September 2008

Welcome to the September 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s Monthly Newsletter.

In This Edition:

• Thought of the Month
• Feature Article: "Warning: Job Search Before Self-Search Is Self-Sabotage"
• Ask the Expert

Thought of the Month:

If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there.
     ~ Lewis Caroll

Warning: Job Search Before Self-Search Is Self-Sabotage

"I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now," is the background music to a current credit card commercial showing a man proudly purchasing a new wide screen TV on credit. Immediate gratification is so well ingrained in our culture that we don't even question how odd it is that a man is merrily buying something he doesn't really need, with money he doesn't really have.

That same impulsivity may be why so many people approach their job search the same way.

Ready. Fire. Aim.
What happens when you jump into the job search mode before you are ready? One of two things:

1) You cannot land a job because you don't really know what you are looking for, or
2) You land a job that doesn't fit you.

Either way, starting a search before you are ready is self-sabotage. Let's look at both scenarios.

"So What if I Land a Job that Doesn't Fit Me?"
In the first scenario, the downside of not being able to land a job is pretty clear. No job. No income. You lose. But what about the downside of landing a job that doesn't fit. How bad could it be?

When you land a job that doesn't fit your skills, your interests, and what you value most, eventually some, or all, of the following will occur:

• Your stress and anxiety go way up;
• You get passed over for promotions or aren't given the best opportunities;
• You feel unappreciated;
• You begin to feel burned out;
• Your income growth becomes limited while other people's keeps increasing;
• Your dissatisfaction forces you to look for another job (or worse, you get laid off);
• The cycle starts all over again.

How to Prepare for a Job Search (at any age)
Naturally, everyone wants to avoid the rollercoaster ride of misfit jobs and continual disappointment. It just takes a little forethought.

As an example, getting directions (from a map, web browser, or navigation system) requires that you know your starting point and where you want to go. Once you know those things, it is simply a matter of finding the shortest route to get there. Preparing for a job search is no different.

Before searching for a job, you need to know your starting point, and you can find it by answering the following 4 questions:

    1) What am I passionate about (i.e., my interests)?
    2) What are my strengths (i.e., my skills, gifts, aptitudes)?
    3) What are my values (i.e., what is most important to me)?
    4) How do I interact with the world around me to get things done (i.e., my personality)?

Answering these four questions will help you aim your job search in a direction that will tap into your special gifts and talents, align what you do with your values, and bring you genuine satisfaction. In other words, by answering the four questions upfront, you will actually help determine your destination as well!

It doesn't matter whether you are a recent graduate, someone in mid-career, or a baby boomer who is ready for a new career direction. The questions are the same.

Self-Search Before Job Search Prevents Career Mistakes
As much as you may think you know yourself, taking a little time to answer the four basic questions will prevent a repeating cycle of self-sabotage.

Want some help piecing it all together? We can begin helping you right now.

Clear Ambition has simplified the entire process of preparing for a job search by not only helping you answer each of the four questions with online self-assessments, but by showing you types of jobs that match your specific profile. Clear Ambition even goes a step further by providing personalized one-to-one guidance by telephone to help you weigh your choices, set goals, and map out how to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

Start now by visiting www.clearambition.com. Or for more information, call us today at 1-800-988-7721.

It's your life. Let us help you make the most of it!

Ask the Career Expert

Dear Career Expert,
I'm in high school right now and don't have any idea what I want to do when I get out of school. I am not sure whether I should go to a 2 year or 4 year college or go get a job. Can you help me choose a direction?
T.L.

Dear T.L.,
Few people your age have their future perfectly mapped out. However, as you already know, there are decisions that must be made about life after high school, and those decisions deserve some careful thought.

Answering your question requires knowing more about your specific situation and more about you. While I cannot tell you what decision to make, I can tell you that the more you learn about yourself, such as the things you really like to do and the things you are good at doing, the easier it is to plan your next steps.

Luckily, there are many great resources to help you with your planning. Your first stop should be to the Counseling Office of your school to see what resources it offers. Some schools have wonderful college and career guidance programs that include self-assessments and one-to-one guidance services. Unfortunately, other schools have had to cut back on these programs due to limited budgets. If your school cannot provide the personal support you need, you and your parents might consider a program like Clear Ambition.

Good Luck!

~ The Career Expert

Have a Question? Ask the Expert!
Click here to send us a question about your career or finding a direction that fits.

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"...Having options has made all the difference in my outlook, and I believe your services have helped me to bridge the gap between where I am now professionally, and where I want to be. Thank you for your help"
~ Susan A.

August 2008

Welcome to the August 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s Monthly Newsletter.

In This Edition:

• Thought of the Month
• Feature Article: "How to Align Your Career with Your Life Purpose"
• Ask the Expert

Thought of the Month:

When you start doing what you love, you're likely to do it very well, with zest, skill, and infectious delight... Joyful activity adds real value to the world, and adding value is the heart and soul of a successful career.
     ~ Martha Beck

How to Align Your Career With Your Life Purpose

I can already hear the roar... "Life purpose? How can I align my career with a life purpose when I don't even know what my life purpose is? I need to make a living!"

Here's a crash course. The question of life purpose or choosing what we do for a living is a very recent phenomenon... only about 60 years old to be exact.

Prior to World War II, the idea of choice wasn't even relevant for most people. You worked on a farm, in a family trade, or in a factory. 100 years ago, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years, and only 6% of the U.S. population had even graduated from high school.

Today, the average life expectancy is 78 years, and 85% of the population has a high school diploma. We don't know how good we have it.

The Good News: You Have a Choice
With our longevity, mobility, and access to education, we have more choice, more freedom, and more opportunity to succeed than any people in world history. We have an unparalleled luxury of choice.

But this freedom of choice carries a price... the price of decision. We are responsible for choosing our own life direction at any given point.

Finding Your Life Purpose
With today's freedom to choose a direction, many people are asking the question, "What is my purpose in life?" The question is partly rooted in a desire for real fulfillment and partly rooted in the hope that someone else will give them the answer. No such luck... there isn't a quick-fix source named "Finding Your Life Purpose for Dummies."

Finding your answer begins with a little known secret. A secret that makes the process more straight forward than you may think.

The Secret
Your life purpose is not "out there somewhere" needing be to be found. It is not something that someone else can tell you. It is inside you already. Your life purpose is to be the best version of yourself that you can be, living your life in such a way as to make the most of your special gifts and talents.

In other words, the answer to your purpose lies in uncovering your special gifts and talents and then using them in a way that provides maximum benefit to you and the world around you.

It is a proven fact that people work hardest and feel their best when they like what they do. It is also human nature to like those things that we have the skill and ability to do well.

So... if the way to get the most joy out of life is to be the best version of you that you can be, the question is how to find a career that allows you to make the best use of your special gifts and talents.

Finding Your Special Gifts
Not sure how to find your gifts and talents? Take a pencil and paper and try answering the following:

• What activities do you enjoy doing so much that you often lose track of time?
• In what areas have you received recognition and/or positive feedback?
• What accomplishments are you most proud of and how did you achieve them?

Another way to uncover your special gifts and talents is to ask your friends, family or people you have worked with.

Aligning Your Gifts with a Career that Fits
Your goal is to find the overlap between what you are good at doing (your gifts and talents) with what you love doing (your passion).

Here is where some shortcuts will come in handy. By using self-assessments of your interests, skills, values, and personality, you can get a good picture of the overlap. The next step is to identify what occupations match your strengths and interests.

An integrated online program like Clear Ambition simplifies the entire process by not only providing the self-assessments, but by showing you careers that match your specific profile. Clear Ambition even goes a step further by providing personalized one-to-one guidance by telephone to help you weigh your choices, set goals, and map out how to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

Curious? Contact us today at 1-800-988-7721 or visit our website www.clearambition.com for more information. It's your life. Let us help you make the most of it!

Ask the Career Expert

Dear Career Expert,
I've been emailing my resume to all kinds of companies, but haven't gotten any response. I've had my friends read my resume and they think it's good. What's going on?
M.B.

Dear M.B.,
The Internet has radically changed the hiring process. Within seconds of posting a job opening online, companies can advertise a position to millions of people. Unfortunately, that also means that companies now get thousands of responses for each opening they post. Most resumes sent in online are filtered by keyword software and never reach the hiring decision maker.

So what can you do to stand out? Target and tailor! One targeted resume and cover letter are better than 1000 untargeted, untailored resumes. Don't waste time sending a generic resume to every job posting you see. Don't waste time subscribing to services that promise to distribute your resume to thousands of prospects. They just don't work. Each resume and cover letter you send must be tailored to a specific organization and position.

Your first step is to understand what value you can bring to an organization. Self-assessments are one way to do that. By carefully scripting your own "value statement" that describes what you do, how you do it, and what value you bring to an organization, you can open doors to many more opportunities. This value statement should be used in your cover letters, your phone conversations, and networking to help others quickly grasp how relevant you are to their own organization or other opportunities they may know of.

Happy hunting!

~ The Career Expert

Have a Question? Ask the Expert!
Click here to send us a question about your career or finding a direction that fits.

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"The Clear Ambition program has helped me to make decisions about what I want to do in my future... The assessments that I completed helped me to identify career options that I would have never considered but I would be good at and would enjoy. The one-on-one guidance was very helpful..."
~ Jared B.

July 2008

Welcome to the July 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s monthly newsletter.

In This Edition:

• Thought of the Month
• Feature Article: "A Different Point of View"
• Ask the Expert

Thought of the Month:

A good coach will help his players see what they can be rather than what they are.
     ~ Ara Parasheghian

A Different Point of View

It is a fact that the view from the top of a ladder is different from the view at the bottom.

As humans we all share a very bad habit. We assume that everyone sees the world from the same vantage point - in other words, exactly the same way we do. More often than not, our view of the world is not the broad, expansive view from the top of the ladder.

In fact, when it comes to deciding our place in the world, we have a very limited view.

Peter Drucker, political economist and author, describes it this way. He says, most people think they know what they are good at, but they are usually wrong. People are often more confident saying what they are not good at. "And yet," he says, "a person can perform only from strength. One cannot build performance on weaknesses, let alone on something one cannot do at all... We need to know our strengths in order to know where we belong."

Reaching Full Potential
With trumpets blaring and tremendous hoopla, over 10,000 athletes will gather in Beijing next week for the world's biggest competition of athletic skill, strength, and perseverance. For most, it is the culmination of years of preparation and training.

It got me wondering. How many athletes who step up onto the medalist's platform do you think will have gotten there without a coach?

The answer is zero. And in that regard, they are no different from all the other world class competitors like golfers, fine musicians, actors, CEO's, and key politicians.

They Must Know Something We Don't
Of course all these people have talent. But do you know what separates them from the millions of other people who have special gifts and talents?

• They know they need someone else's help to fairly assess their strengths and weaknesses;
• They know that experts can show them cutting edge ways to make the most of their strengths and to compensate for their weaknesses;
• They know that they cannot reach their full potential without being pushed and challenged.

Can You Do This by Yourself?
Take 30 seconds to ask yourself the following questions:

• Can I write down my key strengths and weaknesses? Would people closest to me agree?
• Is my current life and career direction one that builds on my strengths?
• Am I living up to my full potential?
• In view of my strengths, have I evaluated the best options for my life and career direction?
• Is my current life and career direction one that builds on my strengths?
• Do I have a clear idea of what I value most at this stage in life?
• Can I describe the kind of work environment that would best align with these same values?
• Do I know exactly what my next step is to achieve my ambition?
• Do I have a firm timetable for completing the steps to achieving my ambition?

If you answered "NO" to any of these questions, then you might consider doing what the world's best athletes, executives, and politicians do... tap into a trained consultant, counselor, or coach.

Not sure how to find a qualified career consultant? Use a service like Clear Ambition to get exactly the help you need.

Contact us today at 1-800-988-7721 or visit our website www.clearambition.com for more information. What do you have to lose?

Ask the Expert

Dear Clear Ambition,
I look around me and everyone seems to have direction. I don't have any idea what I want to do, don't know what my options are, and don't know where to start. What should I do?
J.T.

Dear J.T.,
Don't confuse motion with direction. It only looks like everyone else has a direction. The truth is that most people have the same doubts that you do. Change is difficult for most of us, so we tend to keep doing what we've always done because it's easier... even if we don't like what we are doing.

The good news is that you probably know more about what you would really like to do than you think. You just need help separating your thinking (that running commentary in your head) from your real feelings and aspirations. Sometimes, we let our fears and negative self-talk get in the way of listening to what we already know at some level deep inside us.

Your first step should be to contact a trained career consultant or career counselor. He/she will help guide you through a series of self-assessments to understand your interests, skills, values, and personality. Using these tools, he/she will then help you identify the career options that fit you best. With a direction in mind, you will work together to build an action plan to achieve your desired goals. Good luck!
~ The Career Expert

Have a Question? Ask the Expert!
Click here to send us a question about your career or finding a direction that fits.

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"The results from the entire process have boosted my confidence in myself and have enabled me to bring focus into my future career options."
~ Scott B.

June 2008

Welcome to the June 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s monthly newsletter.

In This Edition:

• Thought of the Month
• Feature Article: "Where Do I Go from Here?"
• Ask the Expert

Thought of the Month:

Great minds have purposes, little minds have wishes.
     ~ Washington Irving

Where Do I Go from Here?

The current economic environment may seem daunting for those considering a career move.

The most recent figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor show that the unemployment rate has risen to 5.5%, the number of mass layoffs is increasing, the consumer price index is up +4.2%, and real average weekly earnings are down -1.2%.

If you are one of the 8.5 million workers who are out of a job, a recent graduate looking for your first position, or one of the millions of unhappily employed who are looking for something better, your question is likely to be, "Where do I go from here?"

The Good News
While the statistics above reflect less job security and less buying power from your hard-earned dollars, it is important to remember that these are just averages and short term trends. In reality, the current unemployment rate is only half of the rate reached in 1982.

The good news for you is that there are plenty of jobs to be had. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that in the decade spanning 2006 to 2016, total employment will increase by approximately +10% -- that's 15.6 million new jobs! Even better news is that this figure is understated because it doesn't reflect the "replacement openings" created by retiring baby boomers.

Go Where the Growth Is
While there is room in any profession for a top notch individual, your likelihood of long term success is greater if you focus on occupational areas that are projected to grow.

Where will the largest growth in jobs occur? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "The service-providing industries will generate almost all of the employment gain from 2006-2016 and will provide more than three-quarters of all jobs in 2016."

Top 30 Fastest Growing Occupations Through 2016
Here is the BLS' list of the occupations with the highest projected growth in employment from 2006 to 2016:

• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
• Personal and Home Care Aids
• Home Health Aids
• Computer Software Engineers, Applications
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Personal Financial Advisors
• Make-up Artists, Theatrical and Performance
• Medical Assistants
• Veterinarians
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
• Skin Care Specialists
• Financial Analysts
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Dental Hygienists
• Mental Health Counselors
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Dental Assistants
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Database Administrators
• Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software
• Gaming and Sporting Book Writers and Runners
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, including Health
• Manicurists and Pedicurists
• Physical Therapists
• Physician Assistants

Don't see a job area that interests you? Afraid that you might not have the education required to pursue the one you like? Here's what you need to do:

1. Start by Getting to Know Yourself from the Inside Out
Take time to discover and assess your interests, skills, values and personality. This is absolutely critical for determining best-fit career options. Online self-assessments are one of the best ways to gain self-knowledge.

2. Get Help in Determining Which Career Options Fit You Best
A career consultant can help you see possibilities you haven't even considered. Most of us have a hard time appreciating our full potential. Not sure how to find a qualified career consultant? Use a service like Clear Ambition to find the perfect match for your situation.

3. Explore Your Best-fit Options and Determine What the Requirements Are
With the help of your career consultant, research and explore the occupations that really seem to resonate with you. Talk with people already in those jobs to see if the job feels right for you. Ask if you can "shadow" a person in the job for a day to get a real flavor of the position. Find out what the educational requirements are.

4. Build a Plan to Get from Here to There.
Finding a career that fits takes thought and planning. Lay it out step by step, so you know exactly what is required to achieve your dream. Do you have the right skills? Degree? Certifications? What do you need to do to acquire them? Again, your career consultant can help you map out exactly what steps you need to take.

The bottom line is this: Don't let the fear-mongering of the media keep you from moving toward the career that will fulfill and satisfy you. There are opportunities all around you.

Need some assistance in connecting the dots? Let us help you find a career direction that really fits. Contact us today at 1-800-988-7721 or visit our website www.clearambition.com right now to learn how.

Article Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; 6/08 USDL 08-0757 Employment Situation Summary; 6/08 USDL 08-0790 Consumer Price Situation Index Summary; 12/07 USDL 07-1847 Employment Projections: 2006-16 Summary and Table 6.

Ask the Expert

Dear Clear Ambition,
I feel totally stuck. I dread going to work each day and am so exhausted when I get home, I don't have the energy to think about other options. I'm thinking about quitting my job so I can really focus on my next step. I feel so overwhelmed. Should I go ahead and quit my job?
L.M.

Dear L.M.,
You clearly recognize that the job you're in is not a good fit for you and that you need to make a change. Unless your current job is absolutely unbearable, there are two reasons why it is much better to line up your next job while you are currently employed: 1) it will keep you from depleting your savings and, 2) it will put you in a better bargaining position with a new employer because you will not be viewed as "desperate." Before you leap out of your current job, you need to do a little planning. You need to make sure you understand what it is about your current job that doesn't fit you while carefully considering what new options might suit you better. Change is stressful, and what you are feeling is perfectly natural. It sounds like you could benefit greatly from some personal career guidance. It can help alleviate your feeling of being so overwhelmed. A program like Clear Ambition or other professional career counseling service will help provide the assistance you need in a step-by-step fashion. Good luck!
~ The Career Expert

Have a Question? Ask the Expert!
Click here to send us a question about your career or finding a direction that fits.

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"The skills and interest inventory helped confirm that I was looking in the right industries. The biggest help was the one-on-one time with the consultant. She helped frame my thinking about career possibilities and explore each of them in depth."
~ Tom B.

May 2008

Welcome to the May 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s monthly newsletter.

Thought of the Month:

A successful life is one that is lived through understanding and pursuing one's
own path, not chasing after the dreams of others.
     ~ Chin-Ning Chu

Is Your Career Giving You Blisters?

Something doesn't feel right. It's just a little feeling at first, so you ignore it and keep going. The discomfort gets worse. You tell yourself to buck-up, that you can handle it, and you keep moving forward. Finally, the pain is so great you can't stand it anymore.

You have to stop and... take your shoes off.

Aaaaah, the relief is immediate!

Yup. You've got blisters. Are you going to sit there and argue with yourself about whether it was your foot or the shoe that caused the blisters? Of course not! You're going to get some shoes that fit your feet. Not try to change your feet to fit the shoes.

Finding a career that fits you is a lot like buying comfortable shoes.
The ideal way to find a best-fit career is to make sure you know who you are and what you are looking for before you start searching. How likely is it that a pair of shoes you buy will fit if you don't know:

> The size and shape of your feet,
> What style works best for you,
> What kind of value you are looking for.

Unfortunately, most people approach getting a job as if fit and comfort have nothing to do with it. They chase a job that someone else tells them they should pursue. They chase a job that looks prestigious. They chase a bigger salary. These are all sure-fire ways of ending up in a very uncomfortable position!

How well does your career fit you?
Take a look at the following signs that your career may not be a good fit:

• You dread going to work in the morning
• You feel frustrated, dissatisfied or unfulfilled
• You feel bored
• You feel like you are being underpaid
• You daydream about doing something else
• You don't feel appreciated
• You don't get along with your boss or team-mates
• You feel like you're work/life balance is out of whack
• You feel too much stress and pressure

If any of these describe how you feel, then it may be time for a change.

How To Find a Career that Fits
What if you could build on your strengths, manage your weaknesses, and choose a direction that will give you the greatest opportunity for success?

1. Know Yourself.
Take time to discover and assess your interests, skills, values and personality. This critical step provides the foundation for determining best-fit career options. Online self-assessments are one of the best ways to gain self-knowledge.

2. Get Guidance in Thinking Through Your Options.
A career consultant can help you see possibilities you haven't considered. Most of us have too much negative self-talk to clearly evaluate our options. For maximum convenience, consider career guidance by telephone.

3. Explore and Narrow-Down Your Options.
With the help of a career consultant, research and explore the list of options that really seem to resonate with you. Talk with people already in those jobs to see if the jobs feel right for you. Ask if you can "shadow" a person in the job for a day to get a real flavor of the job. Find out what obstacles you may have to pursuing this career.

4. Build a Plan.
Finding a career that fits takes thought and planning. Lay it out step by step, so you know exactly what is required to achieve your dream. Do you have the right skills? Degree? Certifications? What do you need to do to acquire them? Again, your career consultant can help you map out exactly what steps you need to take.

Why struggle on your own? The best performers, athletes, and business people in the world have gotten where they are by tapping into personal coaches and consultants who support, challenge, and help train them to achieve their very best.

Let us help you find a career direction that really fits. Contact us today at 1-800-988-7721 or visit our website at www.clearambition.com right now to learn how.

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"I am approaching the end of college, and prior to my experience with Clear Ambition, I had no idea what kind of career path I wanted to pursue. It helped me to identify career options that I would have never considered."
~ J. Boyd

"This is a wonderful product. At different points in our lives we look at our careers and sometimes wonder if there are other opportunities we should be considering. The problem comes when we don't know where to look. Your online tools provide the direction! Thank You!"
~ K. Houlihan

"Rugged Individualism can only take you so far in work and life. If you find yourself stuck at a crossroads in your life or career and you aren't sure which path to take, this is not the time to go it alone. By balancing self-discovery with personal 1-to-1 guidance, Clear Ambition will open your eyes to possibilities you’ve never considered. Young or old, it doesn’t matter… in today’s competitive workplace, you want experienced professionals in your corner."
~ J. Mathews, author of The Meaning of Life Project

April 2008

Welcome to the April 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s monthly newsletter.

Thought of the Month:

The things you want are always possible; it is just that the way to get them is not
always apparent. The only real obstacle in your path to a fulfilling life is you...
     ~ Les Brown

If Only I Had a "Life Direction Travel Agent"...

In a recent survey among adults, a simple question was asked: "If you had received more guidance in planning your career, education, or life direction, do you think your circumstances today would be better, worse, or about the same?"

Before reading further, think about how you would answer the question.

A full 65% of people who responded said they believed their circumstances today would be better if they had received more guidance.

When asked how their circumstances would be better, here is some of what they said:

• "I would've narrowed my options that weren't good fits sooner... not wasted years searching."
• "Different career... happier... more satisfied."
• "I would have chosen a different degree."
• "Would be more financially sound."
• I'm not happy with where my life circumstances are today..., I would've been encouraged to explore more options and possibilities earlier."
• "Would have earned a degree... better paying job."
• "May have made different choices at different times which may have resulted in higher salary."
• "I'd have a better job."
• "Would have known about more opportunities available to me."

How did you answer the question? Did any of these responses sound familiar?

Tripping Over Your Baggage

As Les Brown says, "The only real obstacle in your path to a fulfilling life is you... you carry the baggage and insecurities of past experience." And that's the problem isn't it? We all have baggage that we'd love the airlines to conveniently lose for us. But it just keeps collecting at our feet so we stumble over it whenever we're ready to head off to some exciting new destination.

There are times in our lives when we want and need to change our direction. Most of us are pretty good at recognizing when we're frustrated or unhappy. Our issue is not in knowing that we need to change our direction, it's in deciding where we want to go and how to get there.

In other words, we need someone to help us figure out how to stop tripping over our own baggage; to help us plan our destination and to map the best route to get there. What we really need is a "Life Direction Travel Agent" of sorts.

Did you know that there is such a person? That is exactly the role that the Career Consultants at Clear Ambition serve. Regardless of your life stage, we offer 1-to-1 highly personalized guidance to help you determine what your best-fit career options are and to help you map out how to get from where you are to where you want to be.

The older we get, the better we become at convincing ourselves that we don't deserve to be satisfied. That we shouldn't try. That it's too late. That it's safer to stay where we are. Don't be one of those people who says, "If only I had..."

Contact one of our "Life Direction Travel Agents" today at 1-800-988-7721 or visit our website at www.ClearAmbition.com for the trip of a life time... a career direction that really fits you!

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"This is a wonderful product. At different points in our lives we look at our careers and sometimes wonder if there are other opportunities we should be considering. The problem comes when we don't know where to look. Your online tools provide the direction! Thank You!"
~ K. Houlihan

March 2008

Welcome to the March 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s monthly newsletter.

Thought of the Month:

Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it,
take yourself out of it.
    ~ Unknown

Your Future... On Fire

You've seen them. You probably even know one of them - the people who love what they do. Have you seen how their eyes light up when they talk about their job? Have you noticed that they don't refer to what they do as work? They can't wait to get up every morning. It's like they're on fire.

Have you wondered how to find career that will make you feel the same way?

Setting your future on fire requires that you let go of some common myths about your career path.

Myth #1:
Job satisfaction is tied to how much money you make.

This myth is actually the truth in reverse. In reality, the amount of money you make is tied to how satisfied you are. Studies have shown that over time, people who love what they do actually have a greater success rate than those who don't. Following the money instead of your skills, interests, and passion only leads to misery.

Myth #2:
People who love what they do just got lucky... they fell into the right work.

It only appears that they got lucky. When you love what you do, it looks effortless to others. These people have worked hard to get where they are. The only difference between these people and others is that they have made an effort to understand themselves and to align their skills, interests, and values with a way to make a living.

The absolute best thing about the career guidance process is the way it makes you feel. Stop right now and close your eyes. Check how you really feel about your current situation. How do you feel about the way the next 10 years of your life are likely to unfold if you stay on the current path?

Myth #3:
Your career path is a fixed object.

This is not your grandfather's career. Stop thinking of your career as a stationary thing. It is neither fixed nor an object. Your career is an evolving series of opportunities that allow you to use your unique skills, qualities and characteristics to be rewarded by people (or organizations) that need what you have to offer.

So... how do you set your future on fire?

1) Forget the myths and accept responsibility for building the future you want.

2) Stop, Look and Listen.
Stop trying to force a decision. Really look at yourself to discover your interests, skills, values and personality and then listen to your heart. Online self-assessments are one of the best ways to gain self-knowledge. But beware of assessments that don't provide the ability for interpretation from a trained career guidance expert.

3) Get help with your assessments and with exploring your best-fit options.
A career guidance expert can help you see possibilities you haven't considered. Career planning guidance doesn't have to be expensive. Look for a career expert who has a Master's Degree, at least five years experience in career guidance, and who will tell you what his/her fees are upfront. For maximum convenience, consider career guidance by telephone.

4) Be patient.
Don't make a knee-jerk decision. A career change takes thought and planning. It is far easier (and less stressful) to plan your next step while you have a steady paycheck than when you don't. You may not be able to get the job of your dreams immediately, but with proper planning, you can step your way toward the career you really want.

5) Revisit your plans regularly.
You are constantly changing and so is the world around you. If your circumstances change significantly, then it's probably time to re-take some self-assessments and revisit your career plans.

It doesn't matter if you are a student just starting to think about a career direction, someone in mid-career, or someone thinking about semi-retirement options, you deserve a career that you love.

So go ahead and set your future on fire. Visit our website at www.ClearAmbition.com to get help finding a life direction that fits you! We look forward to helping you!

What People Are Saying About Clear Ambition

"Rugged Individualism can only take you so far in work and life. If you find yourself stuck at a crossroads in your life or career and you aren't sure which path to take, this is not the time to go it alone. By balancing self-discovery with personal 1-to-1 guidance, Clear Ambition will open your eyes to possibilities you’ve never considered. Young or old, it doesn’t matter… in today’s competitive workplace, you want experienced professionals in your corner."

~Joe Mathews, author of The Meaning of Life Project and co-author of Street Smart Franchising.

February 2008

Welcome to the February 2008 Edition of Clear Ambition’s monthly newsletter.

Thought of the Month:

If you don’t know where you are going,
you’ll probably end up somewhere else.
~ Lawrence J. Peter

Career Guidance: Who Needs It?

People regularly seek advice from experts on their health, investments, and how to fix their computer. But when it comes to the biggest decision of all, choosing a life/career direction, they struggle in silence.

It doesn't matter if you are a student, a job seeker, a career changer, or someone considering semi-retirement options, finding a direction that fits you is just plain difficult by yourself.

Many hope they will eventually fall into the right career. Others wait for the “billboard” moment in which their future life direction will suddenly flash before their eyes. Does it happen? I have yet to see a billboard with my name on it.

Studies show that only 15-20% of all U.S. workers are highly satisfied in their current jobs. Add to that fact data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which shows that the average worker now moves through 10+ jobs over the course of a career and you get an ugly picture of how well we all do when left to our own devices.

If so many people are frustrated and unhappy, why don’t they seek career guidance from a professional career consultant? There are 3 key reasons:

• Some people don’t know they exist;
• They don’t think they can fit it in to their schedule;
• They’re afraid it will cost too much.

Sound familiar?

So why should you seek the guidance of a career consultant? Here are just a handful of the many things a trained career consultant can do for you:

1. Help you assess your interests, strengths, skills, values, and personality;
2. Help you identify a career direction that really fits you;
3. Help you uncover what may be holding you back;
4. Help you map out the education and training steps (if needed);
5. Help guide you in how to market yourself (resume prep, networking, interviewing).

The absolute best thing about the career guidance process is the way it makes you feel. Stop right now and close your eyes. Check how you really feel about your current situation. How do you feel about the way the next 10 years of your life are likely to unfold if you stay on the current path?

Are you on the right track? Are you really happy? Is your current direction the best use of your talents? Do you feel valued? Are you excited when you wake up in the morning?

OR...

Do you feel like you’re drifting, boxed in, or just scraping through each day? Are you frustrated, anxious, or even angry because you really don’t know what your next step should be? If you fall into this second group, you have plenty of company.

The real question is what will you do about it? Will you continue to struggle? Or will you get the guidance you need to live your life to the fullest?

If you want help in finding a life direction that really excites you, visit www.ClearAmbition.com. Using the Internet and telephone, Clear Ambition brings highly trained career consultants directly to you in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Not only is it convenient, but it’s extremely affordable. It costs only half of what people pay for their daily cup of coffee over the course of a year.

So stop waiting for the billboard moment. Visit our website at www.clearambition.com to get help finding a life direction that fits! We look forward to helping you!