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!
Achievement Intelligence: When is Enough, Enough?
I coined the phrase Achievement Intelligence to help create guardrails from overworking, so we can enjoy our careers and love our lives simultaneously. We live in a culture where we are enticed to look for the next best thing – accomplish more – and constantly raise the bar, which can leave us feeling inadequate and […]
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 article title […]
Design Your Life and Career so It Doesn’t Happen by Default
The launch of the book, Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans – professors at Stanford University has empowered professionals to use the design thinking process to intentionally create meaningful careers. As a career & executive coach, I have been using this process with great success serving clients interested in being a designer […]
The Art of Public Speaking and How It Can Enhance Your Career
Among the pressing fears for human beings, public speaking ranks at the very top along with heights and bugs. As someone who really enjoys public speaking, I realize that I may be part of a small population but I also know how speaking has enhanced my communication and leveraged my career brand. I offer wisdom […]
Redesign the Future of Work for Women
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Recently, I attended a presentation featuring Kim Azzarelli, co-founder of Seneca Point Global and Deanna Bass, Director of HR and Diversity and Inclusion at Proctor and Gamble at the TEDWomen event in New Orleans. The overflowing crowd of women assembled for this session was brimming with energy to discuss solutions to make the world-of-work better […]
Design Your Life & Career with Purpose Event
January 18, 2018 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at Borshoff in downtown Indianapolis Join me and small group of smart and savvy professional women interested in honing their professional skills and designing personalized action plans for success to start 2018 off with purpose. My co-creators, Kris Taylor and Lindsay Boccardo and I have designed a full […]
Make It Count When You Work From Home
A global study by Vodafone found that flexibility in the career world is highly valued by the modern employee. It benefits the talent pool with an adaptive work schedule and leads to increased productivity and more engaged employees. Today, 75 percent of businesses worldwide have a flexible work policy, and that number is growing daily. […]
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 […]
Get More Gritty in Your Career
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Grit is defined as firmness of mind or spirit – an unyielding courage in the face of hardship. The career world is changing so fast that grit has become a sought after competency for hiring and a necessity for entrepreneurs and innovators. The emerging research indicates that grit can determine success or achievement far better […]
The Thrill of Victory and The Agony of Defeat
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National unemployment numbers are the lowest in recent history and jobs are more plentiful but finding the right career fit can still be a challenge. Some are re-entering the job world after a planned hiatus – like taking time off to raise children, caring for elderly parents, or becoming a trailing spouse following a partner’s […]
Design Your Career Destiny So It Doesn’t Happen by Default
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I was honored to present the keynote session at the Women’s Forum for the ISACA Chicago Chapter in October. I share a few salient points from the daylong event that will resonate for women (and men) focusing on designing their professional lives so they don’t happen by default. Manage Up. Don’t assume your boss knows […]
Be a High Achiever Instead of a Workaholic
As a recovering workaholic, I have finally come to terms with the reality that workaholism is unhealthy and unsustainable. The tragic reality of workaholism is that is also leads to unhappiness and burnout in life and career. I believe that suffering is optional and now I’m focusing on being a high achiever instead if a […]
Finding Work After A Long Career Break
Talia Jansen is mom of two who returned to the workforce after several years as the Chief Household Officer for her family. She focused on raising her young children and off ramped from the world of work but she successfully re-entered after several years away and has great wisdom to share. Thank you, Talia for […]
Creativity in Your Career
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It’s easy to fall into a monotonous routine at work that zaps your energy and leads to a lack of enthusiasm. Keeping your career fresh and compelling is your responsibility since your boss is not your career coach. Career engagement starts with you and these tips will help you hone your creativity at work. Learn […]
