Thankfully the majority of my clients have a pretty clear idea of what they’d like to do or in what area they’d like to improve personally or professionally.  There are, however, those who have come to me with a greater sense of dissatisfaction and a sense of lost hope about their future.  I may need to refer them to therapy or coach them in addition to therapeutic support.  They may be someone who “followed the leader” and learned a skill or trade that was handed down to them, but it was never really their dream.  They don’t dare dream, because they’ve lost a belief in their power to create it.  These individuals have a crisis of confidence.

Not only do they feel dissatisfied with their life, but they didn’t learn how to recognize their own ability to make changes.  They’ve become good at adapting to people and situations.  They get by, but they don’t thrive.

I’m reminded of a speech by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 when he talked about his view on the main problem threatening our American society.  He said, “The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation.”  He called it a symptom of our spirit and he said, “The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America.”  He called on us to have faith.

I agree that you have to have a fundamental belief in things working out and in your own capability to create change, even in dire circumstances, even if you don’t have the resources immediately available.  You must believe you can find them. 

You can talk with others; you can ask for resources.  You can get referrals and listen to these trusted experts, leaders and others with proven experience in your areas of need.  But even if you don’t know what you want to change, then you have to seek those who can help you find out.  Libraries can let you access the Internet for free and their assistants will help you look up these resources online.  Many companies also often offer confidential career and personal support services for their employees. 

Finances should never be a  problem, as there are always mentorships and scholarship services that support women entrepreneurs and small business owners, including those just getting started.  Even as a coach, if new clients have a sincere willingness to change, I’ve worked out financial arrangements with them.  

But you must start with the fundamental belief in yourself and your right to a satisfying life.  We’re all equal in that regard and no situation, no matter how ugly or painful from the past, can deny you moving forward if you have the willingness to achieve and exel and shift your dissatisfaction to a confident attitude about your life.

Tags: career change, crisis of confidence, hope for the future, Personal and Professional Growth

This entry was posted on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 7:42 pm and is filed under Inspirational, Personal and Professional Growth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.