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See you on the passionful side! 

​Coach Teany

Question:  Which path should I take at 45 years old??
Need guidance and opinions please. I am 45 as stated. I have a liberal arts bachelors from a very "prestigious" school. Due to a variety of factors that have mitigated my path, I am now 45 working for the state in a comfortable, easy but poor paying job. I have a resume that reflects many years of experience in a specific niche of social services. It doesnt reflect anything outstanding, eye catching, or reflect my true capabilities and strengths, but has garnered me a small place in the area of social services I have had jobs in. So at this point, not only am I extremely disastfied with my "career" (it can hardly be called that), but I really need to make more money. I want to go back for a masters because that seems to be the best option based on the jobs i see that I would like to apply for but am lacking the requisite schooling. i also love school and never dreamed I would end with just a bachelors. I am not in a position to do some "crazy" shit like entreprenurial or sales etc. Like i said I have some serious mitigating issues which constrain me. The idea of doing anything at 45 is daunting. I am in a position right now that people are usually in when they are early 20s. I do not like social services at ALL but its what I have been doing for 15 years, so I feel like i need to stay within that realm but do not want to become a master level social worker or anything like that. My true interests seem so irrelvant at this late stage in my life. I cant decide what to go back to grad school for. MBA? MPA? masters in legal studies (I LOVE law and did a year at law school long ago)? Masters in public health because the health field always seems healthy. I am not sure exactly what I am asking here beyond opinions from people my age group about not necessarily "starting over" but furthering oneself financially and employment wise. i have always had shitty paying jobs and have never been able to figure out how people make real money. It has always seemed a mystery to me which probbaly doesnt bode well for my outlook or confidence. There just seem to be some type of people who "make it" and make good money even in the most seemingly random careers/jobs whereas I cant imagine getting past paycheck to paycheck living. What's the secret? Do I have a mental block? Thank you!
Response:
​If you haven't heard it before, or maybe you forgot or just didn't pay attention - it doesn't matter what age you are, what work you've done, or what circumstances you're in, you have learned so many skills already that make you an incredible asset. Especially having worked in social services. 
I say this with authority because after seeing the statistic, which you will appreciate, Pews Research states that the type of skills that are going to be a key asset as we move forward in careers is not analytical, its actually soft skills - the very one's you've developed. The days of an anti-social tech geek that codes in the dark with no human interaction is almost gone. Now you actually have to have key social skills, curiosity, adaptability, resilience critical thinking and a personality to match.  
Also it pains me to hear you say that 'your true interest are irrelevant at this stage. Listen, you're not going to retire for another 20+ years and at the rate they keep moving the retirement age, it might be another 30+ so let's just say that you've got plenty of time to start 'another life' so to speak and actually ENJOY it this time :) 
That said, you seem to 'love' law which are very big words for some who shortly before said your interests are irrelevant ;-) AND the combination of legal studies and social work skills you've gained sounds like an amazing combination esp. in the field of law. We seriously need more empathic people who care there. 
The way to make real money as you call it is to pursue something that you are so passionate about and get so good at (did you catch that... you can GET great at something, it doesn't have to be innate), that you become an expert in your field. The go to person so to speak. It already sounds like you have a fiery personality to boot, so use that charge to fire up your zest for law, and use the emotional intelligence and empathy you've gained from social work to truly create an amazing combination. 
I helped a client who asked a related question. He loves music and even started to produce an album, but seems to still want a practical job in computer science/tech. Sooo I said what seemed 'logical' ... ‘how about you combine your passion for music with tech and create software/apps/programs for people in the music industry that you yourself can test out on your own side projects.’ That gave him a solid goal that he could truly connect to emotionally and the practicality to make money from in an industry that is probably over a billion dollars. 
Bottom line, don't sleep on the skills you've learned and the passion and interests you have. FIND a way to combine them and make something perhaps no one has done before or at least no one has done like YOU. 
Cheers to your future! 

Wow, I've never seen so many likes and views on this question!  I'm guessing people want to know what to avoid in careers.  Read on.

Question:  What glamorized career path is actually a complete nightmare?

My Response:
So here's the deal... any job can be a nightmare if your mindset about it is off. For example if you go into a job just because you need the money, or for some desperate measure. Or if you take on a higher position because you don’t want to look bad in front of your boss or you’ll never get asked to be promoted again.  Those are all not so great ways to set yourself up for success.

Aside from your own mindset about a job I have to say that watching many artists (singers, actors, etc.) their lives are also not as glamorous as they look on the stage. I just watched the documentary on Lady Gaga and she has suffered greatly in her career. 

However, she finally learned to say no to what she doesn’t want to participate in and say yes to that which actually fits perfectly with who she is, what she wants to represent and her passion. She talks about mindset too.  Check it out.

Ultimately its all about what career/purpose fits with your personal vision.  Anything that messes with this ends up becoming hard to handle.
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Hope that helps!
The truth is any job can be a nightmare if pursued for reasons that break your values, goals, desires and passions.  So choose wisely!

Need help with this?  Take the Life Passion Quiz to see what values are most crucial for you and where you current job doesn't live up to it.  Then get 1x1 help with the Purpose with Passion Program.

​In my first Ask Teany Q&A I answer this very question.  I can totally relate. Read on.

​A recent client asked:
What if you are no longer interested in your current career path because you're not happy with it? You want to give that up and start a new chapter in life. You're not sure that your friends and family support you. How do you find motivation to do it anyway?
So many are in jobs they don't love ... anymore.  If this is you, then keep reading for help on this very topic.  Then COMMENT below on your personal journey or ask me a question.
My response:
​I resonate with this on so many different levels and had this pivot point happen to me several times, hence why I became a Purpose Coach. Couple things I learned:
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# 1: You are your worst enemy in your mind - so ignore the neg, and focus on all the reasons you should switch. Your family, friends etc. who you think won’t approve… yeah that’s all in your head. It was in mine. As soon as I told my family I was changing gears they were all in favor of my happiness. And let’s be honest those that aren’t happy with your decisions, probably have there own personal stuff going on that has nothing to do with you.  That said, doesn't hurt to learn more about what you actually would like to do before you take the plunge.
# 2: Go with your gut/intuition on what to do next. After 9 years working in corporate I hated my job. I liked the people enough, but I wasn't doing anything meaningful or contributing to anything but the bottom dollar of the company. I made the choice to take a 3 month sabbatical or you can take a brief vacation, whatever works. THAT was the best decision ever. It helped me clear my mind and focus on what I truly cared about, my values, and potential options.
#3: Research research research. After you start figuring out what you’re passionate about and potential purpose-driven gigs that matter to you - research. I discovered ppl I could shadow, schools where I could audit classes, or open houses where I could ask questions. The more information you have the more of an informed decision you can make and the less scared you are to tell your family and employers what you’re about to do. Knowledge is power. :)
#4 Full emersion is the key after that. Learn as much as you can, even if you have to take courses at night, research on the weekends, etc. The more you get into what you’re into, the more it fuels your motivation. Trust me when you find it, you’ll see its natural to be motivated even if a little scared. I was in school at night for almost 2 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I found a job in the field as soon as I was done and was super passionate about it!
Now go get em! :)
Is this you and you need more help moving past the hurdles?  Take the free quiz to see what the major blocks to your career happiness are.  Then schedule 30 min for a personalized session and get your purposeful journey going.

HAVE A QUESTION:  Ask Teany via email or leave a comment below.

Cheers to your purpose with passion,
Coach Teany

If you want to know how to evolve your business and move with the times so you don't become a business statistic and die within a couple of years, watch this!  Then connect with me to get individual Purpose Coaching.  
​Check out the Talk recorded live for the Passion to Profits Conference! ​

This year is a magical year for me - it's my 4th decade of life!  And instead of making this a mid-life crisis as many do/have done, I want to make it the evolution of happiness in my own life.  So I created a "Happiness list" - a list of all the things I'd like to do that make me happy and inspire me to truly LIVE and GIVE day after day.  Before you ask, no this isn't a before I 'kick the bucket' list.  I never quite understood why we have to be so somber about doing the things we've always wanted to do.  And by the why is it a 1 time deal?  I plan to continue to add to this list from now on - its the only way to FLY!  The challenge of intentionally living to the fullest starts NOW!
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Sedona is where happy people live!

Well that's the slogan on many articles of clothing and souvenirs.  It might be the consistently hot/dry weather, the gorgeous red rock mountains or maybe the energy vortexes under the earth that according to the locals raises the energetic vibe of everything and everyone there.  Either way I can tell you that I came back happier than when I left and with gifts that keep on giving. (more on that later)

Sedona has been a place I've wanted to visit for years now because of all those things and I opted to go alone because sometimes you get a calling. Do you know what I mean?  It's the call of your soul wanting to know you better, go deeper, and grow more profoundly.  Traveling in groups usually means you're at the mercy of the group decisions, likes/dislikes, and schedule.  Being on your own, in a place you've never been, with an open mind and itinerary gives you FREEDOM. And that freedom let's you explore places and things you may have never tried otherwise.  It tests your personal limits, openness and gives you an opportunity to know yourself a heck of a lot better.  My goals:  Be open. Be bold. Make friends.

And then there was Cathedral Rock... *gulp*

So I already told you that Sedona is home to the most beautiful red mountain ranges ever right?  Well one of my goals was to scale one of these mamajamas, as far as I could go... and did I mention by myself?   My lovely AirBNB host highly recommended Cathedral Rock for its most beautiful views but he neglected to mention that it was a much harder trail.  So here I go, water bottle, snacks, camera, sneakers and the will to make this happen.
It was one of the best moments of the trip. My resolve was completely tested here as I went higher and higher up the mountain - no helicopter to save me in sight.  1,000's of feet in the air and no pillows to fall on.  Was I scared - YES, was I going to do it anyway - YES!  Luckily I made friends along the way, including a lovely couple from Philly.  We took turns going up the  mountain and inspired each other to reach the top. Boy was it worth it! The pictures don't do it justice, and the feeling of accomplishment, and reaching a personal best in hiking is something I will carry my merit badge in heart forever.

I also earned a few badges for bravery - not just because of the mountain but because I embraced new people, new ways of living (much healthier), and even went to places by myself where I'd likely be alone and have to fend for myself so to speak (a local karoake bar comes to mind).  Even ladies from the Bronx get scared sometimes but I was a trooper and exposed myself to the new new, as one of my Spiritual Teachers says.
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​So what did I learn?

For one, always carry sunblock because if the locals say it'll take less than an hour to scale/walk, rest assured your vacation mindset will allow you to enjoy it for hours.  And after all it's desert weather :)
 
Two, don't be so focused on capturing the moment in pictures that you lose focus on the moment itself.  Sometimes you only get a second to feel true beauty in that time and space and if you're busy trying to grab it at the right angle... well you just missed it.  Just breath it in first, pictures later. 

But most importantly, mindset is everything.  Going into this trip with an open agenda, mind and heart allowed me to learn what I'm made of.  It - time and time again - tested my goals, my true level of openness, and my trust in life.  Trust that you get the experiences you are meant to have, in the moment you have them and for a good reason. Then find the deeper meaning in them.  Use THAT as fodder to move forward, love more and give often.

More HAPPINESS LIST check offs coming up!  #5KRUN #40AndThriving #purposeWithpassion

Your coach,
​Teany
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I've been through 3 MAJOR shifts in my life and boy did they bring out that passion in me!

Each lead me to where I am, and no step was badly taken as I learned from every single one. And most importantly I learned that the journey brought me closer to discovering my inner passions.

These 3 major shifts in my career occurred since college. My passion(s) made an appearance each time and I say that with an S because at each stage I was sure I knew what I was interested in and what I was passionate about. Having my strong-willed and energetic personality and went for it full throttle.  Why?  Because I felt it in my core and my heart and ie. It resonated with exactly where I was in the moment. So the truth is you have many passions, and they may change at various stages of your life.