How have others experienced Loopbaancreatie? For an impression, read the stories of Will and Emily…

> It’s about knowing your passion… and doing something with it

> I realized that I already knew exactly what I wanted…

Will ::: It’s about knowing your passion… and doing something with it

Since leaving school at 18 I’ve worked for the same employer – on various projects and in different capacities – and that’s gone well for me. It’s a big organisation and in the last 6 years I’ve had a job I can get my teeth into: interesting problems to solve, a broad field of work, relative freedom, fun workmates and last but not least a good salary. The only downside is the amount of (unavoidable?) bureaucracy. ‘What more do you want?’ you might ask.

Still, I’ve kept asking myself fairly regularly (must be the phase of life I’m in): is this it? Do I want to carry on doing this for years to come? What is it, actually, that I’ve always wanted to do… where does my passion lie?

Despite a lot of self-contemplation and talking with the people around me, I never came much further. Just the same circular thought each time: I know what I have (= apparent security) so what’s the point in beginning anew – and what do I really want to do anyway?

On the advice of my manager, I looked for a careers coach who could help me out of the circle. Besides my “quest for passion”, I was also motivated by wanting to keep control over my own future (or rather – thanks to a major reorganisation taking place – regain it). After a number of sessions with Marianne, the result is… I’m there! In fact you do it yourself; you have to, of course. Yes, I had moments where I just couldn’t progress by myself, but Marianne was brilliant at coaching me through: stimulating me to think about things and get to know my inner self, and most of all to get on and do stuff. I realized there’s no need to suddenly change course in one go, so I decided to do things gradually. I’ve already started a part-time training in a new career and want to eventually start up my own business, running it alongside my existing work. If that works out, then I’ll cut down my hours with my employer. And if not, it’s no disaster. Career aside, it’s also really fun just as a hobby. And perhaps most importantly, it’s giving me new energy and that’s worth a lot.

Emily ::: I realized that I already knew exactly what I wanted…

I approached Loopbaancreatie after having already given up my job. I was crystal clear that I wanted something new. But what exactly was it? There were moments that I thought I knew for sure, but just as many full of doubt where I’d bring in all sorts of alternatives and then didn’t dare choose.

In a bid to free myself from my own mental patterns once and for all, to discover what I really wanted and then stick to my course, I had 5 sessions with Marianne. Remarkably, I found it all so clear during these consultatons – in fact I knew exactly what I wanted! That gave me a really pleasant sense of relief, and strength. The exercises we did before the talking certainly helped, too. They were fun to do and if I look back on it I think: yes, that’s right, that’s good.

So I felt in the mood when I went knocking at smart companies in the city, and here and there I was able to get an interview. All in all I was pretty quick to come by an organisation and job where all my current wants and priorities fall nicely together and where I start next week. I’m sure it would have taken longer and I would have looked with far less focus – and come across with less enthusiasm and conviction at interview – had I not followed the Coaching first.