Your Genius is Always Transferable

Your Genius is Always Transferable Jobs, industries, companies, economies are subject to change but theres one thing that doesnt change and its the fact that you are a genius.   Yes a genius and youve been using that genius your whole life. In fact, its what people consistently come to you for even if youve never advertised.   Its what people thank you for providing even though you were just being yourself.   It may not be what youve been paid to do (yet) but its valuable and of service to others.You might be wondering why Im talking about about genius when Job Action Day this year is about transferable skills.   Well, in my 16 years of experience as a career coach, nothing is more consistently valuable through up and down economies than a person putting their genius to use in service to others.Each of us possesses a unique core genius.   Its the package of skills, experiences, talents, ideas, attitudes and preferences that no one else can replicate in exactly the same way because no one else has lived our life or bee n through what each of us has been through.If youve been looking to give your career new life, you need look no further than the genius thats been uniquely yours.   Look to the ways youve easily been of service to others throughout your life and you will see a pattern of genius shining through.   For example, Ive been asking people about their careers since I was six.   I wanted to know what they did for a job and what they liked and didnt like about it.   And if they didnt like it, what would need to change for them to be happier.   Also at six, my mother went to medical school and I had a wonderful life experience that taught me that its never too late to change careers to do what you love.   (My Mom dreamed of being a doctor since she was six.)But to make your genius transferable, youve got to package it so that others can pay you for it.   Before I packaged my genius into the job of career coach, I was giving away unsolicited career advice (and it wasnt always appreciated).   H owever, it was appreciated at work when we had to set goals and do our own self-assessments as part of the annual performance evaluation process.   Everyone dreaded that annual process but not me.   I loved it and had fun talking colleagues through their goals and helping them capture the highlights of their performance over the past year.   It wasnt may job but I did it naturally and successfully (without any prior training) and it was fun!   And your genius is fun (and easy) for you to use too.   You just have to research and test out ways to be of service using it (in ways you can make a living.)For example, I have a client whos a genius at making things fun whether its coming up with a game to play while waiting in line or its making a joke at a tense moment in a meeting to lighten to mood.   Hes also empathetic and can see when someone needs encouragement or a boost.   Hes also a great critic he can improve any process or procedure to make it more effective.   How is all this a genius?   Well hes been a successful management consultant focused on improving systems and processes.   In this case, his empathy for client situations and ability to make things fun has enabled him to bring together teams through difficult improvement-focused projects.   Hes currently looking at teaching as a career as well since he knows kids learn better when things are more fun, his empathy will help him relate to students who are struggling and his push to improve will support them in becoming their best.   Two very different careers but all stemming from the same genius.In your case, the same is true.   Your genius can be of service in a myriad of ways.   If your current company is downsizing or your industry is shrinking, dont wait for the layoffs, start looking now at ways your genius can be of service in new situations.Here are three questions to ask yourself to get started:What would I do if I knew I couldnt fail?Whos job would I love to have?What do people thank me for ?These types of Soul Search questions are crucial to determining your unique core genius.   Once youve got that, the next step is to Research careers and jobs where your genius is a key required skill.   Case in point, Ive always been a great note taker and a great typist.   I can capture information quickly and accurately.   As a career coach, these talents play very well because Im able to capture my clients career insights quickly and accurately.   They love that Im able to keep such great track of our conversations so they can leverage the insights we uncover to make smart career decisions.   I dont have to work at taking copious notes, in fact, I find it a fun challenge to get everything just as it was said.   Your genius is designed to make you great at the job(s) youre here to do too.The last step to transferring your genius to a new career is to Job Search.   But by this I dont mean filling out a bunch of job applications.   Rather its about going after the career possibilit ies you identified that fit who you are and what youre here to do.   Its about networking with people in the jobs and fields youd love to be in (even if youve never done that work before).   You see, your natural genius will shine through and though you may have things to learn you wont be starting over at the bottom.   Youll be able to make lateral moves into new areas and move up the ladder more quickly and easily than when in jobs that didnt match your genius.   Its truly that simple.So get started now.   Identify and package your genius through Soul Search, Research and Job Search. The world needs you to put it to good use in service to problems that only your genius is here to solve.   Take action and remember your genius is always transferable!Im writing this post in support of LiveCareers Job Action Day. Created in 2008, Job Action Day connects workers and jobseekers with unique job-search and career advice from leading experts and bloggers in the career field. This year, we celebrate experienced professionals with the theme: Survive and Thrive: Using Transferable Skills to Give Your Career New Life.