...but are all your wonderful execuses taking you where you want to go?  We all make excuses and procrastinate, but especially when it comes to the BIG things, like our careers, excuses don't serve us in any good way. 

I've come across this with just about everyone; a recent example is classic.  Someone with about 20-25 years of working life left potentially; has been working, happily, in a specific professional for seven years.  However, he is "searching" for a career and considering all options, even complete opposite ones in a desparate attempt to make a "move".  

I won't name the profession he's in - it doesn't matter.  I said that it was obvious to me that this WAS his career right now -  he did indeed have one.  The training to become certified would take under two years.  To him that seemed long and to me, short - it's all relative.  He has avoided the commitment to certify for fear of being tied down, closing his options, and the problems he would face (but hasn't yet)....all problems that exist in any other career, by the way. 

Fear has a way of talking us out of things, making it seem like every unknown is like jumping into deep, dark water.  When I pointed out the long list of certification benefits, it made the potential issues (the ones he made up in his head out of fear and haven't happened) seem minor by comparison.  When I used language like, try one course at a time, it seemed easier for him to consider. Once the light bulb went off and he had the "ah ha!" look, I said very little more.  It's up to him.  What better time to go forward than heading into a new year.  Happy 2011!