven, some-what-of-a work-oholic person, I was suddenly sitting around with A LOT of time on my hands. I missed my job, I missed my friends, and, if I’m totally honest, I missed Target (ok, and Chik-fil-a and Nordstrom Rack).
But, despite all of the change in my life, there was one major thing I couldn’t stop thinking about! I absolutely love helping young students plan and prepare for their future careers. Is there a greater impact you can make than helping someone articulate their dreams, believe in themselves, and crush their professional goals allowing them to earn a living for themselves and their family? For me, that is so motivating! I actually CRAVE the opportunity to invest in others professionally, it gives me purpose!
So, what was the one thing I couldn’t stop thinking about? I wanted to help students get their careers off to an amazing start. And while group workshops and classes are great places to start, I wanted to dig way deeper and go beyond that.
I wanted to individually sit down and invest a lot of time personally getting to know students, help them figure out what really makes them tick, and totally commit to helping them reach their goals.
Why?
Because I know the power of someone believing in you, even when you don’t really believe in yourself. And THAT is what helps people achieve and then surpass their own goals.
Here I am, exactly one year into my journey of taking the plunge and becoming an independent career coach for students. Am I killing it as a new business owner…ha! Not yet. BUT, I do have some amazing young individuals who are working so hard to achieve their goals, who are committed to a professional vision, and who are challenging themselves, pushing themselves, and are already seeing results fueling their motivation levels. And to me, that’s what it is all about. Empowering others and seeing them accomplish more than they thought possible!
What’s the one thing I can’t stop thinking about now? How excited I am to continue working with these students and watching them grow professionally. I can’t stop thinking about how I am going to see them pop-up in my LinkedIn newsfeed in 5 years and learn that they have been promoted yet again. At that moment, I will cheer them on and have such amazing satisfaction in knowing that I may have watered that growing plant along the way.
What’s the one thing you can’t stop thinking about? Dream big! Then find a cheerleader, confidant, friend, or coach who is going to challenge, mentor, encourage, and EMPOWER you along the way.
I am a passionate Career Coach and Educator dedicated to the professional development and success of students! How can I help you or a student in your life to identify and achieve career goals? To learn more about me, visit my website at www.lorenkellycoaching.com or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.