When Careers Advice Goes Woo Woo

Let crystals, the moon, potions and petals be your guide to finding work that you love.

Now I’m not one to stick to the norm. I don’t like to call myself a Careers Advisor because the name itself brings to mind dingy offices, brown suits and no imagination. When I was in college, Careers Advisors focused on what we could do with the subjects we were taking and associated grades. It was never about finding work you love and it was very serious and formal.

Whilst this is absolutely the opposite of how I work, the fact of the matter is, I am a Careers Advisor/Coach/Consultant, but that doesn't mean I can’t also be myself, and ‘myself’ comes with a dose of crystal healing, moon cycle tracking, aromatherapy enthusiasm. Maybe this is a backlash to the dry advice I received early in my career.

I do know ‘my stuff’

Now before you write me off as crazy, know that I do know my stuff. I’ve been working in Careers for 12 years now and I run a successful business. Among my clients are senior government advisors, a well known journalist, a millionaire personal development guru and an astronaut (I’m particularly proud of this one, so just wanted to drop it in somewhere). I’ve helped clients get jobs at Amazon, SAP, Google, Deutsch Bank and for the UN. I know what I’m doing and I’m very professional.

While I’m doing this work, to keep my self focused and on track in my business and my life, I surround myself with crystals, I track the moon cycles and I am obsessed with Ayurveda. You’ll catch me taking yoga breaks and my desk is lit up with candles with scents to suit the tasks at hand. I believe strongly that these ‘woo woo’ additions are as useful to your career planning as my ‘professional’ advice.

Let me elaborate.

Crystals for motivation

Different crystals have different properties. If you are into crystal healing you will know that crystal energies can be tapped into to help you with certain problems, to create moods and to calm and protect against negative energy. I use crystals daily depending on what I’m hoping to achieve. If I am stressed with work and need to create some calm, I will position calming blue crystals around such as Larimor or Caribbean Calcite. On days where I need to get into the zone, I opt for Carnelian, Apatite or Red Jasper.

Moon cycles

Just like the tides are effected by the moons cycles, we humans are made from 80% water, so we are also influenced by her pull. Different parts of the moon cycle are associated with different energies. Even if you don’t feel it and it’s just symbolic, using the moons stages to help you maintain focus and vigor is a powerful motivator.

A new moon is seen as a new beginning. It’s a time to set your intentions for the month ahead. Get clear on what you want to achieve, how you are going to get there and what you need in order to do so. In contrast, the full moon is a time for reflection. It’s great for looking at what you’ve achieved, what worked for you, and letting go of anything that no longer serves you.

Aromatherapy

Pretty smelling scents may not seem to have much to do with your career and your work. Granted, making your office smell of lemongrass and bergamot isn’t going to get you that promotion, but it can greatly enhance your mood. Burning lavender the night before a big interview can help you sleep and the scent of rosemary is proven to enhance memory. Nutmeg can do wonders for firing you up and getting you motivated. Like crystals, using essential oils can impact your mood, your flow and your confidence. (They also smell divine so it’s win win).

Yoga and meditation

Sometimes you need to step away to really know what it is that you want. We get so caught up in what we should be doing, what needs to be done and deadlines that we can easily forget why we are actually doing it. Where are we headed? What’s the goal?

Yoga and meditation are invaluable for grounding and discovery. Taking the time out to be quiet and reflective in itself is hugely beneficial, but using the time to relax through yoga and to meditate on questions you need answered is very powerful. If you can distinguish what you truly want and what makes you happy, the rest will flow more easily.

Ayurveda

This ancient Indian healing practice is far too complex to delve into here in detail, but understanding your dosa (a little like a personality type) is the key to understanding what drives you, what derails you and what lights you up. Knowing this means you can make sure you are engaging in the right activities, eating the right foods and surrounding yourself with the things that keep you aligned and balanced. This includes what you do for a career and your working practices.

Take Home

Whatever you’re into, progressing in your career and finding work you love isn’t simply about the practical goal setting, ladder climbing steps. Finding what you love is a process and often involves taking time out and tapping into your intuition. I believe everyone needs a bit of ‘woo’ in their career and work life. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

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