If my Intelligence is so "Natural" - how come I need Career Guidance?

In my last blog I talked about Natural Intelligence and how it forms an integral part of our being from the time we were very small. I found that when a client discovered their natural intelligence in our sessions, they often said things like:

"I always knew this, but didn't know I knew it"

or

" I always had a sense of this, but never was able to put it into words"

or

" I knew I could sort of do this, but I thought it was no big deal, because I thought everyone else could do this too"

So if these gifts that we discover are such a natural part of ourselves, why do we need Career Guidance? Why can we just not access them ourselves?

I have found that it can be extremely difficult for people to identify natural skills and talents and apply them to their careers by themselves. It seems that this process is far easier, more enjoyable and successful if we seek the help of a qualified professional.

I have identified some recurring difficulties in identifying our own natural intelligence:

1. 
   
   The Intelligence we have uncovered does not fall within the realm of conventional intelligence so we don't recognise it as such


2. 
   
   It may have been an intelligence that we used very much when we were younger but were told that this is not a real intelligence - it would never lead to a "real" job


3. 
   
   It may form so much part of our personality that we never recognised our gift at all


4. 
   
   We may have had a sense of our gift, but never thought that it could be applied "in the real world"


5. 
   
   Some gifts are so subtle and fine, that it is almost impossible to grasp them or "pin them down" without some kind of objective observation.


6. 
   
   Each individual's gift is so unique that, for the most part, we cannot follow rigidly set down and traditional career paths.


7. 
   
   Discovering our natural gifts can mean uncovering deeper parts of ourselves. Many times it is reassuring to feel that someone can help us to navigate through this.

Career Guidance can then:

1. 
   
   Create a safe, objective environment to explore our natural potential


2. 
   
   Provide the structure to clarify and verbalise practically what these gifts are


3. 
   
   Reassure us that these findings are actually gifts and talents


4. 
   
   Explore how the uncovering of these gifts will influence other parts of our lives


5. 
   
   Introduce a broader context to allow us explore how these newly discovered gifts can be applied to our careers and ultimately to our lives.

Discovering Ourselves in the New Year

The New Year is a wonderful time to take stock of our lives and forge ahead into a new phase. It is always a very busy time in Career Guidance and I have worked with hundreds of people who want to "Make a Change" at this time. Clients initially feel that this involves changing something about themselves - getting rid of some aspect of themselves or acquiring a totally new aspect. This "change", they feel, will allow them to move forward in their lives in a new way.

However, again and again when working with clients, I have made a wonderful discovery - there is nothing to be added or nothing to be taken away. The aspects we need to live life to the fullest and to make the most consisitent and dramatic changes are already there and part of ourselves. We do not need to add or subtract anything ; we simply need to uncover and discover who we were all along.

As I work through the career process with clients, I witness them uncovering parts of themselves that they always suspected were there, but perhaps were never discovered or valued. This hidden potential or "Natural Intelligence" is so much part of ourselves that we take it for granted or, at times, do not even notice it.

To witness a client reconnecting with their true selves is an enormous privilege as a Career Guidance Counsellor. I see a face coming alive, vibrant with energy and colour. I see a person becoming animated and enthusiastic, perhaps for the first time in a long time. I hear them coming up with ideas that have lain dormant for a long time. Doubts begin to fall away and hope takes its place. I see someone discovering a part of themselves and, many times, also discovering the part they can play in their families, their communities and the world as a whole.

Nothing has been added or subtracted - I just see what was always there coming to the fore - the true person coming alive before my eyes.

Truly, this must be the best job in the world!