The Most Recession Proof Career

The following is a guest blog from Nancy Anderson, a career and life consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area…

The most recession proof career is the work you love so much you would do it even if you did not get paid for it. But it may not have occurred to you that people will pay for what you do easily and well. In fact, you probably take your strengths for granted, thinking everyone can do what is natural for you. So you don’t target the clients or customers who need your strengths to solve their problems.

Problems in business and life are rooted in too much or not enough growth. The enterprise or individual attempts to be all things to all people and fails, or the need is to expand to remain viable. In the career and life, the first step to success is to focus on what works, and to eliminate what no longer works.

Change for the better can be uncomfortable, but getting rid of what is obsolete sets the stage for new and better ways to serve customers. Similarly, for you to reach your full potential begin by streamlining your life. Give or throw away everything that has outlived its usefulness, keeping only what you use and love.

Next, take a hard look at your relationships to see who is draining creative energy, including some of your family members. Set boundaries with these people so that you can concentrate on finding the right niche in work. Expose yourself to people who have taken the risks you are taking, since they understand what you are trying to accomplish. Meanwhile, exercise regularly, pray or meditate to stay centered, eat and drink moderately.

Next, write your life story, beginning with your grandparents’ beliefs about money and work, then your parents’ stories, and then your story. As you write, notice the choices you repeated without being aware that you were on automatic pilot. These are the times when you ignored your feelings, or you followed others’ lead. Make note of the choices that always turned out well, since this was when you trusted your instincts. These choices are the key to your passion.

Now that you know what works and what never works for you, meet with people to determine if they have the problems you can and love to solve. If you can help them achieve their goals, offer a solution that includes your services or product.

If you have accurately identified the needs of your ideal client or customer and what you offer meets their needs, these are the people who will come to you regardless of what is going on with the economy; and they will refer others to you.

The journey to a recession proof career is neither quick nor easy; setbacks and delays are normal, so don’t get discouraged when the process takes longer than you expect. Focus your attention on getting better and better at solving the problems that fascinate you, since expertise and passion lead to your ultimate destination: being paid to do what comes naturally, in your own way and at your own pace.

Nancy Anderson is a career and life consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the author of the best selling career guide, Work with Passion. Her new book, Work with Passion in Midlife and Beyond is available in online and retail bookstores. Her website is workwithpassion.com.