My passion is helping people of all ages find their home in the world of work. Join me for FREE Weekly Webinars every Wednesday, starting October 26^th at 10 am, PT, 1:00 pm, ET, 5:00 pm, GMT. I have 30 years of experience as a leader, educator and coach; and have degrees from Cornell and Columbia.

I have developed ground breaking programs that identify your previously hidden passions, values and purpose and aligns these findings with your talents to lead you into the work you were born to do. We have had a 99 percent satisfaction rate for our programs since 2004 because our comprehensive system relies on your imagination, intellect and abilities. We provide expertise, customization, structure, tools and support to a global audience.

Click here to register for any or all webinars: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/515633866

If you would prefer a private ½ hour session with me to discuss your challenges and learn about our one2one programs for teens, adults and coaches, you can request one at laurel@threegiantleaps.com. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Laurel Donnellan, President – Three Giant Leaps

Learn more about our programs for teens and adults, our team and take our free career change assessment at: https://www.threegiantleaps.com

Laurel Donnellan

President

www.threegiantleaps.com

718.644.3935

I have dedicated my life to answering one question:  How do you help teens and adults find work they love?

In the development of Three Giant Leaps, I researched, sought out and interviewed many people who love what they do for a living, including teachers, business people, scientists, clergy, artists and entrepreneurs. In this study, I found that they had a few things in common:

✦ When they work, they often lose track of time

✦ They are curious about their craft or field of study no matter how long they have been at it, and continue to hone skills and knowledge

✦ They feel at home with their work, peers and colleagues who are also striving for excellence. They admire this “tribe” of other people who love what they do

✦ They can answer the following three questions:

1.       What are my talents?

2.       What is my purpose?

3.       What is my dream for the future?

I now know that anyone can find their calling and share the experience of these fulfilled people if they are willing to do the work necessary to contemplate their past, define their values, create a vision and courageously go after it.

My quest to clarify my own career has been challenging, and rewarding. The stops along the way included building a traditional corporate career, yoga ashrams, and graduate school.  Eventually this search brought me to mentors who led me through a Native American Vision Quest. Vision Quest is a ceremony that has been practiced by Native Americans for thousands of years to help identify each tribe member’s purpose and role. In keeping with their ancient tradition which differs from tribe to tribe, I participated in a seven day ceremony each April for four consecutive years. 

Each year, for part of this experience, I was isolated for days in nature where I sat on a blanket, fasted, and went into a deep meditation, to ponder how I might best serve myself and those around me. My Vision Quest was filled with new sensations including being exposed to hot wind, cold nights and soft rain.  Sounds included songs in traditional language sung in the distance with heart beat like drumming reminding me of the love of the people who were supporting my journey while at night I never felt more alone as I heard animals moving in the trees near my spot.

In the last year, I was isolated for four days and received the following purpose from my vision quest after seeing an owl fly over my blanket:

To be a leader in helping individuals find their home in the world of work.

My purpose became to translate ancient Vision Quest ideals into a practical and contemporary program. Three Giant Leaps now provides a present-day ritual tied to the wisdom of indigenous cultures, so that people in the modern world can also find how to do in the integrate their internal life with what they do.

Like a Vision Quest our program allows you to fully concentrate on your purpose in life. Here are some lessons I learned from Vision Quest and how they all were woven into our process:

Ø  It may take a long time to attain clarity, but it is worth the wait: Our program is not a quick fix, it takes at least 14 weeks of focus, determination and hard work with support of a coach to get results

Ø  When you are on a quest for direction, strive to ask for more help than you think you need: Our program stresses right relationships with your loved ones, co-workers, network and community

Ø  Often clarity comes from a quiet knowing inside of you when you slowdown from our hectic pace of living and working: We do not ask you to sit in nature for four days but we do give you twelve 5 minute audio visualizations, many contemplative writing assignments and we help you to do two soul adventures for 4-12 hours each throughout the process

Ø  Your visions can be related to relationships, family, health, work, finances, spiritual growth, hobbies, volunteering and/or your career: Our curriculum delves deeply into all these areas and options

Ø  Your plans for your future can range from the very simple and focused to the exceedingly complex: Our approach is very personalized to your needs, hopes and lifestyle

Ø  The most important thing about your vision is that it resonates with you: The results of the program include knowing and galvanizing your values, purpose, priorities,  and  plan for making your vision a reality

The coaches I have trained and I are very privileged to do the work we do. We work with clients who trust us to help them unearth a new purpose and then, allow us to support them in making their dreams a reality. This work is challenging, sacred, fascinating and incredibly satisfying. Our goal is to help our clients feel the same way about their vocations.

Laurel Donnellan

President

www.threegiantleaps.com

Question reader:  When I look for jobs online, it seems like the only ones available are for large corporate companies. I’m inspired by the start-up scene and would love to find a job with a new and smaller company. Where can I go to look for these types of positions?

I know movies like The Social Network have glamorized start-ups so before you start looking for a job at one take this quiz. Choose a or b for each question based on what sounds most like your natural tendency:

Question One:

a.     I am good at teaching myself how to do things.

b.     I prefer having someone teach or mentor me.

Question Two:

a.       I like structure and performance benchmarks.

b.      I do not need structure to be productive.

Question Three:

a.     If my boss came to me and told me he could not make payroll for 30 days, I would quit.

b.     If my boss came to me and told me he could not make payroll for 30 days, I would use my savings or borrow some money so I could continue to contribute.

Question Four:

a.      I prefer to do one project at a time and then go on to the next one.

b.      I like multitasking.

Question Five:

a.      My dream is to have my own business someday.

b.      I would prefer to work for someone else.

Give yourself a point for each of these answers: 1. a, 2. b, 3. b. 4. b. 5. a

If you scored four or five out of five, I would definitely advise you to pursue positions at a startup.  If you score is 3 or less you may want to focus on an existing company with a more stable culture, perhaps a small or midsize regional company can give you the environment you need.

So, if you are startup material, you have to be prepared to do some extensive hunting for the right match. Normally startups do not have a big staffing or advertising budget, so the best way to get in is through a founder or someone who knows the founder.  Here are seven places to look for jobs or meet the founders of new or emerging companies:

1.     Craigslist or other cheap/free job posting sites in your city: Startups usually have a very limited recruiting budget so they post jobs where they can afford it.  

2.     Business Plan competitions sponsored by universities or economic development organizations: Most business schools and cities sponsor business plan competitions where entrepreneurs can pitch their business for cash prizes.    

3.     Entrepreneurism networking groups: Look for groups on LinkedIn and locally for face to meetings at Meetup.com. 

4.     Innovation associations and conferences: Connect with innovators online and in person through tedx.com, poptech.org and svn.org. 

5.       Investment companies and conferences: You can often find start-up founders as they are putting efforts into raising capital.

6.       Professors of entrepreneurism at business schools: Often these men and woman are in touch with students and alums in early stage companies.

7.       Job boards for startups: Check out www.ventureloop.com, www.startuphire.com or www.startupjobs.com .

Laurel Donnellan, President of Three Giant Leaps, has 30 years of experience as a leader, educator and coach: and has degrees from Cornell and Columbia. She is a thought leader in global career development. Her passion is helping people of all ages find their home in the world of work. Join Laurel at a Career Yoga Event Live in Austin, Texas or online on May 25^th. Learn more at: www.threegiantleaps.com/events.

Career Yoga is a holistic path to right livelihood. Just like the practice of hatha yoga it takes study, dedication and lots of practice to experience results. I became a yoga teacher as the first step to becoming a career coach and dream advocate. My theory, was is that the practice of yoga was a great training ground for helping people have more peace, health and happiness at work.  Since then I have taught yoga in the workplace and have brought this practice and knowledge into my career development programs with great results.