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!
I’d Rather Be in Charge
This phrase resonates so clearly for many of us and happens to be the title of an iconic book by Charlotte Beers. Former Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, I’ve seen Charlotte deliver several keynotes over the years to share her wisdom. Wicked smart, full of moxie and extraordinary life experiences, this queen […]
Feeling Stuck in Your Life or Career? Design Your Way to a Better Future
You are not alone of you feel stuck, stalled, or stagnated in your career. I work with many clients who have been in the same role, or with the same organization for multiple years and feel that the spark is no longer there when it comes to their work. They feel drained; lack focus, and […]
Reinvent Your Career with Design Thinking
Has your career path stalled? Maybe you need a shift in your mindset. Savvy professionals around the world have adopted the process of design thinking—a series of steps for generating options, testing strategies, and seeking feedback—to reinvent their careers. Design thinking was used previously as a tool in product development (focusing on the end user) […]
It’s Time to Stop Dreaming and Start Activating
So many of us have waited for the perfect job description to magically appear and make all of our career dreams come true. Or, a perfectly balanced life with less stress, more time to exercise, well-behaved kids and the ideal life partner. What are you waiting for? It’s time to stop wishing for great things […]
Forget Unrealistic Resolutions and Achieve Micro Goals Instead
We all know that most New Year’s resolutions fall flat by the end of January. The goals tend to be too big and we lose focus and motivation to follow-through. Consider a micro goal that is realistic and achievable to reframe your resolution mindset and celebrate everyday wins. Here are some ideas to get you […]
Ring in the New Year with Reflection
Consider a new tradition as you begin the calendar year. How will you design the next 12 months to honor yourself and what you value? Instead of focusing on resolutions that are often hard to keep – take an incremental approach and begin by asking yourself questions to help clarify what’s really important. Give yourself […]
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 […]
Enhance Your Career with a Side Hustle
The gig economy is alive and well and many people are taking control of their professional lives by activating a side hustle to add a supplemental income stream or flex entrepreneurial muscles. Nick Loper identifies himself as a Chief Side Hustler and created Side Hustle Nation to help those committed to the side hustle career […]
The Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
You’ve probably heard a million times that spending time outdoors is essential for your mental and physical health. But did you know that the benefits go beyond a simple breath of fresh air? Below, we’ll explore the myriad rewards you can reap by spending some quality time with nature. From boosts in creativity and increased […]
Is There An Entrepreneur In You?
Ever had an idea for a business that just keeps tapping you on the shoulder…and have you ever thought of throwing caution to the wind and actually doing it? If the thought has even crossed your mind, there may be an entrepreneur in you just waiting to be unleashed. In my book, This Is Not […]
The Importance of Empathy in Our Lives
Even though it is frequently mentioned by many people, empathy is something that is hardly practiced or prioritized. Up to 98 percent of people are capable of empathizing with others, with the exception of sociopaths, psychopaths and narcissists who are incapable of understanding or relating to the feelings and emotions of other people. People with […]
The Importance of Receiving
With the holidays upon us, it’s fair to say we’ll probably be doing a lot more giving in the days and weeks to come – whether it’s giving parties, gifts, donations, side dishes, or our time. For women, in particular, giving tends to be our default… our wheelhouse. Many of us have no problem giving, […]
Screen Time Relief: 3 Tips To Detox
This holiday season, I hope you’ll consider giving yourself a rare and precious gift…I hope you’ll give yourself the gift of time away from your screens. More than ever before it feels like we’re staring at a screen the majority of our days – living in a virtual world that detaches us from others and, […]
It’s About the Journey – Part Two: 3 Tips For Embracing the Path
In last week’s post I shared the story of my career transition from Opera into the Professional Development work I do today. Making that change eighteen years ago was a huge challenge. My career journey all of the sudden took a turn into uncharted territory and I was shaken to the core, but also changed […]
