By Helene Buchanan-Dunne
We can all agree that this is a time of significant change for many. From a pandemic and massive layoffs to increasing inflation, millions are trying to figure out what is happening and how to navigate it best. I understand. Below is what happened to me around my career, the initial steps I took, and how they changed my outlook on life forever.
As I write this now, I have never been happier. I have my dog by my side and working with an amazing team of career specialists, changing people’s lives and living by the way we help others in their careers too.
Within six months of the pandemic’s start, my Mom and Granma died 3000 miles away when all travel had stopped, and I could not attend their funerals. At the same time, my peers and I were laid off from our corporate positions (most of us having each served over ten years in our roles). Now, I was sitting at home with my one-eyed dog, watching the news, and figuring out what to do.
At that moment, I realized that I had to do for myself what I have shown 1,000s people to do for themselves (I am a 30-year leader of recruiting teams and building world-class recruitment learning universities). I had to figure out my purpose, specifically around my career. So what did I do?
1: Reviewed all my skills (big and small)
This task took me longer than I expected. Initially, I wrote down five to ten skills and thought that was it. The usual stuff we tend to highlight on a resume. But I kept going back to my list for several weeks. I produced additional pages of skills that had not even occurred to me and were worth considering. This list kept growing, especially as I also did the following:
- I asked my ex-work colleagues, clients, friends, and family what they thought my skills were too. I was surprised at the strengths they saw in me that I was not aware of
- I undertook different personality and skills tests (FYI: not all tests are as insightful as others)
- I prioritized my skills based on what I loved using the most!
2: Identified what my passion and purpose in life is
Identifying this was harder than I thought. Questions I asked myself included: What makes me happy? What gives my life meaning? What makes me want to get up in the morning? Everyone is different. Until now, I had been working to pay my bills, have vacations, and then retire. Now, I was taking time to think about my passions and purpose, which ‘careerwise’ came to this:
‘I want to impact people’s lives positively, using the skills I have developed over the last 25 years in recruitment. I love to combine this with creativity around learning content, getting to know people, and helping those who need career advice but do not know where to turn. I also want to honor my mom’s legacy after her passing.‘ (* Note: my mom was a leader of career coaches aswell as a career coach herself, and who loved to change people’s lives too – guess the apple does not fall too far from the tree).
3: Identified what my life balance should look like
Life balance, what’s that? I had understood that anything less than working 16 hours a day, replying to emails or calls while on vacation (I know, right!), and worrying myself to sleep each night was normal. Here are the considerations I made:
- How balanced was my life around health, friends, family, relationships, community, hobbies, spirituality, finance, etc.?
- What are my life priorities?
- What are my negotiables and non-negotiables?
- Embarking on a successful career journey requires more than just skill—it demands strategic guidance, personalized coaching, and a community of experts dedicated to your success. At Motus Career Coaching, we’ve crafted an all-encompassing consultancy that goes beyond traditional career guidance. Let’s delve into what makes Motus the go-to destination for individuals and teams seeking not only professional success but a fulfilling and meaningful life.
- Meet Our Founder, Helene Buchanan-Dunne: Motus Career Coaching was founded in early 2023 by Helene Buchanan-Dunne, a seasoned executive with a rich background as a VP and leader at renowned companies such as IBM and Management Recruiters International. With a legacy of leading recruiting teams across 40-plus countries and creating world-class recruiting universities that have trained over 300,000 globally, Helene brings a wealth of experience to Motus. Her vision for Motus is rooted in the belief that career success is intrinsically linked to overall well-being.
- Motus Philosophy: Unlocking Extraordinary Lives: Motus holds a steadfast conviction—every individual possesses the power to lead an extraordinary, gratifying, and meaningful life. Our philosophy revolves around recognizing and actively pursuing dreams, unleashing the full potential within each client. We believe that by aligning career best practices with individual aspirations, we set the stage for a life deeply valued and a career that excites and inspires.
- Tailored Services for Every Career Stage: Motus Career Coaching caters to a diverse range of individuals and teams, from solo contributors to C-level executives. Our services empower employees globally to craft successful career strategies, secure desired positions, and develop winning career paths. Through cutting-edge online training, up-to-the-minute newsletters, and personalized coaching from global career experts, Motus ensures that clients navigate their professional journeys with clarity, joy, financial security, and fulfillment.
- Why Motus? The Essence of Motion in Your Career: The name Motus is derived from Latin, signifying excitement, inspiration, and motion—qualities synonymous with the ideal career journey. We believe that your career should be a dynamic, inspiring adventure, and Motus is here to guide you through every step.
- Conclusion: Motus Career Coaching isn’t just a consultancy; it’s a holistic approach to career success and life fulfillment. Led by industry experts and founded on a philosophy of unlocking potential, Motus is committed to helping individuals and teams thrive in their professional journeys. If you’re ready to redefine success, align your career with your dreams, and embark on a journey filled with excitement and inspiration, Motus Career Coaching is your partner in progress. Join us as we transform careers, one success story at a time.
- What work environment do I thrive in and get the most satisfaction from? Examples included remote versus office-based, team versus single contributor, and entrepreneurial versus corporate environment.
4: Pulled all this together to see where my starting point was on my next career steps
By starting with these initial steps, I set the direction for my life to move forward. The main points that became obvious were:
- A love of coaching, creativity, and changing people’s lives for the better
- A need to combine my skills in recruiting, problem-solving, strategy, building relationships, and creating training content
- To ensure I have a work-life balance, live my life with passion, and make sure my life aligns with my core values (such as giving back)
- To honor my mom’s passing and create a legacy of her career coaching
And so here I am. Even career coaches need career coaches. An outside perspective is EVERYTHING. I have built MOTUS CAREER COACHING. A team of highly trained career coaches whose life purpose is to help people evaluate their careers. We’ve created a library of training modules for people with the latest industry information. We give back through charities and support so many people. For me…I have the life balance I crave and align my life to my values and purpose.
Life throws curveballs, and we all need help to navigate how to figure out what’s most important to us. It sometimes hard, but there is always a way forward.
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