https://www.techrepublic.com/article/why-it-is-the-most-problematic-department-in-your-company

In this session, we go back to the beginning—to the energy and creativity you had as a child before the "conditioning" of the education system took over. We often choose our career paths based on what is practical or what an employer defines for us, rather than what we are truly capable of. I want to remind you that your initial abilities were vast, and just because you developed specific skills for a job you "fell into," doesn't mean those are your only talents. We are going to explore how to look past your current job title and rediscover the broad spectrum of capabilities you’ve always possessed.

Reflection: Uncovering the Layers

To reclaim your autonomy, you must first recognize the talents that have been hidden by years of practical choices:

• The Childhood Baseline: Think back to yourself as a child. What activities did you dive into without fear of losing anything? How did that version of you view "possibility" compared to how you view it now?

• The "Accidental" Career: Look at your current professional profile. How much of it was a conscious choice based on your desires, and how much was simply a reaction to the "practical" job that was available after school?

• Beyond the Diploma: Your degree and your current job title are only a fraction of who you are. If you were to ignore your resume for a moment, what are three things you know you are capable of doing that aren't listed there?

• Redefining "Can": Right now, is your "can" defined by your employer, or by your own internal sense of potential? What is one skill you’ve neglected that you’d like to bring back into the light?

"Your abilities are much greater than what your current job title suggests. All paths were initially open to you—it’s time to remember that as we continue this journey".

While we often talk about passion—the things we truly enjoy doing—there is another element that is perhaps even more important: purpose. As human beings, we need a sense of meaning; we need to answer the question, "Why am I here?". In this session, we dive into these two terms and explore why you need both to navigate a successful career transition. I’ll also share my own struggle with defining purpose, as it requires a level of self-evaluation that isn't always comfortable, but is absolutely necessary to make the rest of your path clear.

Reflection: The Meaning Audit

Finding your purpose requires looking past your daily activities to the role you are meant to fulfill:

• Defining the "Why": You likely have a list of activities you enjoy (your passions), but do you know why you do them? What is the underlying meaning behind your most important roles, such as being a parent or a good friend?

• The Comfort of the Unknown: Self-evaluation can be uncomfortable, and we often bury what we find because it might require us to make difficult changes. What is one "uncomfortable" truth about your current path that you’ve been avoiding?

• The Obvious in Plain Sight: I've found that the most obvious things are often the hardest to see. If you were to ask a trusted peer what they see as your primary "contribution" to the world, what do you think they would say?

• Clarity Through Conclusion: Once you are willing to act on your conclusions about your purpose, how much clearer does your career transition become?

"We as human beings need to have a sense of meaning in our lives. Once we answer the question of purpose and are willing to act on it, the rest of our journey becomes much clearer".

It sounds like a simple question, doesn't it? But for most of us, "what you would like to do" is one of the hardest questions to answer. We get stuck because we confuse what is possible with what is feasible or practical. We often skip over our true desires and jump straight to the "sure thing" because of a deep-seated fear of failure. In this session, we’re going to strip away those barriers. I’ll show you how to move past the "brick wall" of practicality and reconnect with the activities that actually bring you joy.

Reflection: The Freedom to Dream

To find your true path, you need the freedom to look at possibilities without judgment:

• The Practicality Trap: Have you ever dismissed a dream because it didn't seem "feasible" or "doable"? How did that immediate jump to the "sure thing" prevent you from even defining what you actually want?

• Fear of Failure: Is your current career choice based on what you love, or is it a "safe" bet to avoid the risk of failing at something more ambitious?

• The 3-Minute Brainstorm: Set a timer for three minutes and write down every activity you love to do, without worrying about whether they could be a career. What patterns do you see emerging from that free-form list?

• Grouping Your Passions: Can you group your favorite activities into themes? How might these groups point toward a professional direction you hadn't considered before?

"The word 'practical' is often just another way of saying 'let's go with the sure thing.' But the 'sure thing' isn't always that sure. To get past the wall, you have to look at what's possible first".

It sounds like a simple question, doesn't it? But for most of us, "what you would like to do" is one of the hardest questions to answer. We get stuck because we confuse what is possible with what is feasible or practical. We often skip over our true desires and jump straight to the "sure thing" because of a deep-seated fear of failure. In this session, we’re going to strip away those barriers. I’ll show you how to move past the "brick wall" of practicality and reconnect with the activities that actually bring you joy.

Reflection: The Freedom to Dream

To find your true path, you need the freedom to look at possibilities without judgment:

• The Practicality Trap: Have you ever dismissed a dream because it didn't seem "feasible" or "doable"? How did that immediate jump to the "sure thing" prevent you from even defining what you actually want?

• Fear of Failure: Is your current career choice based on what you love, or is it a "safe" bet to avoid the risk of failing at something more ambitious?

• The 3-Minute Brainstorm: Set a timer for three minutes and write down every activity you love to do, without worrying about whether they could be a career. What patterns do you see emerging from that free-form list?

• Grouping Your Passions: Can you group your favorite activities into themes? How might these groups point toward a professional direction you hadn't considered before?

"The word 'practical' is often just another way of saying 'let's go with the sure thing.' But the 'sure thing' isn't always that sure. To get past the wall, you have to look at what's possible first".

They say that admitting you have a problem is 80% of the battle, and that's especially true when it comes to professional growth. In this session, we explore the transformative power of admission—recognizing the tasks you want to improve on and taking the first step toward development. I’ll share how shifting your focus from your own output to the actual needs and expectations of others can turn you into an indispensable "go-to person". We’ll discuss how taking the time to truly understand what's important to your colleagues and clients not only brings them added value but also builds the deep trust necessary to elevate your reputation and reclaim your professional image.

Reflection: The Admission to Growth

Admitting where you can improve is an act of autonomy that allows you to take control of your own professional trajectory:

• The Admission Audit: What is one specific professional task or skill you know you could perform better? How would admitting this to yourself (and perhaps your team) open the door to real improvement?

• Beyond the Output: Think of a regular report or deliverable you produce. Instead of guessing what's needed, how could you "interview" the recipient to discover its true purpose and bring them real added value?

• The Trust Catalyst: Identify a colleague or client whose trust you’d like to deepen. How could you subtly show them that you have their specific interests in mind, rather than just your own?

• The Ultimate Winner: When you align your talents with the needs of others, who really wins? Have you noticed how these small shifts are already changing you into the professional you want to become?

"Admission is the first step on the path toward improvement. When you take the time to understand what others truly need, you don't just get the task right—you become the go-to person who brings real, added value".