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7 Steps To Find Your Purpose

By Estra Roell

As I was driving down the road with my 16 year old son I noticed him more glum than usual.

"What's up?" I ventured.

"I just don't know what to do with my life," he replied. "I don't know what I could possibly do to make a living that I would be good at."

" You'll spend most of your adult life at work," I advised, "so do something you love."

"I don't know what that is. I don't know what I like to do that I could make a living at."

"Well, what I notice is that many times when I come home from work thinking I have groceries I find them missing because you've been cooking for your friends. Every after school job you've had has been in a restaurant and you talked the manager into promoting you from busboy to line cook and you've done really well. Do you think you'd like to be cook?" He brightened and turned to me with an actual smile. "No," he said. "Not a cook. I want to be a chef!"

This boy, who had been a rather bored, lackadaisical high school student went on to culinary school and was one of the top students. He received accolades from his instructors, his original dishes always sold out and he even got excited about the papers he had to write. When you are passionate about what you do, everything changes.

Studies by the research company Harris Interactive have shown that 80% of working Americans don’t enjoy what they do for a living. The highest incidents of heart attacks and suicides are on Monday mornings. Clearly something is missing in the lives of most people.

We all come into this life with a purpose. Each of us has a unique contribution to give to the world and that gift will always be in the form of something we love to do. If you are spending your days out of touch with what you feel most passionate about because you think that's the only way to make a living, you will feel it as stress, boredom, false fatigue, poor health and a general state of unhappiness. How successful do you think you will be under those conditions? Who would you rather do business with or have as an employee--someone who is charged up with enthusiasm for what they are doing or someone who is forcing him or herself through each day?

When you are engaged in work that you are passionate about you are fulfilled. You feel a sense of aliveness, vitality and joy. Your actions come from a sense of inspiration. Many people limit themselves because they don't believe they can make a living from doing what they are naturally drawn to, they feel afraid, they think they lack the necessary skills or they are under pressure from family to take a certain path in life. This is your life and no one else can live it for you. Not only are you healthier and more fulfilled by following your passions, you are actually more attractive to abundance and success. Think of Oprah Winfrey, for example. Her passion was talking to people and look what she did with that!

The first step toward moving in the direction of a purposeful life is to get very clear on what your top passions are. The things that "fire you up" are your clues to your highest purpose and life's work. Think of how you feel as you are preparing to go on vacation. Now think of how you feel as you get up to go to work. Wouldn't it be nice if you felt the same excitement for both?

The answer for my son was right in front of him but he couldn't see it because he wasn't asking the right question. He was trying to figure out what a good job would be that would pay the bills and he might be able to do reasonably well. He wasn't asking himself what it was he really loved. What did he enjoy spending time doing? What fulfilled him? Our highest purpose is not about figuring out what the world needs. It's about what has meaning and is fulfilling for each of us. Sometimes we just need a little help to see what is already within us.

Here is an exercise to help you get started.

Find a quiet place and time when you will not be disturbed. Imagine your life as if you were already living it joyfully and abundantly. Let your imagination flow freely, with no restrictions. Don't judge your answers or limit yourself in any way. This is just you and your imagination. Allow yourself to drill down until you find the things that light the spark for you!

On a sheet of paper answer these questions:

1. What kinds of activities am I engaged in and what skills am I using? Think of anything you enjoy as hobbies or volunteer work such as traveling, gardening, painting, writing, cooking, organizing, being with children, singing, meditating, counseling, working with machines, numbers, exercising, surfing, reading, teaching, woodworking….and so on. Think of things that have always come easily or naturally for you and hold nothing back.

2. Where do you like to spend your time? Are you inside or outside? Do you work from home or in an office? Do you travel for work?

3. Who are you with? Do you prefer to work alone or with others in a team? If you are with others, what kind of temperament do they have?

4. Do you have your own business or work for someone else? If you have a boss, what is his or her management style?

5. How much time do you devote to money making activities and how much time do you have for family and self-renewal?

6. Are there classes you need to take or people already successful in your area of interest that would be willing to mentor you?

7. Ask yourself: Who do I want to be? What kind of person am I and what do I most value?

Now, using the answers from above, imagine your life ten years from today. Imagine you have followed your passions, no matter what obstacles or fears may have appeared to pull you off course. Write a story of your life including all the juicy details and feelings you have as you look back to see all you have accomplished and the person you have become. By always choosing in favor of your passions opportunities have opened up for you in ways you could not have imagined!

Now, write another story, where you allowed fear, excuses or well-meaning family or friends to hold you back. How does that life look and feel?

When you step back from your purpose you not only deny yourself your most joyful life, you deny the world your unique gift. Your purpose could be baking the most delicious cupcakes or making scientific discoveries. All that matters is that it has meaning for you.

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Become a Pharmacy Technician

Healthcare jobs for the squeamish

Are you interested in a career in the ever growing health industry, but are “a little squeamish”? Well, then why not look into a career as a pharmacy technician! Not only do pharmacy technicians get to work with individual people, but they also play a vital role towards the wellness of whole communities.

Where do pharmacy technicians work?

Pharmacy technicians can enjoy a number of employment opportunities, including retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies, health insurance companies and pharmaceutical suppliers.  Moreover, employment statistics across North America list the pharmacy technician profession as a stable, growing field with good job prospects.  According to statistics in the 2010 Trends & Insights Survey of Retail Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians for the first time since 2001 are in higher demand than pharmacists (42% and 33% respectively).

What do they do?

Pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of licensed pharmacists and perform many pharmacy-related functions including: preparing, packaging and labeling prescription medications, maintaining proper storage and security conditions for drugs, entering patient information and doctors' prescriptions in computer systems, maintaining inventory record keeping systems, preparing sterile products such as intravenous (IV) admixtures, chemotherapy admixtures and total parenteral nutrition (TPN).  They also have the opportunity to progress to managing staff.

How can you start in this career?

Employers who have insufficient resources to give on-the-job training often seek formally educated pharmacy technicians.  Formal education programs emphasize a technician’s interest in and dedication to their work, and help technicians to build a solid foundation for further specialization and study.  CTS Canadian Career College is one of approximately 25 institutions across Canada to be approved by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) to offer the Pharmacy Technician program.  Completing a program that has been accredited by CCAPP not only ensures that your receive quality education from an institution that has adequate resources, evaluation systems, skills and attitudes, but also that you have a competitive advantage in a job market that has recently put a high value on regulation. 

So how do you know if you’re right for this career? Simply meet with one of our admissions counselors for an in-depth look at both the program and your individual skill sets.  Call our campus today (705) 725 8776. 

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Making College Affordable

Paying for college is not some impossible dream. Students have more options than ever to help them not only afford tuition, but college life in general. By knowing what to look for in private student loans, college students receive the education they truly want while having manageable payments after they graduate. While in college, students can save money in a variety of ways, helping them save for their future or those moments when they simply want to splurge to celebrate a great semester.

Paying For College

A college student’s first step should be figuring out how to pay for college. Typically, there are four options available. The first two are the most coveted as they do not require you to pay back anything. Scholarships and grants are given to students of all ages. They are based upon a wide variety of factors including, but not limited to, age, major, college, gender, ethnicity, location, income and religion. Always check with your employer, local clubs and church for possible scholarships.

The third option is in the form of student loans, which cover anything school related. Some loans are public and provided through government assistance. Private student loans are provided through various banks and even colleges themselves. Interest rates vary based upon the amount and whether a parent co-signs. Luckily there is now a cheaper payment plan available through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act that allows students to repay their loans based upon their income. Most student loans are not due until the student graduates, though some offer a payment plan throughout college to help reduce the debt before graduation.

The fourth option involves paying all fees and tuition during college. This saves hundreds of dollars in interest later on, but can be hard if money is not available at the time. Most colleges have a tuition payment plan allowing students to pay only a portion of the payment upfront and the rest at regular intervals throughout the school year.

Saving Money While On Campus

Once college itself is paid for, there are still other expenses, such as entertainment, books, food and gas. The first rule college students should follow is to avoid credit cards if at all possible. They offer too much of a temptation to simply charge something, thereby increasing the student’s debt. Instead, they should look for a free student checking account. They can then pay for purchases with checks or debit cards without going into debt.

Always take full advantage of your student ID. This card can get you significant discounts at theaters, local restaurants and on campus activities. Students can save hundreds of dollars on entertainment alone by using their student ID and taking advantage of on campus activities. Whenever possible, you should buy used. This includes textbooks, clothes, music and anything else you might need. Used items can be found both online and off. Spending more doesn’t make a difference.

Consider having a night in; a cheap takeout and a rented movie are far cheaper than actually going out. The best way to save is to simply keep track of your expenses and stick to a strict budget that is set at the beginning of each semester.

Addiction Intervention Counselors Are In Demand

Addiction Intervention Counselors help people who have problems with a range of addictions including chemical,gambling,smoking, sex and others. They provide counseling to addicts and former addicts. Sometimes they're involved with crisis intervention situations.

They also help the family members and friends of addicts whose lives are effected by the addiction. Substance abuse counseling is regarded as one of the most challenging fields of human/social services.

They do not provide psychological therapy.

 They usually work under the supervision of physicians, psychologists and social workers. Substance abuse counselors work in outpatient clinics, halfway houses and treatment centers. Some substance abuse counselors work in hospitals. They often have clients who are homeless, have emotional disorders or have AIDS.

During group or one-on-one sessions, clients have the opportunity to talk about their situation and problems and are offered strategies and techniques to deal with their issues. Typically, counselors help with the practical aspects of the clients' lives such as finding employment. They often refer people to organizations that can offer help such as family agencies, vocational training centers, food pantries and welfare agencies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain records of clients
• Develop plans for clients
• Get involved with crisis interventions
• Offer information for useful services
• Review and analyze client's progress
• Have discussions with family and friends of clients
• Participate in staff meetings
• Consult with other professionals about their clients

Job Characteristics

Addiction Intervention Counselors need to be compassionate and supportive, have patience and a strong desire to help other people. At times, the job can be frustrating and stressful. They sometimes have to deal with death. They typically work 40 hours per week. Also, some counselors lived in halfway houses.

Employment Outlook

The growth rate for Addiction Intervention Counselor jobs is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Some of the growth can be attributed to more addicts seeking treatment and more drug offenders being placed in treatment programs instead of jail.

In 2009, there were 83,000 substance abuse and behavioral disorders counselors. The median annual earnings for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in 2009 was $34,040. The highest 10 percent earned over $52,340 and the lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,600.

Those with experience and a high school diploma or an associate degree may advance into a job as a director of a halfway house. Counselors have opportunities to advance into positions such as supervisors and administrators in their agencies. Also, some work in private or group practices.

The criteria for licensure varies by province.