AboutKathleen Barton Expertise Do you sometimes question where your life is headed? I work with people to help them define their purpose and direction in life. I can help you gain insights into your values and priorities, your passions, your interests, talents, and future contributions. I can provide direction on writing your personal mission statement. A personal mission statement is a powerful document that expresses your personal sense of purpose and meaning in life. It acts as a motivating force, and will help you lead a more meaningful life.
Experience As a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, and coach I specialize in purpose/passion, maximizing potential, career success, and work/life balance. As a career and life coach, I help my clients: clarify their purpose, values, and goals; attain their goals more quickly; clarify career direction; maintain better life balance; and ultimately achieve their full potential.
I am also the author of Connecting with Success book, Finding Your Purpose and Passion in Life workbook, and The Balancing Act: Managing Work & Life audio/workbook.
Organizations I belong to several professional organizations including American Society for Training & Development, National Speakers Association, and Sacramento Coaches Association.
Publications I have written articles that have appeared in numerous publications, including The Executive and Prosper Magazine, among others.
Education/Credentials I earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Business from California State Universities. As a certified Success Coach, I received my training at the Institute for Professional Empowerment Coaching.
Past/Present clients My key clients include Hewlett-Packard Company, M&M/Mars, Nationwide Insurance, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, among others.
Expert: Kathleen Barton Date: 3/21/2008 Subject: lost & directionless
Question Hi,
I am a 26 years old female. For the past few weeks I have been feeling general malaise & sickness off and on - mostly
muscle aches, very mild fever, fatigue, very mild throat discomfort and very mild cold/flu.
I think this is because I have not been sleeping well for the past few weeks. Lately, I find my life and job very
unfulfilling, so much so that the only things I look forward to in life is to eat. (which is bad - I am slowly but
surely getting fatter).
There are many things going on in my life lately.
1)Career - I think I dont have passion for my job anymore. But the creepier question beneath is - should I change job?
And I dont really know what I want to do which can make money and be fun at the same time. I have already been working
in my present company (my first job) for almost 5 years now. Will it be a stupid decision to change career? Will it be
worth the pay cut? (My company pays quite well). But lately I start to feel like an underdog here. My junior has been
approved to go to an overseas training (which I have applied for but previously denied approval). Then I start to feel
left out as most of my colleagues are more IT savvy than I am. My company mostly does system implementation work. I
have an Electrical & Electronics Engineering Degree background. AT the moment, I cant forsee a bright future with this
company, the only reasons why I am staying is - the pay, and I am not sure whether outside jobs will be better (may be
I am having unrealistic expectations of a job - and switching to a lower paying job will be a foolish move?).
2)Being content with what I have VS losing weight
I am 60kg, 5 feet 2 tall. I went for a check up and discovered that my metabolism is on the low range of a normal
person.I have been actively working out 3-4 times a week (at least one hour session each time) for the past 4 years. I
mostly do high/mix impact cardio workouts(3-4 times per week), with some stretching/flexibility exercises(once / twice
a week) and resistance training (once a week/2 weeks). If it is not for my active lifestyle, I believe my metabolism
rate would even be lower.
I have been chubby all my life. Highest weight is 60kg, lowest weight was 50kg. The weight which I was able to maintain
(5 years ago) was 55-57kg.
Lately, due to work commitments, I have not been able to work out as much as I usually do, and in the near future, I
can forsee even more hectic working schedule.
I eat a normal amount like other people. But sometimes I wonder whether I should go all out to cut out 5 kg of fat?
Should I eat a super light dinner, skip all the sweet tea/coffee that I have after breakfast/lunches, etc? And I am
reluctant to do that because I love those food. But I am always in a lingering limbo - torn between being content with
the size and shape that I have, and whether to vigorously pursue my goal? If yes, that will mean that I will have to
significantly alter my eating habits for the rest of my life. The question will be - is it worth the effort? I honestly
dont know.
Nowadays I just exist through life, going through the motions, directionless and with a vague feeling of depression.
Nothing to look forward to. Can you please help me? I have been having this problem off and on for the past few
months/2 years. Thanks!
Regards,
Karen
Answer Hi Karen,
You mention feeling a general sense of malaise and mild sickness on and off. I wonder if you may be suffering from depression. I suggest that you get checked out by a doctor. Also, exercise will help if you're feeling mildly depressed. You mentioned that you've exercised regularly in the past, but due to a hectic work schedule you haven't been able to exercise lately. I suggest you make exercise a priority, even with your busy schedule, to carve out the time. Mild depression could be coloring your view of the world, which affects all aspects of your life, including your work. Getting regular exercise may improve your frame of mind.
If after addressing your depression, you still have concerns about your work, then you need to ask yourself some questions. What is your concern about your job? Do you no longer enjoy the work? What would make your work more satisfying? Are you feeling unappreciated or slighted because your co-worker received the overseas training assignment? I would suggest talking to your boss to find out why your request for training was denied. You may first want to see if your job can be re-structured so that it will be more fulfilling, rather than change jobs. Talk to your boss about upcoming work assignments. See if you can be put on an assignment that sounds more interesting to you. You might explore these options first before considering changing jobs. Some people change jobs only to find out that the new job is not any more satisfying.
I hope these suggestions help. I wish you the best!
Best Regards,
Kathleen Barton
Speaker, Author, Career & Life Coach
www.YourLifeBalanceCoach.com
