This Is Not The Career I Ordered™ Blog
Savvy Professional Career Wisdom by Caroline Dowd-Higgins
This is Not the Career I Ordered is read by thousands of careerists around the globe. With savvy tools, inspiration, and resources, this timeless book empowers you to enjoy your career, and love your life!
A Grown-Up Snow Day: How Will You Spend it?
Much of the country is being pelted with winter weather as I watch the beautiful snow accumulate outside from my warm and cozy perch at home. I’m in the mood for the stillness and peace that comes with a winter snowy day. ☃️ Before digital e-learning days, kids would wish for snow days to enjoy […]
2025: Let’s Do This!
As we begin a new year, the time is ripe to consider what you need and want to be happy, healthy, and gratified in your life and career. The pressure to pick a new year’s resolution can be stressful. Instead of a singular resolution that is likely to wane in a few months – here […]
Refresh Team Engagement Regularly
I see LinkedIn announcements every day from people enthusiastically reporting new roles in new organizations. Hiring trends are strong and savvy companies are bringing in top talent. With a focus on retaining newly hired top talent and honoring the existing staff already in place, I encourage you to consider a team engagement refresh on a […]
Awe-Inducing Moments Can Alleviate Stress
I just came back from visiting my long-distance family and I’m reminded of the power of a change of pace to stimulate the mind and alleviate stress. You need not have a luxury vacation to recharge your battery and destress. Consider the psychology about why time away matters and how it impacts your health and […]
Building Trust and Inspiring Others as a Leader
There are hundreds of books on leadership and just as many philosophies, which can make it overwhelming as you strengthen new leadership muscles or hone your style as a seasoned professional. A common denominator appreciated by modern workers is when a leader builds trust and inspire others. Narcissism is no longer tolerated and savvy leaders […]
Forest Bathing is Good for Your Life and Career
I was driving to work one morning when I heard a fascinating NPR story about forest bathing and how a retreat to nature can boost immunity and mood. If you have not heard about the trendy concept of forest bathing, the study of the practice dates back to the late 1990’s when a test was […]
How The Future Works
The pandemic turned the traditional nine-to-five workday on its head out of necessity. The 2-year (and counting) global case study in remote/hybrid work has irrevocably changed how many people want to work moving forward. With the Worker’s Market driving change, savvy organizations are rethinking the way we work long-term in the new digital-first workplace. My […]
ReCulture Your Workplace for Lasting Success and Satisfaction
The late leadership guru, Peter Drucker’s iconic quote, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast….” is visceral in an era when people are leaving companies in record numbers to seek work environments that honor their values and provide meaning and purpose. I had a great conversation with Melissa Daimler, Chief Learning Officer for Udemy on my Your […]
Employee Languishing: It’s a Real Thing
I’m an avid consumer of the writings, talks, and podcasts of Adam Grant, Wharton professor and organizational psychologist. Recently, I listened to his Ted Talk on how to stop languishing and start finding flow. Are You Feeling Meh? Let’s be real – there is a lot happening in the world right now. Mass shootings are […]
Recruiters Seek a Learning Mindset When Recruiting Top Talent Top
“I wonder…” Whenever I hear coaching clients start off a sentence with these two words, I feel heartened. It means wheels are turning…intuition is kicking in, and mobilization is in the offing. It means my clients are curious, and ready to move past what is safe…beyond the known. It signals that they’re ready to step […]
Don’t be a Career Loser – Take All Your Paid Time Off
As a recovering workaholic, I strive regularly to integrate life and career to honor my personal relationships and my professional ambition. My life often resembles a roller coaster with ups and downs of activity and never a consistent steady balance – and that’s OK. This reality check has allowed me to navigate the ultra-busy career […]
Should I Stay, or Should I Go?
The world-of-work is changing fast with unemployment at a record low and the Talent Wars in full swing. The Worker’s Market has given everyone the opportunity to reconsider their values and assess whether their current workplace is a best fit. As a career and leadership coach, I hear on a regular basis from clients asking […]
Don’t Be Your Own Worst Career Enemy
We’ve all been in job situations that weren’t ideal but if you are looking to move up or move on, your professional attitude is something that will pave the way for a new opportunity. I read a great piece in Gamut News about self sabotaging career behaviors that you need to be aware of. When […]
A Career Letter to The Class of 2022
It’s graduation season and I’ve had the honor of speaking at commencement ceremonies this spring. Here is my career wisdom for the multigenerational Class of 2022 that still holds true for seasoned professionals. Dear Class of 2022: As you head into the endemic work world you have an opportunity to design your own career destiny […]
