Did you know that having an identity crisis or upheaval every 10 years is considered normal and healthy, and identity is largely shaped by love and work? Case rests. Support systems for people in career transition are lagging woefully behind sea changes that are occurring in way we do work. But you are ultimately responsible for your attitude. Every day, single most important decision you make is your outlook toward your search. Here are some suggestions for maintaining positive momentum: Don’t be afraid to make a temporary job move, to buy time and diminish financial pressure. You can use it to check out some components of your eventual choice.

Consider territory between your ears – worry, self-criticism, confusion – a bad neighborhood. Don’t hang out there alone. Talk with someone, a friend or a professional, who is more objective about you and your abilities than you are.

Don’t shortchange your intuition. Trying to figure this out may not be best way. Let some insights/hunches/visions come to you.

You’re learning career development skills here. This will probably not be your final change.

Check out Po Bronson’s chatroom: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/life_goals. Your sense of being alone in your angst will dissolve. And finally, here’s a perspective I’d like to offer. Engaging courageously and wholeheartedly with question “What should I do?” is single most pro-active step you can take. After interviewing 900 people, Po concluded that biggest obstacle to answering question is guilt about taking it seriously. Work, when it’s right, is how we forge our place in world; process of finding it clarifies and hones who we are and who we want to be. Asking hard questions (What do I want? What impact do I want to have? Who do I want to become?) and giving time to inner and outer research, is surely one of most important life investments you can make.

•Holding your feet to fire…too hot? In process of revitalizing your career, there’s plenty of research to be done: research into yourself – who you are now and what you want – and research into marketplace. A therapist would accompany you in researching yourself but would only indirectly participate in your market research. Homework and accountability are generally built into coaching, designed by you and your coach. Whether you find accountability motivating and focusing, or unwelcome pressure, should help inform your decision. •Do you want an expert or a companion? A therapist will invite you to go deeply into issues that may be blocking or confusing you, and may draw on his or her expertise to challenge your definition of problem. A coach will invite you to co-create goals and design of coaching, and your stated agenda will be focus unless you decide to change it. Both therapist and coach will help you see what you can’t see, but you remain more explicitly in charge of coaching than you would of therapy. If you come to conclusion that you want to look into psychotherapy, it’s advisable to look for word-of-mouth recommendations whenever possible. Another possibility is to consult your local Mental Health Association. Many people find it empowering to ask for sample visits with at least two therapists before making their decision. If you decide on coaching, be sure to inquire about training, in addition to experience, as you’re looking for a coach. The International Coaching Federation maintains a credential that assures client of a high level of both training and experience. And remember, nothing precludes doing therapy and coaching simultaneously. Some people find it a powerful duo. Good luck on your quest!