Career Professionals of Canada News Feed
Many career practitioners struggle to find a balance between their family and their career. Yikes! Even as I write that sentence, I cringe. What is this elusive “balance” that people refer to? Instead of balance, I have learned to live a “blended” life. In his book Who’s Got Your Back, author Keith Ferrazzi writes about the idea of living a blended life, not a balanced one. “The elements you see in [your life] aren’t individual territories or fiefdoms. They should, and will, overlap!” This got me thinking about how often I…
As a Career Development Practitioner and Certified Work-Life Strategist (CWS), I have always believed that lifelong learning and self-care truly matter. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of collaborating with an exceptional team of fellow CDPs and other subject matter experts in the development and validation of Career Professional of Canada’s new Work-Life Coaching program. I was very fortunate to be a student in the pilot program. Not only did I learn a LOT that was new to me (“ikigai” comes to mind), but the experience reinforced my…
The theme of wellness dominated many aspects of our lives in 2020 and continues into this year. Yet, many may not fully understand the meaning of the word. Wellness is multidimensional. The Global Wellness Institute defines it as: “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” When someone asks, “How are you doing?” you may likely respond, “I’m doing well” or “fine.” But under the surface, there may be layers of emotion that need to be stripped away like onion peels to achieve…
As a Certified Work-Life Strategist and employment specialist supporting newcomers to Canada, I am acutely aware of the importance of mental health wellness for my clients and myself. As my clients navigate the hurdles of immigration, getting a survival job, or establishing a career in Canada, I offer them unconditional support, kindness, and belief in their worth and future success. My work is both gratifying and demanding at the same time. And I know that when I don’t set work-life boundaries and take good care of myself, my mental health…
I recently worked with a client who landed an exciting entry-level engineering role with a growing and innovative company in Halton, Ontario. During our coaching sessions, he had asked for help in managing the stress he was feeling as a result of the job search process. Along with thoroughly dedicating himself to interview practice and preparation, and remaining optimistic, I suggested a wellness practice that has been instrumental in relieving my own stress: yoga. The Plentiful Benefits of Yoga I discovered yoga several years ago as a way to de-stress and…
Certified Work-Life Strategists Lori Jazvac and Ksenia Lazoukova learned about the fascinating concept of ikigai while participating in CPC’s pilot Work-Life Strategist program in December 2020. Intrigued by this concept, they collaborated to learn how they might incorporate ikigai into their client practice. Here, they share how you can help clients find their ikigai. What is Ikigai? Ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) is a Japanese word meaning “one’s reason for being” or “life’s worth.” This concept integrates the joy of doing something with a sense of purpose, meaning, and well-being. Many disillusioned…