During our first call, he communicated a depth of understanding and compassion that none of the other coaches did. With Joel’s guidance I overcame a lot of internal doubt and fear to find my dream job. I am now applying to school to get a Bachelor in Fine Arts for Interior Architecture and Design. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to lead me through the career discovery process.

Kim Proctor

Remember the movie Pleasantville in which the residents of that town lived in black and white? We all, in some way, live in a black-and-white world – a world without color. Color can mean many things — the hues of the rainbow, as well as a person’s aura, how people express their true nature.

Often, people don’t reveal the fullness of their gifts and who they are. This can occur because people identify themselves by the roles they play in life, for example their job title, rather than expressing every dimension of themselves.

Midlife career changes can reveal the colorful palate of life by allowing you to see through new eyes.
 

 
Without being aware of it, you may be living in a black and white world and you are missing out. Imagine if you couldn’t see the colors surrounding you — a beautiful red rose, the face of your partner, the art you create as an artist or see at an exhibit, the rainbow that gently rises after rain and, most importantly, the gifts you have to give to others. You may be missing a lot of beauty in your own life.

Midlife career changes not only expose you to new jobs, but to new experiences.

The wonderful essence of color shines when you are able to express your true gifts in new ways. All of this is gone when you live in a black and white world – one that lacks passion and meaning. This Grey world is a reality today for most of us!

Here is a quiz to see if you live in this black and white world. If you answer TRUE to more than five, it’s time to bring more color into your life:

1. I say yes to others before saying yes to myself.
2. I avoid doing things that are scary for me.
3. I live a life based on what others want for me.
4. I do what my family and society want for me.
5. I focus more on what I know how to do, than on what works best for me.
6. I am influenced by what others are doing around me.
7. I avoid taking risks.
8. I value my efficiency more than my creativity.
9. I don’t use my heart, soul and mind when making decisions.
10. I play it safe with anything that is out of my comfort zone.

How do you change from a black-and-white world to a world of color? A world in which you know what makes up your true rainbow of expression? You have color in your life when:

• You are clear on what you are passionately interested in.
• You are fully expressing your gifts.
• You have embraced who you are.
• You know what you want to do, and you are actualizing this purpose.
• You look forward to your daily activities.
• You live a life in which possibilities are constantly coming your way.
• You live life to the fullest.

If you aren’t capable of achieving this in your current job or career path, it may be time for a change.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

Thanks to midlife career changes, you can reach out and gain those newer and richer experiences.