Cant break through the glass ceiling

LegacyUser

Here goes...
Im 31 and my career has stalled. Ive no qualifications and am honestly dreading going back to college at night time to study (Ive pretty much failed all academic exams Ive sat).
Personally and professionally I feel like Im stuck at the glass ceiling and dont have the power to break through.
Im struggling for motivation but frustrated at work at the same time. I was thinking of a 'life coach' or something along those lines, someone to help me zone in on my skills and maybe motivate me to get back to studying and progress up the ladder.
Has anyone experience in dealing with life coaches?

IlmoNT4

Its interesting OP that you have called it a glass ceiling... That reference is usually used for limitations that are forced on you because of gender or race. In this case, its only you that limiting yourself.

The reality is this, if you want to break through, then you need to go back to college. Life coach is going to tell you, that you dont like your line of work because if you did, you would understand that going back to college for a qualification will help you in your choose career.

Why dont you feel that you have the power to bring change about in your life?

bee06

It sounds like it's your lack of qualifications and what could be perceived by an employer as lack of ambition because you haven't worked to get any that is holding you back rather than any "glass ceiling". I haven't gone to one myself but I know a few people who have gone to a career coach/consultant and been positive about it. Do you enjoy working in the industry you're in or are you looking for a change.

LegacyUser

loulou2009 wrote: »

The reality is this, if you want to break through, then you need to go back to college. Life coach is going to tell you, that you dont like your line of work because if you did, you would understand that going back to college for a qualification will help you in your choose career.

Why dont you feel that you have the power to bring change about in your life?

I do get it about going back to college, that its pretty much necessary ( I work in IT).
This might be hard to believe, but I start to panic and hyperventilate when studying. My mind starts to think about failing, again, and other negative thoughts. I end up having to lie down for a while to relax. Ive always lacked focus I guess, Im easily distracted and daydream a lot.
Even as I type this, Im daydreaming about the future.
I do exercise so that doesnt really help me. I suppose Im looking for direction on my future and a bit of stability, someone who can put me on the right path and help me to take knock-backs.

I do think its the right industry for me. Id say I have a logical, problem solving brain.

bee06

Maybe you need to see a counsellor about your anxiety and fear of failure issues?

IlmoNT4

you have a logically problem solving brain...then solve this issue. I too work in IT. You need those qualifications. If you work in IT then you have experience with managing issues and methodically working towards a plan.

I think its a therapist you need to see rather than a life coach. You are setting yourself up to fail, feel anxious about something that hasnt happened and then you dont do anything. Your day dreaming is a way of disconnecting with how you feel. Ultimately you are afraid..

LegacyUser

Thanks for the responses everyone.
Perhaps it is a counselor I need to chat to get my head straight, before I can
progress my career.

December2012

GLASSCEILING wrote: »

Thanks for the responses everyone.
Perhaps it is a counselor I need to chat to get my head straight, before I can
progress my career.

Talking to a counsellor will help you manage that anxiety that is clearly affecting you.

Which will in turn positively affect you, and consequently positively affect your career.

Lux23

As well as talking to someone, maybe look for courses that are on a continuous assessment basis - I would have thought that was common enough in IT.