Career Flow:Constructing Careers in the New

Economy

Presented by: Dr. Norm Amundson amundson@interchange.ubc.ca &

Dr. Roberta Neault info@lifestrategies.ca

Agenda The Inspiration The Metaphor The Model The Competencies

Hope Self-Reflection Self-Clarity Visioning Goal-Setting and Planning Implementing and Adapting

The Book

The Inspiration Positive Psychology

e.g., Seligman, 2002 Optimal Experience

“the way that people describe their state of mind when

consciousness is harmoniously ordered, and they want to pursue

whatever they are doing for its own sake.” ~Csikszentmihalyi, 1990; p. 6

FLOW

Low SKILLS/RESOURCES High

High C

HAL

L

ENGES

Anxiety

Arousal FLOW

Worry

ApathyBoredom

Relaxation

Control

Adapted from Csikszentmihalyi’s (1997) Finding Flow

Optimal “Flow”This involves participating in activities

that: Completely capture our attention Reflect our values and call upon our strengths Allow us to feel as though we can express who

we are Engage us in appropriately challenging tasks

6

Career Flow Experiences Focus on a career flow experience

Be concrete Imagine all the different aspects

7

Examine Your Career Flow Experience

What were you doing at the time? Was your involvement self-initiated? Who were you with? What was the setting? What values were you expressing? What skills were you using? What interests were you manifesting? How did it feel?

8

Optimal Career Flow Identify

When it occurs Skills you are using Values you are expressing Interests you are manifesting

Note Tasks you are performing Environment in which it is occurring Your reaction to it

Keep an optimal career flow log

The “Career Flow” Metaphor Steady flow White water Waterfalls Still water Stagnant water Flow interrupted…

10

“Whitewater,” “Steady Flow,” or “Still Water” Flow Experiences

What were you doing at the time? Were there other people involved? What was the setting? What skills were you using? What, if anything, could have made this

experience more positive? How did it feel?

11

Career Flow - Stillwater Reflect Remember Re-imagine Use

Meditation Journaling Career counselling / Guided imagery

Brainstorm possibilities - be creative!

12

“Waterfalls” or “Stagnant” Flow Experiences What were you doing at the time? What was the setting? What was missing? What, if anything, could have

made the experience more positive? How did it feel? How did you get out if it?

Career Flow - Whitewater Communicate Connect with resources Complete most important/doable tasks

first Use

Stress management Time management Self-care activities

Maintain a sense of perspective

14

Career Flow - Stagnant Water

Be Aware Proactive Intentional Bold!

Use Self-awareness / Assertiveness Networking / Job search strategies Problem-solving skills

Take action!

EnvironmentEnvironment EnvironmentEnvironment

EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironment

Career Flow Competencies

Career Flow Competencies Hope at the centre Self-reflection and self-clarity

The Wheel as a framework Goal setting and planning

Career exploration and research Implementing

Resumes, cover letters, portfolios Generating leads Interviewing

Adapting Flow interrupted / White water / Still water

Career Flow: The BookSpencer G. Niles, Norman E. Amundson, Roberta A. Neault

1. Introducing Career Flow2. Essential Career Flow

Competencies3. Pursuing Your Interests

(Passions)4. Mapping Your Skills5. Personality Style6. Understanding Values7. Connecting With Others:

Social, Emotional, and Financial Support

8. Optimal Career Flow / Setting Goals9. Connecting to the World of Work10. Turning Possibilities into Realities11. Engaging the Search12. Career Flow Interrupted - Realizing

Your Dreams in Challenging Times13. Whitewater and Stillwater14. Expanding the Career Flow

Metaphor Career as a journey Your life as a book Your legacy

©2011 Pearson Education Inc, Boston, MA

Career FlowFor information about the book,

contact:Norm Amundson

amundson@interchange.ubc.ca www.ergoncommunications.com

Roberta Neaultinfo@lifestrategies.ca / www.lifestrategies.ca