Posted by Maggie Mistal
Every other week, Maggie Mistal, our radio channel's career consultant AND host of "Making a Living," will answer all your burning job and career related questions! To ask Maggie a question, email her at coaching@maggiemistal.com or ask your question in the comments section below. Also, tune in to her show, today at 4:00 pm ET on Sirius 112 and XM 157.
Dear Maggie,
I have a friend who is absolutely miserable at his current job. He constantly complains about the hours, his boss, his line of work-- everything! However, he hasn't made any plans to change his work situation-- and I think he really should. How can I encourage my friend to make some changes in his life without sounding pushy? Are there any resources I can direct him to so that he can figure out what he would be happier doing?
Friend of Joe's
Its great that you care enough about your friend Joe to want to help. I find however that people need to be ready, willing and able to make a career change in order for it to take hold. Otherwise, your "help" may not be much appreciated or effective -- and next thing you know you'll both be complaining.
Ultimately its Joe's responsibility to take control of his career and no amount of prodding from you will make him change. What I suggest is asking Joe if he'd like help with his career or if he'd just prefer to vent. Tell him that as his friend, it's hard for you to see him so unhappy and that you'd like to help if he's open to it. I've found that just offering is enough of a "wake-up call" for many people to stop complaining and start doing something to fix their work situations. For me, I complained for a full two years before I finally left my consulting career to pursue coaching. No one prodded me or pushed me but my now-husband did put my initials in the corner of a career book next to the chapter on complaining. Until that point, I didn't even realize I had become so unbearable to be around. Joe probably doesn't realize it either. Be a friend and offer help but let Joe take charge of his career in his own time. If any of you reading this are thinking you have a lot in common with Joe, watch my video on How to Know When to Quit Your Job and join me on Making a Living today at 4 pm EST to get the help you need to move your career forward.
Photo courtesy of Jamie Atlas.
