In her bestseller aptly entitled “Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow”, Marsha Sinetar shares the following quote from a multinational corporation middle-aged executive:

“It’s too late. I’ve spent too many years doing exactly what was expected of me: being a good son, a good husband, a good father. In my company, I’m known as the “good soldier”. When I ask myself what I am about, I’d to say I don’t know anymore. I’ve tried for so long to fit in. I’ve held back for so long. I don’t know what or who I am”.

Many people are climbing or have climbed the proverbial ladder of success only to find out — paraphrasing Stephen Covey — that the said ladder is or was leaning against the wrong building. During all his career in Corporate America then at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Michel has dealt with, and advised technical staff and managers alike with questions such as: Should I change job? Should I quit my job? Should I accept this promotion in another Department or Division? Should I accept the offer from this company or that university? What is my best career path?

While there are many ramifications facets to these fundamental questions, there is one major Ariadne’s thread to follow: What do I really, really, really love to do?

“Choose a job you like and you will never have to work another day of your life.” (Confucius)

“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is true for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you will know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” (Steve Jobs – Stanford University commencement address 2005)

From ancient China to high-tech America, the wisdom is timeless and universal: to do what we really, really, really love to do.

Of course, besides these existential questions, there are many more that can surface in the course of a career, to name a few: How to deal with an insecure supervisor? How to manage poorly performing subordinates? How to work with uncooperative colleagues?

Michel offers a wealth of real-world, practical experience to navigate these white waters.

Career counseling fees: $190/hour for people having less than five years experience. Inquire for more senior positions.