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!
Life and Career Lessons from a Power Outage

A massive storm hit last week that resulted in a tornado touch down (several miles from us) and many downed trees and power lines which cut off our electricity for 3 days. Luckily, the damage to our home was mild with a large tree limb that broke our backyard fence and many fallen branches and […]
Honor the Introverts and Give Them Space to Be Heard

Western culture favors gregarious extraverts in the world-of-work. They speak up, think quickly on their feet, and rarely hesitate to share their point of view when interacting with colleagues and stakeholders. The perception of extraverts is not always based on the content, or the quality of the information shared, but the style with which it […]
Honor Your Body – It’s the Only One You Have

The pandemic continues to raise our stress levels and while the arrival of a vaccine is on the horizon, it will take a lot for us to navigate the next several months and beyond. I recently re-read Arianna Huffington’s book, The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time, and it continues to […]
5 Ways to Give Thanks at Work

Back by popular demand, my friend and colleague, Kris Taylor has wisdom to share that will inspire you as we bring this year to a close. Kris is the founder of Evergreen Leadership and co-founder of LEAP. 2020 has been a tough year for you and your employees: You’ve had to adjust and adapt, often […]
The Hazards of Overworking During the Pandemic

With those fortunate to have work during this era of record unemployment, working remotely has led to blurred boundaries and burning the candle at both ends for many. In the beginning of the new work-at-home reality workers felt the need to be seen and heard more, albeit virtually in order to prove their value, especially […]
Playing To Your Strengths: Finding Your “Zone”

We hear it often…it’s better to play to your strengths rather than trying to fix your weaknesses. While that may seem like a “no-brainer,” especially when it comes to work and career, it’s surprising how many continue to work against their own proverbial grain. We’ve all heard about the challenges of trying to fit square […]
Curiosity: Let It Be Your Guide

“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 […]
Brave Not Perfect – Part II: Counteracting Perfectionism

If you’re looking to shake off your fears and move forward in your career, I highly recommend Reshma Saujani’s book, Brave, Not Perfect. Saujani, who founded Girls Who Code, says that, for women to succeed in the business world, it’s about more than just leaning in or boosting self-confidence – she says it’s about finding […]
Brave Not Perfect – Part I: Taking Bolder Risks

With social media permeating our daily lives at every turn, things can seem pretty darn perfect out there. In this Instagram world where makeup is done to a ‘T’, hair is in place, and family and friends seem to always be having the time of their lives, it’s easier than ever to fall into the […]
Improving Your Future Career Prospects During COVID-19

Life hasn’t been easy for any of us over the last year, and many changes have taken place as a result of the global pandemic. Some of these changes relate to employment. Millions of people have lost their jobs according to published figures, college grads have been forced to wait for employment, and those who […]
There is No Mind Reading in The Career World

Gone are the days when working hard was enough to earn recognition or a promotion in the career world. Take control of your career trajectory and design your unique path. In addition to mapping out your career future, be sure to tap the wisdom of those who can empower you to achieve your goals. Keeping […]
Life Changes as a Result of a Global Pandemic

While I still cringe at the ubiquitous use of the phrase “new normal” – the pandemic has led to some positive changes for which I am grateful. I read a compelling piece about the joint effort of Parade and the Cleveland Clinic that surveyed 1000 Americans during the past few months of COVID-19. The results […]
Change Your Mind: Change Your Life

I hope you enjoy this guest post by Kathleen Cameron. Change your mind. It’s easier said than done. Truly understanding yourself and learning how to appreciate what you are capable of is pivotal in achieving whatever your goal may be. This is not only true for specific goals, this is for people with health goals, […]
Thank you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I believe you could hear a collective gasp across the country when the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing hit the news on the evening of September 18, 2020. Small in stature and truly mighty, the notorious RBG was “…a tireless and resolute champion of justice.” stated by her colleague, Supreme Court Chief Justice John […]