Tag Archives: change

Reflections on Time Management

Posted by: Denise Hall on July 17, 2015 8:06 am

A common complaint from my friends and colleagues is that we should manage our time better. We think it is just a matter of “getting organized”. I would like to reflect on what I think managing our time actually involves and why it is important that we address the issue of our time constraints.time-608876_640

“Time is money” and the thinking goes if we are more efficient with our time the more money or benefit we will accumulate. Also being “on time” is a quality that some people get obsessive over and it is considered a major affront if someone is late for a meeting or event.

Managing time is illusive, sometimes the more we pay attention to it the more it slips away, the more we ignore it sometimes the more we actually have “control” over. It is the worry rule; the more we worry about managing time the more likely we are to not accomplish our goals in that area.

In our technology crazed world we are constantly accessing our phones, Facebook pages and You Tube videos. These devices are tools, not masters and instead of us managing them and using them to manage our time more efficiently, they tend to manage us. And when these gadgets consume every waking moment, there is no time left for creativity, interpersonal connection, and just plain “veg’ing out”.

In hunter/gatherer societies food gathering was an intensive short-term activity and there was a great deal of time to feast, relax, play, and socialize. In so-called “modern” society work consumes a great deal of our time whether it is household tasks, childcare, volunteer work or paid work. We tend to be consumed by work with little time for thinking, reflecting and creating let alone socializing and developing solid relationships with others. The reasons for this are not something for this article.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Managing Change and Transition from an Academic Career Counselling Perspective

Posted by: Stephanie Burley on July 15, 2015 2:12 pm

Change is inescapable in life. It follows us wherever we go, and at each stage of our lives. Some of us are better suited to manage change than others, and some even thrive in times of transition. But for others, change can be a source of anxiety, stress, and discomfort. Sometimes we see change coming, and can brace ourselves for the fall out, or prepare ourselves so things can transition more smoothly. Other times it is unexpected or thrust upon us with little to no warning, and can leave us completely lost and disoriented.

startup-594091_640Students, no matter their level of study – whether they be undergraduates or post-docs – are under a great deal of stress and pressure. How can I as a career counsellor provide support and strategies to these students to help them manage the multitude of changes that will be thrown at them throughout their academic lives and beyond?

With the academic labour market such that it is right now, I am seeing an influx of clients who are transitioning out of careers quite unexpectedly. Many of the graduate students and post-doctoral fellows that arrive in my office, started out on their academic path with a certain goal in mind. They were going to be professors. They would contribute to an existing body of research and literature on their topic of specialization, and they would mentor, coach and teach junior academics to follow in their footsteps. The Canadian academic labour market has become increasingly saturated with PhD qualified academics, but vacancies for tenure track positions are becoming scarce. There are a slew of reasons as to why this is happening, and sometimes I will share these with the student, but that’s not really of importance at this stage. Providing an explanation as to why the labour market is how it is doesn’t do much to ameliorate the situation for the individual faced with abruptly changing the course of their career and life trajectory. Instead, I focus my energy on the individual in front of me, and the situation they are experiencing. How can I support this individual to cope with this transition, and develop skills that will hopefully allow them to navigate future transitions? Often I incorporate into my counselling practice the 4 S’s of Transition Theory as discussed by Goodman, Schlossberg and Anderson from their work titled “Counseling Adults in Transition (2006). I use this model to help guide the questions I ask and the direction that our conversation takes. Continue reading




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Avoid Being the Career Frog Boiling in the Water

Posted by: Mark Franklin on February 19, 2015 4:25 pm

hilton“My inner voice was speaking loudly saying, ‘you don’t want to do this for the rest of your life,'” Kate Hilton told Career Buzz listeners (Jan. 7, 2015). She realized leaving her law career “would become more and more difficult. I didn’t want to be the frog boiling in the water.”

Kate’s working identity was becoming more ingrained, so she quit the firm, leaving a trail of “startled” co-workers, friends and family. What was she going to do next? “My strategy was, I don’t actually know what I want to do. I know what I don’t want to do. And I have this excellent package of skills that are transferable. I’m an excellent writer and public speaker,” and she’d even won a national trial competition.

So, Kate told “every single person I knew that I’m making a career change, and I don’t know what it’s going to be.” She asked them to set up meetings with “anyone you think I ought to meet.” Kate helped them to help her by naming a few areas of interest: “public relations, communications, project management, writing.” One of those meetings turned into an informal job interview which led directly to Kate’s next career, “where I worked for 13 years.”

How do the clues apply to you? Kate’s career evolved because she intentionally explored possibilities of interest through inspired ‘field research’ meetings. She did no online job searching. Take a page out of Kate’s playbook and use a more effective, proactive and empowering approach of ‘intentional exploration’ rather than relying exclusively on posted jobs. See how Kate’s career has evolved one more time, as a successful novelist.

Hear the whole interview also featuring Michael Kerman on blending his interest in travel with his career in human services resulting in his people-to-people trips to Cuba.




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

How Can a Six-Month-Old Baby be the Best Career Counsellor Ever?

Posted by: Mark Franklin on January 6, 2015 4:46 pm

Naguib Gouda had been working in financial services while at the same time volunteering for non-profits on the side. But, as he told Career Buzz listeners (Dec. 10, 2014), “what I was doing was not enough.” Then, 12 years ago when his daughter was six months old, Naguib said, “she gave me courage to make that career change” into meaningful work in the non-profit sector. How?

Naguib shared this valuable perspective: “If someday in the future she comes to me and says, ‘Hey dad, I’m not happy doing what I’m doing. What should I do?’ I could be the bitter old man who says, ‘don’t make the same mistake that I did.’ Or I could lead by example, and tell her that’s what I did when she was six months old and it worked, and it’s been fantastic.” Twelve years ago Naguib switched to the not-for-profit sector where he’s been in leadership positions ever since, and loving it, now president of Career Edge.

Hear the whole interview (Naguib’s story at 11:30) also featuring Syndey Helland of Career Edge and coach/author Karen Wright.




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Resolutions and Change in the New Year

Posted by: Maritza Rodriguez on January 23, 2012 8:00 am

The beginning of the year marks a time that many people make resolutions in their lives. Some want to make major overhauls while others are looking to fine tune their behavior. This is the traditional time to want to make a change as the calendar transitions from one year into another.

Change is a constant in the development of human beings. Bodies change and people grow.  Mental capabilities are strengthened and our ability to analyze and adapt to situations bring wisdom. Many believe that there is very little change in adulthood but that is far from the truth. While children and adolescents undergo the largest transformation, human beings never cease growing.

While change is an ongoing process, many often take on too much change at one time or lack the motivation to sustain a resolution. It often becomes an overwhelming process, rather than an opportunity for growth.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA