The million dollar question

If I were to pay you $1,000,000 a year on the condition that you had an occupation, what would you do?

I ask that question of coaching clients who are feeling stuck, unhappy in their careers, but not sure what else they could – or want to – do instead.

It’s surprising how many people have a detailed answer right on the tip of their tongue.

Recent examples, all from people very senior and outwardly successful in corporate and professional careers:

  • Vertical horticulture farmer

  • Florist

  • Travel writer

  • Equine therapist

  • Guitarist

This doesn’t mean that the person should necessarily quit today to go and do that other thing.

But that other thing holds important clues.

  1. What is it that your current role isn’t giving you, that you feel this alternative would provide?

  2. And, what is your current role giving you, that you feel the alternative would not provide?

  3. If the answer to question 2 is “nothing”, then by all means quit and go do the alternative. Otherwise, move to the next questions...
    Look at what you are yearning for but currently missing, that you think the alternative offers.

  4. Can you get more of that by job crafting in your current role?

  5. Can you take a sabbatical from work to go and immerse yourself in that other life for a while?

  6. Can you shift to 3 or 4 days a week at work, and spend 1 or 2 days doing the alternative?

  7. Can you do the alternative as a hobby in the evenings or on weekends?

  8. What other creative ideas can you think of that would get you more of what the alternative represents?

Working through these questions can be a very powerful way to open up possibilities beyond what is often a false binary of “secure but trapped” versus “free but broke”.

Next week I’ll share some ideas for what to do if your answer to the million dollar question is “I have absolutely no idea”.

Until next week,

Take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

PS. Want to work with me as you figure out what you want and how to get it? Let me know. Send me a message to enquire, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.

I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.

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Madeleine Shawcareer, change, transition, job crafting