The gift of guidance

How could you help someone you know and love acquire a more clear sense of direction? Have you ever thought about that?

Are you looking for a way to help your son or daughter, your grandson or granddaughter, get off to a good start? Or, are you trying to simply support and encourage a friend during a time of vocational transition? Perhaps you also want to communicate that you care and want to be involved in their life.

Helping someone you love clarify their career and life direction could make a big difference. Your initiative now may benefit them in many ways down the road. But it isn’t always easy to know how go about it. And the whole process can become awkward. Soon the relationship feels strained.

Guidance that is appropriate for one person may not be as fitting for another

We have all been there before. Offering guidance and advice can be a very sensitive issue. One problem, is that the person you are genuinely trying to help might get the impression that you are disrespecting their personal boundaries in the process. Not good. Rather than drawing you closer together, your attempt to help may actually push you apart. This results in a lose-lose situation. Clear communication is required in order for this to be avoided.

It is a good rule of thumb to always ask before offering? Get their input. Find out what type of assistance or involvement they would appreciate at this time. As children develop into adults, it is a good idea to increasingly do more and more asking and less and less telling. Look for a form a guidance you feel might be beneficial to them, and then ask if they are interested. Always ask.

Asking implies accepting the answer.

Even better, get to know your friend or relative. Spend time with them. And listen carefully to that they say. Encourage them to identify what they need and to communicate freely. It works best if they can take the initiative and ask you for your input or involvement. This way, they won’t feel like you are barging into their life and offering them advice they didn’t ask for and don’t need.

Acquiring a sense of direction can take time. And guidance that is appropriate for one person may not be as fitting for another. Some people need time to wander in the career and life direction wilderness for a while in order to figure things out on their own. But others likely would have benefited if more encouragement and support had been provided early on.

You will need wisdom to know when to step back and wait, and when to step up and offer to help.

Just so you know, it is possible to purchase the career planning and consulting services offered here at Career & Life Direction on behalf of another person. And here is one way of going about it:

1. Tell your friend or family member about these services.

2. Communicate what you would be happy to purchase for them – if they are interested.

3. If they are interested in exploring this online service, ask for their email address.

4. Go to the “Contact Information” page. Enter your name and email address. Communicate briefly what you would like to purchase on behalf of another person. Please include their name and email address in your note. Click “Send” at the bottom of the page.

5. Finally, go to the “Career planning and consulting” page and make your purchase.

6. Your friend or family member will then be registered in the TypeFocus program and soon receive an email telling them how to get started.

I hope that this service will help you help others.