Chapter 17Career Plan Step #7: Identify Both Personal and Professional Barriers to Your Success

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

—Walt Disney

Kay's boss has been promoted to a new department and she desperately wants his job. Her oldest daughter leaves for college in a year and the extra money would be a welcome addition to help pay for her daughter's tuition. Kay is excellent at her job and is known as one of the most knowledgeable workers in the department. The problem with Kay getting the promotion is that she never earned the certification needed to qualify her for a manager position in her field of work. She regrets not having dedicated the six months required to earn the certification and realizes now that her lack of preparation and planning may have cost her the position.

Jason makes a good living. He has recently been placed on probation because of his angry outbursts and personal attacks directed toward his co-workers. When Jason hears of a pricing mistake one of his employees made, he walks out of his office ready to let him have it. He knows he should choose a different behavior but he doesn't. He heads straight for the employee's cubicle getting angrier with every stride.

Katelyn is stressed out at work and can barely make it through the day. She has been dealing with her stress by overeating and has ...

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