Career Planning for Gifted Adults

"James is so restless and energetic. I wonder if he's hyperactive."

"Nancy seems to be all over the place. She's got a dozen projects going at once!"

"Harley does things so fast! He put up a website in two weeks."

"Marlene is so intense. She needs to lighten up."

While it's possible that James is hyperactive, Nancy is scattered, Harley skates on thin ice and Marlene is depressed, it's also possible that each of these people wears the label, "gifted adult," often unaware.

Gifted children often lose interest in school because they're bored. They don't always get top grades because they think in unconventional patterns.

Gifted adults can be misunderstood. Those who read books like Jacobsen's The Gifted Adult often feel relieved: "Finally, someone understands where I'm coming from!"

Gifted adults often face unique career challenges. Job environments rarely reward creativity, a hallmark of the gifted, and frequently punish anyone who threatens to color outside the lines. Corporations often resemble football games, where players are rewarded for being in position to receive the ball everyone wins by executing the coach's play. Gifted people function better when their game resembles playground basketball, where you can scramble and make plays as you go.

And when gifted adults seek career guidance, they must filter feedback they receive from friends and consultants who are not familiar with their situation.

* "Whoa! You're trying to be a jack-of-all trades and you'll end up a master of none."

* "Wow! I've never seen anyone move as fast as you do. I'm sure you're going to be a success."

* "You're going too fast! Slow down or you'll fail."

* "Focus on one thing at a time."

* "Boy, you're catching on fast! You must be well-suited to this field."

If you're gifted, you probably already have some idea that you're "different." Read a few books and articles. Browse websites. Understanding how you operate can help you avoid, "Why is this happening" questions and reach success on your own terms.

I offer one-to-one consultations on career strategy.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

---

It Takes Time

The story goes that after one of Ludwig van Beethoven's... Read More

How To Find A Job As A Copy Editor

Jobs for copy editors may seem like they are hard... Read More

How to Make More Job Contacts Faster, through Viral Marketing

Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte... Read More

Doing What You Love

What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More

Job Search -- One of the Secrets of a Trade Show

A trade show is a great place to network, look... Read More

When Should You Update Your Job Skills?

With the U.S. economy still slumping and unemployment numbers barely... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Believing The Myths!

If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More

Career Advice On Freelance Writing Jobs

Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no... Read More

Consultants - If We Cant Laugh At Ourselves?

There are hundreds of varieties of Consultants these days. We... Read More

War Time Hiring: 5 Steps to Attract Top Talent

A recent report, titled "The War for Talent" stated that... Read More

Preparation is Key

Interviewing for a new job, or a promotion, can be... Read More

The Background on Background Checks

In one of my past lives I held a Top... Read More

10 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Job Fairs

Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can... Read More

Have You Been Fired? Laid Off? No? You Will Be!

It's true. Things have changed. You need to know the... Read More

Dress For Success

You have heard the phrase, "Dress for Success." This is... Read More

A Career in Image Consulting

You might have seen them while watching TV shows such... Read More

Hey, You Cant Ask Me That! (How to Respond to Inappropriate Job Interview Questions)

I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More

Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer

So you've figured out, more or less what you want... Read More

Tips for Terrific Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews don't just happen; they are the result of... Read More

Your Value Proposition: A Critical Component To Having A Successful Job Search

Your value proposition is a series of statements defining your... Read More

Five Biggest Resume Mistakes You Can Fix Yourself

A career consultant can diagnose and overhaul a troubled resume.... Read More

Rethink Your Career Transition

Are you going nowhere in your career? If you've decided... Read More

Job Interviews: Six Steps to Acing a Telephone Interview

Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's... Read More

Looking the Part

I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to... Read More

A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter

Ever wanted a job where you could spend all day,... Read More

Tips For Surviving As A Corporate Refugee

In her book "Are You A Corporate Refugee", Ruth Luban... Read More

Career Change: A Glittering Invitation To The Emotional Stalkers

As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More

How To Resign Gracefully

Once a new job has been accepted, you need to... Read More

Students Discover Your Niche By Using Career Assessment

In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More

Technology in the Workplace - Boon or Curse?

Like all new innovations, technology in the work environment can... Read More

The Global Work Marketplace - The Revolution Of How Work Gets Done

Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More

Find Those People

"The Emperor's New Clothes" was a favorite childhood story of... Read More

I Quit!

More and more people are calling it quits to successful... Read More