Paula Caligiuri advocates a multi-pronged approach to career. Image courtesy of Barnes & Noble
Having several careers used to connote a “lack of focus," but now it's the key to continued job happiness, success and security. This from Paula Caligiuri, author of Get a Life Not a Job, a recent guest of mine on Making a Living, on Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius/XM.
Advocating a multiple “career act” approach, Paula says that it’s smart to have several interesting, income-generating activities make up your career strategy. It keeps you from putting all your eggs in one employer basket.
In today’s world of rapid change where companies & industries grow and shrink at light speed, Paula says it diversifies your risk not to rely on one source of income.
But how do you create a great career act?
- Expand a hobby into a career. A radio listener recently called in to tell me he started a weekend bakery business in addition to his day job as an X-Ray technician. Friends and family begged him for years to start selling his fabulous cookies, cakes and pastries so now he’s got built-in clientele to kick things off.
- Leverage your existing expertise in new ways. My client Tara, a graphic designer with her own stationery business decided to take a recruiting job a prestigious art school. She plans to teach graphic design once onboard as well to expand her career acts.
- Develop passive income streams. Paula decided a few years ago to license a corporate training tool she developed. Knowing her expertise wasn’t in sales, Paula made more money (without spending more time) allowing someone else to sell the tool. Now she has a great source of passive income.
While I was skeptical at first, Get a Life Not a Job really does offer a clear approach to having multiple career acts as well as passive income, all while having a life. We spend 45 years of our life working, isn’t it time you had a life not just a job?
Maggie Mistal is a certified career & life purpose coach and the host of "Making a Living with Maggie," which airs every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius 112, XM 157. Please visit her website at MaggieMistal.com.
From: Morgan @ Life After Bagels | 7/6/10 at 8:16 am
I absolutely love this post . . . even thinking of buying the book, and I rarely buy books! But of course I'll try the library first.
From: Mina | 7/6/10 at 12:39 pm
Definitely looking for this one on my next trip to the library. I've always hating putting all my eggs in one basket company wise, especially since I just saw both my parents get laid off from companies they had spent decades working for.
From: Maggie Mistal | 7/12/10 at 11:02 pm
Love that you are both walking the talk and heading to the library first! Let me know what you think of the book ladies. Hope it sparks some great career insights in how to have a great career that fits a great life.
From: Paula Caligiuri | 7/19/10 at 4:57 pm
Thanks Maggie! I appreciate the kind words about "Get a Life, Not a Job" and the help in getting the word out about the new employment reality. As you know, I share your desire to help everyone enjoy job security and career fulfillment. Your radio show is a gift -- thanks again for the opportunity. Paula
From: Lamont Bradburn | 7/26/10 at 12:36 pm
It's such a terrific resource that you are offering and you give it away absolutely free. I appreciate discovering blogs that recognize the value of supplying a useful resource for no cost. I honestly loved reading through your article
Many thanks!
From: Robin M | 7/31/10 at 2:29 pm
I use to enjoy listening to you in my company car...no more company…no more car…no more Maggie on the radio. Now I follow your tweets and it is great to have a coach like you! 2nd lay off in 2 years and that is ok. From the first lay off I learned that I will be ok and my self worth as an employee will survive.
Thank you!