Human Development Coaching

Hi there, it's Peter Guess here. Thanks for visiting. So this interests you, does it? This process and the tools here will REALLY HELP! If you need a chat or video call, just Skype Me, by clicking the icon below (if I am online). I would love to assist you and coach you through a process. This is a FREE service from Skype. If you don't have a Skype number, you can register in a few easy steps by clicking on this icon.

The first hour or so, is my FREE complementary session to you. Just try it out and see. I've been doing this work for years now. First with myself, as I have gone through many career and job transitions. Then I started to do coaching through small groups and with individuals. I have a particular passion to accelerate YOUR change... So try it and expect a little MAGIC!

 Are you:

• Wanting clarity on possible career options?
• Finishing your studies and looking for direction?
• Wanting to make a career change? (That's a good idea!) 

 Any "YES" indicates this is the site to use for ideas, a step-by-step process, links to brilliant resources on the web and tools to move you forward... And I will be a coach if you need me. More about that later. Let's start.

"Who am I?"

Firstly, all solid career (and job) seeking begins with: "Know thyself". So the initial steps will facilitate you through a thorough and systematic process towards this objective. Later the process helps you answer the questions, "Where do I want to go?" and then "How do I get there?". My approach has mainly been influenced by Richard Boles* who taught me that the career process begins within, not by looking at what's on the menu in the market place.

Here is an overview of the basic steps to cover. More detail follows.

• Step 1: Write down "My Story"
• Step 2: Read about the NEDAR self-coaching process
• Step 3: Begin to use the NEDAR Toolbox  
• Step 4: Overview the basic Assessment Tools
• Step 5: Summarise the information and Update your NEDAR Toolbox
• Step 6: Develop your Activation Plan (in the NEDAR Toolbox)
• Step 7: Key Resources for further Career Exploration

Step 1: Write down "My Story"

• Simply start now and jot down some background about yourself. Start anywhere. It's easy to start with the fun and positive things, so list what you have really enjoyed doing e.g. reading fiction, working with a small group on a project. I am helping you to start writing a career journal - a working document which will help you explore many factors important to your career (and your life)! Later on we will transfer key information into your NEDAR Toolbox, as a printout or a spreadsheet (on Excel).  
• Next list a few reasons as to why you want this career coaching now and what do you hope to get out of this process. These answers help set you objectives and clarify the pushing and pulling factors. What is pulling you forward (e.g. a dream to fly helicopters, a new job offer)? What is pushing you away from where you are now (e.g. frustration in my current job, poor pay)?
• Write down a list of at least 7 key achievements or highpoints in your life (school, university, work, community) that you really enjoyed. You need to start digging for your strengths and "raw talent" - both obvious and latent. Why focus on achievements at this point? Simply because you are unique and your uniqueness is your greatest asset in finding the best career and job. Keeping your achievements constantly in mind, you affirm yourself and acknowledge past success (refer. John Kehoe, Mind Power). 
• Now you need to update or start your CV (NB: This CV is a detailed resume of your education - detailing competencies set, knowledge, job experience, personal positive attitudes, awards. You can include point 3 in your CV as you will customise your CV for every job application.) If you need more help with your CV I provide coaching at a fee. Please email me here to enquire: icafepeter@tiscali.co.za
• Once done reward yourself as this takes a lot of energy and focus, but lays the foundation for the next steps. Well done if you have completed this step!

Step 2: Read about the NEDAR self-coaching process

Please down load and read my original short article on NEDAR called I'm Changing My Life Now (PDF/ Acrobat file). This started out as the introduction to my book, which is still in progress. The acronym NEDAR comes from the key words in the 5 phases of the process:  

N=Need; E=Envision; D=Desire; A=Activate: and R=Recycle.

Let's look at the NEDAR process, more closely, as a general way to do career and life coaching. Here is a diagram of the process:

Phase 1. Explore your Need

Guidelines:

•         Identify & clarify your need by:

1.      Open discussion with someone in confidence.

2.      Writing your story around your need and why you have this need now. Your journal will come in handy here.

Phase 2. Envision the future

Guidelines:

•         Describe your picture of the future (vision) by:

1.      Open discussion with someone in confidence.

2.      Writing it down in your journal.

3.      Using a creative process such as a collage, painting or clay sculpture.

•         Allow yourself the time to “grow” your vision. Do it in little steps. Practice dream-thinking. Remember your childhood dreams?

Phase 3. Nurture your Desire to change

Guidelines:

•         Write your vision on your computer for regular review.

•         Put your creative art work of your vision, in very visible places in your home and/or at work

•         Write a simple affirmation that supports your vision.

Example: Vision = a great new career  Affirmation = "I’m creating an amazing new job"

Phase 4. Activate

Guidelines:

•         List each of the goals, steps, actions and resources you need to make your vision a reality

•         Turn this into a step-by-step action plan

•         Use the above to move you systematically towards your vision

Phase 5. Recycle

Guidelines:

•      Evaluate how you did and record your lessons.

•      Identify a new need and use the process again and again.

•      You will now begin to master the skills by applying them to more needs and situations.  Master the process and tools because these are a set of Life Skills! Invaluable. 

Step 3: Begin to use the NEDAR Toolbox

Click here to open and/or save the Toolbox as a free download (PS: When you use it please give me feedback on icafepeter@tiscali.co.za to improve it for other users).

NEDAR Toolbox 

Use the Toolbox to collect, store and digest information. You can also use it to track your progress and ensure you "plan your work and work your plan". The next key step, which should be recorded as an action in your Activation Plan - in the Toolbox, will be to use various assessment tools to identify your career preferences, your personality dynamics and resulting actions. Remember our starting slogan: "Know thyself". We are still busy with this discovery process. Great progress till here, even if you are just scanning this to prepare for action. Now we really get into explorer mode in step 4! The adventure continues.

Step 4: Overview the basic Assessment Tools (NB: More tools in Step 7 below.)

The first assessment tool I use for it’s simplicity and amazing usefulness is the Holland Types, developed by John Holland. This tool is being used globally in universities and elsewhere to identify career preferences and “career-personality” types from a list of six basic types. What’s the big deal? It’s usefulness lies in the fact that it helps you identify your top three preferences, which then become your Holland Code. This code is used to search on the web for career options, study fields and major subjects, using extensive occupational directories. And you get as much detail you need. Now that is amazing!

Here is the Career Zone – all the way from New York – and it’s free with lots of goodies:

http://www.nycareerzone.org/graphic/index.jsp

1. Click on the “Assess yourself” button, and do the assessment. 
2. Click “View Jobs”. The web tool uses the three-letter code to show you a short-list of careers and jobs and alternatives from combinations of your code.
3. Select the careers or jobs that interest you and click on the links for more information. This is a process of synthesising information, crucial to your discovery process, so don’t try a quick fix! You need time. You deserve it!

Try out the other features on Career Zone like the free "My Portfolio" and the link to a comprehensive assessment: O*NET Interest Profiler.

Step 5: Summarise the information and Update your NEDAR Toolbox

Step 6: Develop your Activation Plan (in the NEDAR Toolbox)

1. Set specific goals for the discoveries you have made about the future career options you are facing.
2. Identify the practical steps and actions you need to take, for each goal.
3. Identify dates and time-lines for the steps and actions.

Step 7: Key Resources for further Career Exploration

A. Richard Boles, What Color is your Parachute , 2006 (Note: updated almost yearly since first publication in 1970. Amazing track record. It worked for me! I'm sure it will for you. You can also subscribe to here to a Free Motivation ezine from the above site).

B. Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Now, Discover Your Strengths, 2001 (Note: an approach that emphasises that you identify your top 5 strengths and focus on these in your career and self-development, rather than focusing on your deficiencies. The best ROI - return on investment - of your time, energy and money comes from harnessing your strengths.)

C. John Kehoe, Mind Power - Into the 21st Century, 1997 (Note: This resource will help you train your mind while you do the other practical career "play". View it as PLAY rather than work!).

2. Some key internet resources: 

A.    Career Development eManual

This eManual is both simple to use and very practical. Developed by the University of Waterloo, it is free online. You can also download most of the key worksheets for free in PDF format. Here is a “screen dump” on the right, showing a sample of Step one, in their process.  The menu is on the left hand side of the webpage. (ref. http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/step1.asp )

B.    Jungian types

Understanding your Jungian types, helps you to go a little deeper, confirm and add to your career exploration. Are you more introverted or extroverted? More thinking or feeling orientated? Do you use mainly your intuition or senses to gather your information? Your Jung types, as profiled on the following websites, help you understand these and other unique combination of preferences and their implications on your career and personal development.    

·        Monster site (ref. http://tools.monster.com/perfectcareer/ )

·        Similarminds site (ref. http://www.similarminds.com/ )

Thanks for visiting. This process and the tools here will REALLY HELP! If you need a chat or video call, just Skype Me, by clicking the icon below (if I am online). I would love to assist you and coach you through a process. This is a FREE service from Skype. If you don't have a Skype number, you can register in a few easy steps by clicking on this icon.

The first hour or so, is my FREE complementary session to you. Just try it out and see.

To your success,

Peter Guess

Human Development Consultant & Coach