written by Nick Roud, Coach.
I want to go to the moon and build a hotel on it?
Sure came my response lets get into it…………
And so started a wonderful relationship with a wicked human doing amazing things in the space world. Striving to push the boundaries, limits and achieve what on the outside could seem impossible. Just like other global leaders do – have dreams and then go realise them 🙂 nothing is easy if you stay still and carry on wearing the same pair of comfy shoes! Are you ready to put on some uncomfortable shoes to move your career forwards?
We all have career aspirations, some close to you might think you are nuts but all I deeply care about is your aspirations and doing all I can to personally enable that aspiration.
Careers have been around since day one, trading produce for something else that was needed, it is said our family names come from the job you did, so that would make me Nick Coach, kind of like that.
One of the biggest hurdles, barriers to peoples realising there career aspirations come back to options.
What options do you have? Have you actually sat down and considered your options. Life is so short one minute you are rocking it and the next on your death bed wishing you had spent more time with family and mates not work meetings! That is too late to progress things, its gone, let it go.
My oldest client is in his early 70s and my youngest client is early 20s. One thing I observe about each of my beautiful clients is they do actually care about their careers, families, mates, communities. They are not simply seeking $10k more on their base salary. They put the wind in my sails, without them I don’t have a coaching business. Thank you to those who have come, to my current and future clients, thank you!
So lets talk a little about options that enable progression in your career.
Lets say you in your mid 40s, you may have a mortgage, kids at school and parents who are also getting older. Bills still need to be paid, food needs to be provided and thats just before you get into your day job. You love the people you work for and whilst you will show up every day for work something isn’t feeling quiet right, that movement in your tummy can’t be ignored any longer and you ask yourself
What if…………..?
In my career coaching work with professionals who are looking to progress their career normally they engage with me before that feeling arrives, and in doing so they are able to be present, think clearly and not therefore be pushed/rushed into important decisions when the brain is a little foggy. Its a little bit like writing your will, you really want to write it when you are thinking clearly not lying on your death bed drugged up to the eye ball with drugs unable to think clearly.
During our early confidential conversations we talk about many things, positives negatives and we address the elephant in the room,
- What are the non-negotiable?
- What has to happen,
- What are your responsibilities. Which then lead into realistic options.
I am one for breaking the rules, throwing it in the bin, burning it and re writing history. We do need to ensure your every day current responsibilities are being served. That is not only important its responsible management don’t you think?
When I started Roud Career Coaching which evolved into Nick Roud Coaching my wife Nicola bought me a picture, she gifted it to me 1st Sept 2016 the day we opened up our doors, with only a simple message to me, it went something like this……’don’t fuck it up’!
That picture still hangs pride of place in my global headquarters aka the 20ft shipping container. As my clients step into the office its the very first thing they see. To me it really does sum up my clients those brave souls who engage with me to coach them either on their careers or leadership. If someone was to ask me Nick describe your clients that picture Nic gave me really does hit the mark…..
It reads;
Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits rebels trouble makers, the round pegs in the square hole.
The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules & have no respect to the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. The only thing you cant do is ignore them because they change things push the human race forward & while some might see them as the crazy ones we see genius because those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world ARE THE ONES WHO DO!
Steve Jobs,
Progress comes in many forms, could be small incremental progress to wholesale change. Nothing is concrete, evolving yourself forwards is part of life and very much part of careers. The word ‘Change’ is used far to often in my humble view and how we might want to look at this could be to talk about ‘Opportunity’. Change sounds negative, backwards, daunting, different etc. But when you hear the word Opportunity your eyes light up, you lean into your seat, you start to imagine, you start to see things differently and in doing so progress can now be made!
Don’t underestimate the time progress takes, we normally spend 10 sessions to really unpack and progress forwards. During our coaching sessions we cover specific aspect that will ensure your career is progressing from where you are at, your career forward trajectory, reflections, evidence based options. These powerful coaching sessions are forward focused that allow outcomes to surface.
As your coach I will be your biggest cheerleader, the one who gives you a cuddle when needed and a kick up the arse if you are not owning your progress. Results matter, actions matter, you matter. Nothing gives me more pleasure than a cuddle from Louie & Willow or seeing my beautiful clients realise their potential. Its a huge buzz, that is why I am here till I’m 75.
We have a long way to go my friend, we are going to make mistakes, have fun, succeed and fail. Get over the what ifs and lets go forwards together. Its a privilege to have clients who worked with me in 2006 still moving the needle.
Progress comes from those who DO
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