Before I got started with Life Coaching and writing books, I was a career counselor in the higher educational field, because I wanted to know what I wanted to be “when I grew up,” and I figured if I could help other people figure it out, that would help me too. So during the course of my career, I have performed many roles—as a freelance writer, adjunct instructor, and counselor helping thousands of people undergoing the process of deciding upon a career or even changing career fields entirely. One thing I excelled at was teaching adults, particularly graduate students.
I have a knack for teaching complex ideas and making them “practical” and easy-to-understand. That is why I am so successful as a Coach today, I am great at inspiring people who are motivated to learn. I am gifted with the ability to help people see the truth of who they are, and I am an “activator of soul’s”.
I was not always so on track, though.
For a couple of years, I desperately tried to fit a square peg in a round hole in the academic environment.
And guess what, it was not pretty.
During that time, I thought there was something wrong with me because I had all the worldly success symbols— college degrees, a good job with a big name company, benefits, etc, and yet; I was miserable.
In fact, the whole situation was making me sick.
The culture was toxic—politics and favorites reigned supreme. I am sure you know what I am talking about. I just about burned myself out in my twenties, just going to work, coming home, falling into bed, and doing it all again day after day. I especially resented how my time was dictated, especially my days off. My creative nature was stifled by rules, and rigid expectations of what was acceptable.
I found out later that many organizations, just like families, are highly dysfunctional and those who know how to play the game get rewarded, while those with integrity and heart, are seen as threats to the system (aka status quo).
I once got reprimanded for being too passionate! I told the supervisor, “I thought I was supposed to care about my job and those that I serve!”
I knew I was in trouble when I kept having dreams about work that would wake me in the middle of the night!
The real deal breaker, though, was when my personal values conflicted with the organization’s values—they seemed willing to do just about anything to make a buck.
For me, the typical 9-5 work situation felt more like a self-created prison. For a few years on and off, I would “default” into my career comfort zone and take a job that I knew that I could do, but it never worked out. In fact, I was fired a few times along the way! The universe knew that I was destined for something great, it took my personality a while to “get it.”
I held the belief then and certainly do now, that work not only could be fun, it was supposed to be fun. I knew I had to find something else or I was going to be unhappy for a really long time—like my whole life.
I decided very early on in my career that I was not going to find what I was looking for in a traditional work environment. Gratefully, I followed my inner guidance and was led to Life Coaching. I adopted the entrepreneurial mindset early on and have been successfully self-employed ever since. Of course, there have been ups and downs, and many challenges, however claiming your personal power and discovering your Destiny takes a certain kind of person—one who is ready, willing and very persistent.
With my writing career, I have self-published over 30+ life empowerment books, and now, with the forthcoming release of The Destiny Discovery: Find Your Soul’s Path to Success, (release date January 17, 2011) I can see how everything has unfolded right on time. And in this book, I am revealing what has taken me over a decade of rigorous learning and guiding people on their paths to Greatness. This book will change your life and I cannot wait for you to read it!
Michelle L. Casto AKA Bright Michelle is a woman on a mission. Throughout her 20-year career, this powerhouse of personal transformation has been known as a spiritual teacher, author, healer, Guru, Soul Coach, consciousness shifter, Lightworker, and overall “Bright Light.” An author of over 30 life empowerment books, her first book Destined For Love: A Step by Step Guide to Attracting Your Soul Mate was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1999. A former university Lecturer in career development, and author of the book Get Your Career on the Fast Track, Michelle has worked with thousands of international clientel to find their ideal career path. These days, Michelle’s mission is to awaken people to their life purpose through her unique Destiny Success Process. Her book The Destiny Discovery: Find Your Soul’s Path to Success is coming to Amazon on January 17th, 2012.
To contact Michelle for coaching, media or speaking engagements, please send your request via the form on http://liveyourdivinedestiny.com/contact/
What has your career path been like? Share with me below, I would love to know….where you have been and where are you going?!