Gareth felt trapped and unfulfilled at work. His content manager role at a well known Recruitment Agency was no longer providing the job satisfaction he craved. He had been in his job 5 years and was only sticking it out because of life circumstances, but the longer he stayed, the harder it was becoming to know what he really wanted.
Gareth kindly provided me with a written ‘report’ at the end of his six sessions with me:
“I got in touch with Sandra when I’d reached a bit of a crossroads in my career. I’d hit a bit of a lull, and although I was well paid for the work I did, I wasn’t feeling satisfied in my job, and didn’t really feel working in the same company in a similar role would keep me sane.
She was recommended by a friend, which helps as when you’re searching online for someone to help or advise you it can be tricky to believe what you‘re reading. What I found enjoyable and useful about the sessions with Sandra were that they were structured around what I needed – I didn’t feel I was working to a pre-defined schedule. The discussions we had, the exercises we went through and the topics we covered we agreed on together.
I wasn’t looking for someone to help me define specific career objectives and Sandra was clear about what she could offer instead. I was looking for some guidance on bigger issues around what makes me happy at work, what I’m good at doing, what my priorities in life are, and to try and bring these elements together to help me work out my next steps.”
The Journey
We talked in depth about what he was feeling at his 40-minute free session, and this enabled me to devise a six-session programme that best suited him. It was clear he was frustrated. His creative flare was being severely under utilized despite being one of his greatest gifts and the thing that motivated him most. In the 5 years Gareth was in the role, he had reached as far as he could go. He felt stuck. There was a sense of inertia and a drop in confidence.
It helped that he was open, honest and willing to work through his feelings and desires for his future, even if he wasn’t entirely sure what they were. He’d buried so much of his innate creative talent that he’d forgotten how important it was to him and how much he could thrive given the right environment. He realised one session at a time that the crux of his dissatisfaction was that he was a self-starter, a creative, a solutions finder but the business wanted him to work within the strict parameters of ‘this is how we do things around here’.
Gareth had put a personal project on the back burner for years whilst trudging through the daily grind of his boring City job, so I suggested he revive it. I had a feeling this would inject the creative spark he needed to re-energise his thoughts about his career.
From Trapped & Unfulfilled at Work to a Clear Result
Despite going through a house move, Gareth still found the time and energy to dive full steam into his project. It had the desired effect. The more positive feedback he received the more his confidence grew. I noticed his whole demeanor change. He became crystal clear about what he wanted in the workplace from now on, and importantly I helped him find the belief in himself that he needed to go for it. By the end of our time together we had devised a strong plan that he was 100% committed to, and he was looking forward to moving his career on.
Gareth said:
“As a result of the sessions, I’ve felt more confident in what I’m looking for in my next role. I’ve made significant changes to my working life and I feel I have more clarity in terms of my career than I have done at any point in the past.”
I’d recommend speaking to Sandra to anyone who is feeling unsatisfied in their current job, is possibly feeling trapped and is looking for some guidance in how those issues can be resolved.
If you would benefit from a free 40 minute, no obligation chat about your career and where you might be feeling stuck at work, contact me today. You’ve got nothing to lose!