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!
Enjoy Your Career. Love Your Life. ™
For decades, I took great pride in being known as a workhorse. I was praised for burning the candle at both ends and didn’t take all my well-earned paid time off. I didn’t recognize the fact that I sacrificed my personal life for my career because I loved my all-consuming work. In the heart of […]
Sorry? Not Sorry!
We all know people who over-apologize. Individuals who take responsibility for everything – even things they didn’t do. Research tells us that women tend to over-apologize more than men. As comedian and writer Amy Poehler puts it, “It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for.” Harriet […]
Confidence, Courage, and Failure – A Formula for Career Success!
Recently, I spoke at the Indiana Governor’s Conference for Women. It was a day brimming with professional development to empower women to lead and take control of their careers and lives. Confidence was a key theme throughout the day accentuated by the luncheon keynoters Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, co-authors of the best selling book: The […]
10 Ways to Overcome the Career Imposter Syndrome
Joyce Roché has been a trailblazer in the corporate world for 25 years, as Avon’s first African American female vice president; COO of Carson Products Company, now part of L’Oreal; former CEO of the national nonprofit Girls Inc.; and a board member on five Fortune 500 companies. Her book about overcoming impostor syndrome is The […]
Present Ideas to Your Boss With Confidence
Pitching a new idea to your boss does not have to be daunting or intimidating. Some practical tips from eHow magazine will help you on your way and give you the confidence and courage to share your ideas with conviction. Gather information that supports your idea. Find statistics that show the potential success of your […]
The Art of Failure and Why It’s Good for You
Years ago I was in an interview for a big freelance opportunity and my almost future boss asked me – “What was your biggest professional failure?” The question really freaked me out since I did not want to expose my vulnerable side or my true weaknesses. I was trying to land the job and show […]
How to Gain Trust With Your Colleagues
Building and maintaining trust in the workplace is vital to a healthy environment where colleagues feel valued and respected. Attempting to build trust amongst employees has become a major challenge for many organizations and lack of trust often leads to disgruntled colleagues and frequent turn over. Lisa Carver from Associated Content shared these practical tips […]
The Power of a Career Brand and Why You Need One
As a career coach, I often work with people that brand products or services for an organization but have no real awareness of their personal professional brand and why it matters. It’s time to take stock of your own brand and use it to achieve your career goals. Your Story Matters – when was the […]
Confidence On Tap – Part 3 Keep On Learning!
In my previous blog posts ‘Confidence On Tap’, Parts 1 and 2, I discussed how practicing bold body language and taking continuous action steps towards goals can have a positive affect on your confidence level. Since it’s ‘Back-to-School’ season, I thought it would be apropos to continue the confidence discussion by focusing on the positive […]
Vacation Matters: Don’t Be A Work Martyr!
Since the summer vacation season has drawn to a close, I invite you to take stock of the time you’ve had off so far this year. Have you taken all the vacation that’s coming to you? According to an eye-opening new study commissioned by Travel Effect, an initiative of the U.S. Travel Association, forty percent […]
Gail Sheehy’s 10 Dares to Take in Your 20s Part II
Gail Sheehy’s new book Daring: My Passages is a memoir of life experiences from a woman who knows how to embrace life – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Gail very generously agreed to allow me to feature her Huffington Post blog about 10 Dares to Take in Your 20’s – here is Part […]
Gail Sheehy’s 10 Dares to Take in Your 20’s Part I
I had the great pleasure of interviewing the iconic author, speaker and journalist, Gail Sheehy for my podcast series Your Working Life recently and I am honored to call her a friend. Gail’s new book Daring: My Passages is a memoir of delicious and difficult experiences from a woman who knows how to live life. […]
Confidence Part II – Change Your Body, Change Your Mind
You may recall the scenes in The Sound of Music where Julie Andrews, as Maria, is trying to summon her confidence as she prepares to interview for the governess post with the Von Trapp Family. I love Maria’s feisty, go-get-em attitude. She’s terrified, but she holds her fear at bay by dancing down the road […]
Confidence on Tap – Part I
As a career consultant, I’ve coached many clients who’ve suffered from a debilitating lack of confidence, and my best advice – born from experience – is to take action. Moving through my own career transition from opera singer to university director, and, additionally, to author, speaker and coach, has tested my confidence mettle, to say […]
