Career Empowerment Strategies
Legend has it that the Sankofa bird originates from the word Sankofa, an Akan language of Ghana Sankofa, which means go back to the past in order to build for the future. The Ghanian proverb translates, “We should learn from the past, that is ‘go fetch’ what we need and move forward to the future.” Sankofa is symbolic of the spiritual mindset and cultural awakening of African people’s experience in the decades of their independence. Though the concept may seem new, it is an old tradition that links a people to the discovery of their past, which is a fundamental building block for the future.
The Sankofa bird is characterized by the turning of its head in the direction of its tail. In reality, the bird is either removing something from its tail, searching through its tail feathers, or grooming itself. The Akan likens this action to looking backward, a symbol of looking at one’s past, or with the quest for knowledge, returning to the source. The Sankofa bird represents an individual who deliberates when making decisions. Prior to launching a major endeavor, it must collect all of the necessary data before completing a task.
Looking back in order to move forward empowers you to discover your authenticity, affirm your talents, and own your power. Returning to my past to discover the real me was like being in a dark tunnel where all of the information was outside waiting to be discovered. Any new experience I learned about the new me felt like sudden beams of light flashing from the tunnel. The brighter the light the more I was able to see my God-given talents. Have you ever experienced a sudden burst of light hitting your eyes? Initially, the light hurts your eyes until it adjusts. This is how I felt when I discovered different parts of my authenticity. When I emerged from this dark tunnel of not knowing myself, what I saw about the true me was so amazing. Through the self-discovery, I uncovered revelations that I had never imagined. It all began with a dim light of awareness that grew brighter. The tunnel is a metaphor for uncovering the unknown after wandering in the dark for a long time. This light was symbolic of the empowerment of my true self. An affirmation of the real me, the true identity that brought me into this world, was powerful. When we find ourselves on life’s journey to rediscover, we all look for that dim light.
Like the Sankofa bird, if a part or portion of something important is missing or absent, it is wise to “go back and fetch it,” thus returning to the beginning or retracing our steps to find parts of the missing solution or parts that were misplaced. Sankofa, then, is the repossession of something forgotten and the initiation of a process of returning to the place where the object was lost in order to fetch it, and then move forward into the future.
Career Empowerment Strategies helps to rediscover your purpose in life. Perhaps you selected this book or maybe a friend bought it for you. It doesn’t matter how it came into your life. If willing to participate in these career empowerment strategies, you will gain the courage to look inside yourself and create the career you deserve. I did it for myself. In fact, I continue doing it every day.
Empowerment is worthwhile and exciting. Discovering who you are creates a better you, and empowers you to make positive and authentic career decisions. There is a light inside of you. Let it begin to shine brightly and commence your journey to empowerment.
Career Empowerment Strategies differs from many self-help career books. Few career books recognize that the most critical stage in selecting a career is uncovering one’s authenticity. Discovering your authenticity can be a daunting experience because we are unsure of what we will find. You are not alone in fighting or ignoring negative self-messages that limit uncovering the gems inside of you. This book focuses on our positive images that were either hidden or suppressed as a result of life’s experiences.
The strategies found within are fun and filled with creative ways to discover your career passion. Creative Career Empowerment Strategies provides a four-step approach to help you design your career path:
- Discovering Your Authenticity
- Creating a Career Vision
- Creating a Career Portfolio
- Networking
You may have 20, 30 or even 40 career years ahead. It doesn’t matter what number you came up with; what is important is that Discovering Your Authenticity helps rediscover the person you forgot or neglected due to life’s demands and detours. Taking the time to discover your authentic self is a wonderful experience. At first it might feel overwhelming. Don’t worry! This is normal! Remember, delving into uncharted territory for the first time is daunting. Don’t give up; you will soon feel like a new person.
Creating a Career Vision stems from the quote, “What the mind can conceive the mind can achieve.” Mental visioning prepares the mind for success. Gathering written evidence of talents and gifts is the purpose in Designing a Career Portfolio strategy.
Networking connects your authenticity, vision, knowledge, talents and skills to resources and people that support your career journey. Networking creates results by placing in the universe your creative intentions. Watch what happens when you meet someone through networking. Inevitably, someone will link right into your career path or provide you with the information you need. All of the steps in the Career Empowerment Strategies are important; but networking creates the energy needed for the universe to set your career journey in motion.
While I was on my career journey, I found many hidden gems. I am grateful to my Divine Spirit, the creator who guided and empowered me with the courage to look within and develop a deserving career. Self-examination was difficult at first, but with prayer and affirmation that the Spirit loves me, I was encouraged to face all I needed to know about my past and present.
This book contains ideas and experiences of people I met in my Career Empowerment Strategies workshops. It is dedicated to those workshop participants who persistently requested more information about Career Empowerment Strategies. I empower you to seek the courage within, to explore and have fun as you witness the joy of uncovering those God-given gems.
You are a unique and special person with jewels and gems buried deep inside. Let’s uncover those riches for the world to see. You may be hesitant of looking inside yourself or perhaps forgotten your role in life or maybe you are just dissatisfied with your job. Whatever the reasons, enjoy the journey. We have been connected with the Spirit.
© 2005 Barbara Collins | Site by