Lifestyle Pathing vs. Career Pathing

I was on a path. Progressive responsibility, bigger paycheck, better title, greater sense of accomplishment. Throw in a husband, two kids, and a dog, and my “having it all” picture was complete. But what was “all” exactly and did I have it? I had been conditioned to believe that staying on this path was how to be happy, successful, and fulfilled. It took a global pandemic for me to ask, “What kind of life do I really want to live?”

Lifestyle Pathing

Through an intensive visioning exercise, I reimagined my life, explored the finite resource called time, and drilled into where I spend most of my waking hours: work. I thought about what brings me joy and meaning, and what I need to bring the work-life equation into balance. I also realized that all these years I had been career pathing and what I really need to do is lifestyle pathing.

“Lifestyle pathing considers the whole person and requires a career that meets personal, professional, and financial aspirations.” Jen Berton, CPC, Founder

Today, I’m on a new path. I designed the path conscientiously, by listening to my head and heart, and by doing the necessary introspective work. The power is in knowing that there are many paths, and I can change my path as my life’s needs change. It’s just up to me to look down, around, and ahead to make sure it’s the path I want to be on.

Approach

I take learnings from my personal journey and apply it to how I coach and advise clients. I consider the whole person, encourage introspection, listen to what their head and heart are saying, and invite a conversation about what could be. Sometimes the first step to change and reinvention is having the space and grace to say it out loud.

What path are you on?