How can you help clients explore their interests and passions more deeply?

One aspect of my position as a professor is to inform, excite, and assist my students with navigating their career paths. A first step I tell them is to sign up for trade e-newsletters. It's a great way to be current and keep learning about their chosen field. In my particular area, advertising, trade publications like Ad Age and Adweek, and organizations like the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), offer excellent informative daily emails.

Encourage clients to envision their ideal future by asking questions that prompt them to explore their long-term aspirations. Inquire about the legacy they want to leave, the contributions they hope to make, or the achievements they aim to attain.

People can best understand their interests and passions by being present in their working and non-working lives and consciously noticing what tasks they are enjoying and when they are so engaged in something they begin to lose track of time. These moments that are happening now, and memories we have when things engaged us like this are often clues as to what interests us. What are you listening to, reading about, watching etc when you have free time? More clues... So, my best advice is to be a curious observer of yourself and your reactions to things, start noticing!

Asking open-ended questions is a great start, but you have to go a level or two deeper. One of the most valuable skills I learned through marketing research is to ask follow-up questions (or probes). When you hear a word or phrase that is ambiguous or seems "loaded", take the time to ask the person you're working with what it means to them. They'll feel heard, and you'll avoid making assumptions based on your own experience and biases.

When I work with clients, as a certified holistic time management coach, I help them understand they need to think of the entirety of their lives as a whole -- both career and personal. I ask, what have they always wanted to try, but haven't. I then ask them to explore why they haven't tried. I urge them to pick up hobbies they once enjoyed, but haven't participated in because "work got in the way." Pursuing hobbies outside of work, or even taking classes to enhance your work, are all part of continual growth of yourself as a whole.

The number one way to explore areas of interest is to conduct "Informational Interviews" with people you know who are working in the function, discipline and industries you are focused on during your job search. Some good core questions to ask in your informational interviews are: • Please tell me a bit about your background. How did you get your start in the industry? • What do you like best and least about the industry or company and your role? • What advice do you have for someone trying to get into the ____industry? • What could I do short term to make myself a stronger candidate? • Could you recommend colleagues I could talk to within the company or industry? • Do you mind if I keep in touch with you for advice?

By helping them understand that growth is a continuous process that gets rewarded in multiple ways. Our life is never constant. It always moves either in the positive or in the negative direction. Reward is the result or effect connected to that movement.

A comprehensive self-assessment that involves evaluating achievements, skills, interests, personal values, and personality, combined with a consideration of career goals and aspirations, is something which tends to help my clients in finding their way forward.

As a career counselor, I make sure that my clients reflect on their past experiences by figuring out if they were satisfied about their job or not, what would they like to eliminate from their day-to-day and from their overall career path, what brought them the most career fulfillment, for what/whom they are most grateful, if they achieved the goals they set a year ago If not, why not! what impact did they create with their work. I also support them in setting their own vision by reflecting on the below questions: -what will they achieve to feel extremely satisfied with the outcome of the year? -What does their skills, interests gap look like and how could they fill it? -What 3 things they would like to achieve for their ideal next move?

Along with the assessment which helps us to understand the individual (Since we may not know them for a long time) gives our questions a good direction and then also we can get them to understand better by asking the Open Ended Questions apart from the ones that we may ask them during the Discovery / Exploratory session.

Provide holistic interpretation of assessment results. It's essential to guide clients in understanding that assessments are just one piece of the puzzle.

The beauty of assessment tools is that they help you better understand yourself. Self-actualization takes time and effort and assessments can help you learn more about what you value, how your personality plays a role in your career fit and what strengths energize you. Knowing yourself is the best way to design your future, so it doesn't happen by default. The best assessments are research based and will also help you navigate your blind spots or saboteurs. These tools are a great asset in your lifelong professional development and a career coach can help you unpack the results.

Enhance passion exploration with assessments and tools! Utilize personality tests, interest inventories, and values exercises to unveil strengths and motivations. Incorporate career aptitude tests for goal identification. Leverage online resources like blogs, podcasts, and videos to broaden insights into various fields. However, emphasize the supplementary nature of these tools and provide clarity on their purpose and limitations.

From a career change perspective, it's very difficult for someone to emotionally attach themselves to something new if they have never done it. If you have never studied or dabbled in coding before, it came seem overwhelming and scary. Once you produce your first "Hello, World" on a coding platform, however, the simplicity and engaging nature of what coding is quickly becomes apparent. You need tools and assessments for students/clients to complete, so that there is a drive for them succeed (something we all need) as well as showing that their hopes and goals are real and achievable.

The biggest mistake people make is using assessments that were created for HR purposes (assignments within a given business) and making career choices based on that. For example, the DISC assessment is a great tool to use within an organization, not to be used to make an initial career choice. Real aptitude tests are similar to IQ tests and measure capabilities across the board.

I can't tell you how many people have sought out career tests to "tell" them what to be and do. No one test can do this. I don't even like the word "test" as it implies right and wrong, and when it comes to career and life choices it's not that simple. However, valid and reliable psychometric assessments are a valuable part of our toolkit as career counsellors/career psychologists, and have helped many people gain further clarity and self-insight.

There are so many tools and assessments available. A combination of a few are great. I tend to use: Gallup Clifton Strengths - to understand what you’re naturally great at VIA Strengths - to understand personality traits Standout- to gauge what type of roles my suit who you are Skills inventories are useful as well and completing a values exercise, which can be underestimated as a tool for guiding you towards greater alignment in your work.

I like to use a mixture of assessment tools and open-ended questions. For some clients, these tools are a helpful way to start a conversation about their interests and passions. For others, it can be helpful to draw what is happening in their world now and to talk through their passions and interests around this.

Assessment tools are great for getting a new perspective or ideas someone would have never considered before. The results make a useful jumping off point. We should then guide the client to view the results through the lens of what they know about themselves. Doing basic self reflection before completing assessments gives the client a better idea of what options could actually work for them. It depends on factors like education, work environment and what skills they want to utilize more in the future.

Ignite passion exploration through experimentation! Encourage clients to delve into new hobbies, activities, courses, or projects aligned with their interests. Suggest volunteering, shadowing, or networking in desired fields. Collaboratively create action plans and SMART goals for a realistic pursuit. Provide steadfast support to overcome fears, doubts, or barriers hindering proactive steps.

Encourage clients to embrace micro-experiments as a low-risk way to explore their interests. Suggest they start with small, manageable steps, such as taking a short online course or attending a local workshop.

I would also encourage them to think back to what they enjoyed in childhood or as teenagers, as well as things they had considered in the past but never experimented with. Past aspirations and desires that were never acted upon can be like a trail of bread crumbs to uncovering "new" interests. Throughout our lives we are influenced by family, friends, colleagues and strangers. This can lead to abandoning interests that we need to actually turn into reality instead of leaving them in the discard pile of old hopes and dreams. What dreams did you leave behind that might be worth re-evaluating?

Encourage clients to have a growth mindset and suggest continuous learning opportunities like online courses, workshops, or industry events. Leverage your network to connect them with professionals who can offer guidance and mentorship. Propose the idea of creating a "Personal Board of Advisors" consisting of professionals with diverse perspectives and experiences. Encourage clients to regularly reflect on their experiences and integrate their passions (WHAT did you like about that position/hobby - what did you NOT enjoy about position/hobby, etc) into their professional development plans by aligning short-term objectives with long-term interests.

In my experience, job-shadowing opportunities, internships/externships and co-ops serve as additional opportunities for individuals to gain insight into careers to assess motivational fit. When I say motivational fit, the focus is on, not “if the person can do the job but rather does the person “want” to do the job and if so, so they enjoy it. Absent the enjoyment of the role, people find themselves unfulfilled and or dissatisfied leading to low performance and turn over. The more you’re exposed to in this capacity, the better opportunity you have to understand what roles involve and where you will find your joy!

The only way to know if something will suit them as a work option is by researching, networking, trialling and experimenting with it. Immersion is the key. Know what it feels like, what a ‘day in the life of’ will entail.

Great coaches don't give answers, they ask questions. Great career counselors provide the guidance and support their clients need to make better decisions. They coach their clients to explore their career path interests and motivations. As well as the challenges, obstacles, and risks they might encounter. Great career counselors coach their clients to design the tools they need to lead their own journey.

We test drive cars before we purchase and we try on shoes to see if they fit before we buy. It's essential to test drive careers to better understand what matches your interest, values, skills, and strengths. In addition to research, ask if you can observe a day in the life at an organization you are researching, or perhaps an informational interview with a prospective colleague. Organizations welcome curiosity and you can even raise your hand to take on a new project or help out another team in your current organization to learn more about new possibilities. Lead with curiosity and you will discover what you like and what you don't as you pursue your career journey.

My go-to advice in this case is to use the mapping strategy, where we would establish a step-by-step plan of how to reach establishes long-term goal, and use SMART approach to the evaluation of each step. Since not all jobs could be explored through job shadowing or hobbies, I would advise clients to use Career Cruising for the career exploration, where Typical Day At Work videos are available. Additionally, networking with professionals in the field of choice is invaluable resource of information before clients would invest time and money into a hobby or a course.

We get so lost in what’s expected of us by our friends, family, boss… we often forget who we truly are. We are disconnected and as part of reclaiming our inner power and stepping into our authentic self, I like to experiment and explore different things to see what feels right and aligned. When I look at things as an experiment, I give myself permission to examine and explore. I don’t have the heaviness of long term “can’t change my mind” decisions … Instead, it feels light as if I’m trying on a jacket before I buy or test drive that car. And, I give myself permission to potentially change my mind and that empowers me. That’s how I feel in control. That’s what I like my clients to do too.

Empower clients to delve into their passions through empathetic listening. Validate and celebrate their pursuits, expressing genuine enthusiasm and appreciation. Acknowledge the meaningful value these interests add to their lives. Guide them in recognizing achievements, fostering continual learning, and celebrating successes. Regularly remind them of untapped potential and overarching purpose, creating a positive counseling environment. Utilize empathetic listening as a cornerstone, tailoring guidance for a personalized counseling experience. Ultimately, this approach ensures a comprehensive exploration of clients' interests and passions, fostering self-discovery and personal growth.

We all need affirmation; whether that be a round of applause, a pat on the back or a quick message saying well done. When you are trying something new, or even something old but with some element of added pressure, it can be scary to put our abilities out into the world with the possibility that we'll fall short in front of people. We need to celebrate what is learnt from our failures just as much as we congratulate people for coming first. Far more knowledge is gained in life by saying "Well done for attempting your new interest; what did we learn from it?"

Oftentimes reality (eg, paying a mortgage) gets in the way of clients truly exploring their interests and passions. Even if pursuing an area of passion is unrealistic, it's still important to explore as you never know where it can lead you. Perhaps the passion can become a hobby or part of your "portfolio career". It's not often possible to fulfill all your interests in one career, but if you include volunteering, learning, and growing in different spheres of your life, then it's entirely possible to find room for many of your interests in life.

Giving Clients the opportunity to share their passions and skills opens their voices. How to combine what they are good at, with what they like to do and what the world needs helps open new pathways in a Career. This leads to purpose and helps Clients see their journey evolve positively.

Affirm and celebrate your clients' interests and passions! Express genuine appreciation and enthusiasm for the value they bring to life. Acknowledge achievements, progress, and learning. Celebrate successes and milestones together. Provide unwavering support during challenges, setbacks, or failures, emphasizing their potential and purpose.

Ask and listen to their predicates; watch their eye patterns and make notes. This will help out notify and highlight their deepest triggers. By Observing how the client sitting next to you is doing, by observing their abilities and skills, by listening to their predicaments, even their expression when they are describing their goals. Use your observation to build rapport and create the right conditions for trust. Then, through the presence of connection comes the Sense of Safety. Because, when you observe people and you create trust, you both feel safe.

Creating a plan to regularly engage with their passions and setting achievable goals can also fuel a deeper exploration and commitment to what they love.

The world-of-work tend to focus on how to fix broken things. The classic performance evaluations highlight areas for improvement. While I celebrate continuous learning and improvement, it's essential to celebrate what you already do well. Consider how you can elevate existing strengths to energize you and serve the needs of your organization. Playing to your strengths, and celebrating what you do well is essential for engagement and recognizing great work enhances morale and self-confidence.

“It’s not because you CAN do it, you WANT to do it…” This was my advice to many of my coaching clients. We often get trapped doing things that we are so good at because we have been doing them for years. But here’s the thing… very often, deep down, we don’t want to do these things anymore. We are ready for the next step. But in all honesty, even though we are ready, it is scary. Because it means leaving behind something that feels and is comfortable. So my advice is to start a Reflective Practice. This is simply, at the end of each day or week, looking back at the things that lit you up and what felt heavy. Once you gain this awareness, you can start to make conscious choices towards increasing the things that make you happy.

I agree, we must encourage the client to be curious and do some research about their interest. Start taking small steps by volunteering, networking, cultivating a hobby and/or finding a mentor in the desired field. Visualisation is also a powerful tool. If they need to learn a new skill they can first sign up for a low cost online course to gauge their further interest and aptitude before diving all in. The client will also benefit from working with a coach who can help them look at SMART goals and enable them to create a step by step action plan while keeping them accountable. They will also help them overcome any fear/ doubt/ low confidence and make the mindset shift they need to take action.

I take a slightly different approach with this suggestion on integrating passions and interests. I recommend taking a step back and asking how interests and passions fit into your life. Then, you can determine if you want a job that focuses on an area of passion or if you want a job that provides you the flexibility to explore your passion outside of work. For example, I have clients who only want to work at certified B corporations because they are passionate about sustainability, and I've had others who work in jobs that provide them with the means to donate to sustainable non-profits. The goal is to determine what makes a balanced life for you.

One trend that is popular is to develop a "portfolio career" that integrates different passions and interests with multiple jobs and income streams. Clients are thinking outside the box of the traditional model of having one full time job and having to put all of their "eggs in one basket". Many clients also have side hustles where they are able to explore their passions outside of their primary job.

Creating your professional narrative is essential, especially if you have been in one role, or one organization for multiple years. Consider all the important decisions that are made when you are not in the room - assignments, promotions, raises, etc. Create your professional brand story, so you influence what people are saying about you when you are not in the room to self-advocate. Putting your story out into the world helps others understand your value.

Threading in aspects of passions and interests is often time thought of as taboo. So many people try to keep their personal and work life separate. In addition previous careers can also be threaded into the new career. For example a nurse who has completed a Tech boot camp and struggles to integrate the two. The best way is to look for a career that combines their years of nursing experience into tech by having them look at Health Tech companies. These types of companies look for SME's and can help the transition into Tech. As for interests, if they are interested in tech but do not have the experience, once again focus on organizations that want SME's and are in Tech.

So important that we understand each part of our lives. It's like cake segments. Work one side and home on the other. Then assess the elements of both, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and activities that enhance your life. Is there balance, what needs to change and them choose the element causing the most pain. We are here just once and every day needs to have focus, relaxation and a bit of a plan.

I totally agree with this . Showcase your passions through different methods that highlight your work. This will help make your work become something you feel passionate and strongly about if you care about your job no matter what that is you will perform better. So by adding your own style by integrating your interests and personality you will feel more forfilled. For example if your an extravert use your outgoing personality to network and develop a database of contacts. Host events, join Chamber of Commerce, involve yourself by offering to help with marketing by joining panels and local community forums. If your a cleaner you may love organising , organise your job , your products , develop a structure with your interests.

In my experience I believe when you intergratr your passion hobbies to something you want to have a career. The push to be best comes from within. One doesn’t have to dragged themselves to college or work. Their passion is their work

To identify your interests, it's essential to discern whether you aim to cultivate that interest into a full-fledged career or prefer to maintain it as a hobby. Recognizing that not every interest naturally translates into a career path is crucial. Consider delving deeper into understanding your strengths. Assess whether your strengths align with your specific interest to determine if you possess the capabilities to pursue it professionally. This introspection will aid in making informed decisions about whether to nurture your interest as a professional endeavor or as a fulfilling hobby.

Guide your clients in seamlessly integrating passions into their careers! Research and pinpoint roles aligning with their interests. Assist in crafting a compelling personal brand, resume, and online presence to showcase their unique qualities. Prepare them for interviews and negotiations, providing insights on balancing passion with career aspects like income and growth. With these strategies, empower your clients to confidently pursue fulfilling and joyous work.

I search for evidence of creativity, passion, motivations, and positive transformative growth eg. What they learned from past traumas and difficulties in their lives that only their own unique wisdom can share creatively. For example coping short-cuts and strategies and then I invite the client to explore career opportunities which also match up skills the client now has… and may underestimate. Matching positions with these gems of wisdom and strengths may reveal aspirations we had previously overlooked!

Once simeone has discovered some career options, but before trying them out, I recommend using LinkedIn to connect with people in their network who are doing the kinds of jobs that sound interesting to them. They can request brief 15-20 minute info interviews and ask strategic questions to find out more of the day to day of what the role is like or insider knowledge about the specific employer. This helps them to make informed decisions about which direction(s) to focus on moving forward.

Perception is not always right. We only see the world through our own eyes and experiences. Others are going through challenging times just like you. Be kind with your thoughts and words.

From my experience I usually provide my clients with tools for their self-discovery to connect who they are with the things they develop professionally, and we make professional strategic plans to take steps towards their personal mission being totally related to their professional role.That what you do in your daily life has to do with who you are, it fills you and satisfies you. This discovery builds you as a person and takes you to the next step. A constructive experience in identifying yourself is to volunteer in foundations or associations that offer you this possibility. In addition to contributing to others, you transcend society and build a better world.

We possess an essential tool that can be accessed throughout our career lives. That tool is reflective practice. Encourage and support clients to regularly reflect on their work experiences, on the growth and development of their career lives, and on any changes they have experienced. Regular reflective practice helps us draw knowledge, perspective, and insights from our experiences of work, including developing interests, or discovered passions. Regular reflective practice helps us identify our unique capacities, skills, and expertise. It allows us to monitor and take note of their growth and expansion over the course of our career lives and to leverage this personal growth toward new opportunities.

Guiding clients into developing realistic action plans along with the steps necessary can allow clients to see the "bigger picture" or what steps are needed to obtain their goal - working on small goals that are attainable and continuing that development will help build skill sets both professionally and personally.

Some clients might have significant psychological barriers to reach their potential. Arranging work trials for them, whenever possible, might be way more efficient then verbal affirmations.

I see it all the time… the trap of setting realistic goals. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been guilty of that too but here’s what you need to realise… When you set realistic goals you put boundaries on the possibilities and you close yourself off from extraordinary opportunities. Don’t be afraid to dream big and to set big hairy audacious goals (BHAG)