Now is Time to Be a Quester
Award winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life Shows how to navigate lifelong career growth
Who are Questers?
What personality traits enable them to succeed? What gives them inspiration and courage to pursue causes important to them? Could you do the same?
Check your Quester traits: http://www.questersdaretochange.com/services-2/quester-quiz/
My continuing research on life career transitions and empowerment on hundreds of thousands adults representing diverse industries across the globe found significant differences between people who took charge of their careers and those who did not. I call these entrepreneurial, creative types Questers. People who follow conventional career paths are called Traditionalists.
Questers represent all occupations, ages and walks of life. They’ve been around for centuries. Famous Questers like Galileo Galilei, Mother Teresa, Marie Curie, Florence Nightengale, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison have made significant contributions to humankind. Others such as Steven Spielberg, JK Rowling, Nelson Mandela, Usain Bolt, Jesse Owens, and John Glennare contributing to contemporary society.
Questers are optimistic, creative, and inner-directed. They view failure as learning experiences and measure success by internal standards. Periodically, they reevaluate goals and make needed modifications to maintain congruence between who they are and what they do.
Individuals, who take a more conventional approach to their careers, are called Traditionalists. Committed to organizational careers, they value external rewards and measure success by how their careers measure up against the approved timetable. Although they may achieve temporary security, future options are limited. In a world of continuous change, security must come from within.
The differences between the types lie on a continuum. Everybody needs some security, growth, and challenge, but the types have different priorities. Quester qualities are healthy and enable us to adapt to change. Questers report higher levels of self awareness, job and life satisfaction, and health than Traditionalists.
Questers create work in harmony with their purpose and move up or down the occupational prestige ladder toachieve fulfillment and growth. Career advancement, to them, means growth of the whole person
Fred studied mechanical engineering because he loved “fixing things.” He enjoyed his early work but not senior management. Therefore, he created a maintenance position in an apartment complex that enabled him to fix things. “If you’re doing what you like, it’s not work,” he shares.
Jessy came to Canada from China when 30. She wanted to “learn about the world.” Zhao took various jobs while studying English and computers. Now, 41, she works for an information technology firm and recently purchased a home. Reflecting on her move, Zhao says, “It was challenging, but I feel confident knowing I can do things!”
Attuned to changes within and around them, Questers anticipate layoffs. While his colleagues worried about being laid off, Mike upgraded his skills and contacted employers. He was offered a job the day he received the pink slip.
Tadeus. a creative Polish marketing and communications executive, enjoys building and strengthening relationships with colleagues in competitive environments. A people-oriented visionary, Zorawaski likes advancing marketing initiatives from concept through to completion to show companies how to use advanced research and digital technology initiatives to increase corporate profitability.
Victoria left her career services director position in San Francisco to care for her ailing father who resides in a rural community. Foster turned this crisis into the opportunity to pursue a long-time dream, real estate.
People who develop Quester qualities like Tadeus, Victoria and Byron will prevail in today’s fluid, technological times. They learn new attitudes and patterns of coping and continuously find innovative ways of expressing themselves in work and life.
Few Questers think of “retirement,” but continue involvement in meaningful paid or unpaid activities that give them purpose, direction, and continuing growth. Bea, took time out, at 66, to reassess goals after selling her successful cosmetic business. She took a sales position with a furniture store on the west coast which allows her to use her creativity and helping skills, but remains open to new opportunities.
We’re all born Questers. But as we grow older, many lose excitement for learning. We forget the good feelings that come from mastering challenging tasks. Reprimands, don’ts, and shames result in fear of trying. We set up barriers to growth manifested in expressions of resistance including fear, denial, delay, and low confidence.
Fortunately, we retain Quester qualities within that can be strengthened. Sometimes, crises such as layoffs, illness, and divorce precipitate self-evaluation and growth
Strengthening Quester traits
Clarify purpose. Identify themes: absorbing childhood activities, proud accomplishments, when you’re most energized, a favorite Halloween costume.
Be authentic. Do what’s right for you. Ensure actions are consistent with thoughts and feeling. Set goals in harmony with your purpose.
Build confidence. Focus on the positive. Avoid, “I can’t.” Don’t compare yourself with others. Judge accomplishments against personal standards and strive for excellence.
Continue to learn. Read, take courses, volunteer. Challenge conventional beliefs. Recognize and seize opportunities. Find better ways to do things. Try. Place no limitations on yourself.
Enhance courage to risk. Review three successful risks taken. Note what made these successful. Identify perceived barriers for taking another risk and explore ways to overcome these.
Manage fear. Identify worrisome issues. Minimize these researching relevant information and resources. Live in the present. Let go of “attachments.” Form a support system.
Create a life in which you can continue to learn, grow, and have choices. Life is an opportunity, take it, life is an adventure, dare it!
What’s next for you?
Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, by Carole Kanchier, PhD, shows readers how to clarify life career goals and develop a master plan for success. Get a copy of Questers Dare to Change: https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/15r-Life/dp/08408963.
Check audible edition: htps://www.audible.com/pd/Questers-Dare-to-Change-Your-Job-and-Life-Audiobook/B07VZNKGJF?asin=B07VZNKGJF&ipRedirectOverride=true&overrideBaseCountry=true&pf_rd_p=34883c04-32e5-4474-a65d-0ba68f4635d3&pf_rd_r=TN801GRP49AWQSSYMDYC1
Author Bio: Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, registered psychologist, coach and author of award winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life. Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz, University of Alberta, and other institutions of higher learning, and worked with clients representing varied disciplines. Dr. Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential. Carole may be contacted for interviews and consultations.
