Finding your passion is the secret to keeping your New Year's resolutions, career life coach says

Intermountain Catholic

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Lou DePasquale, a career life coach, helps people commit and follow through with life, career, relationship, finance, health and wellness and business goals.

By Christine Young

Intermountain Catholic

SALT LAKE CITY - Once the holidays are over, people often feel guilty about over-indulging and resolve to diet and exercise, bike to work or take the stairs. They make resolutions about making more money or changing careers, but by February they feel bad because they've lost their motivation.

"It's easier if people will focus on one thing at a time because they are more likely to stick to it," said Lou DePasquale, founder of Attainment, a life, career and business coaching company.

"I help people obtain goals that range from time management to career changes," said DePasquale, a member of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish. "To succeed, people need to find their passion, set goals and develop a plan. It requires thinking a little deeper about what they really want. Self reflection helps them determine their passions and what motivates them."

The first of the year brings to mind changes people want to make and gives people an opportunity for a fresh start on things like getting out of debt, spending more time with the family, health concerns and changing careers," said DePasquale. "People are quick to set the bar too high with unrealistic goals. They can be more successful by setting short-term goals and a commitment that will help them follow through with their plan. Short-term is a slower pace, but easier to manage."

For example, DePasquale warns people against trying to focus on a career change and losing weight at the same time. "By focusing on one goal, a person can give that goal its proper attention," he said. "Also what works for one may not work for another and people have to keep that in mind when setting goals. People have to start somewhere so they have to know what works for them, evaluate their career flexibility and their time schedule."

Most people seek DePasquale's assistance for financial planning, relationship management, career changes and motivation, he said. "I help them understand the importance of a reasonable time frame and accountability."

Achieving goals is a process and people must respect that process, he said. "The average time it takes to see a change is six months although I've worked with people as long as two years. Change is difficult," DePasquale said. "It comes from within, but it has to be for the right reasons. Success does not usually happen when someone is changing for someone else."

People can set goals without a life coach, but it is necessary to develop a team or support group, he believes. "Joining a group gives people the support and encouragement they need to get on their feet," he said. "Finding someone with whom to exercise and finding something that is enjoyable increases one's success. Hiring a nutritionist, joining a diet program or finding like-minded people offers encouragement and accountability. I also do phone sessions to help people maintain their motivation."

DePasquale became a life coach as a result of working with his father in his drafting and engineering business. "I started working with my father when I was 15," he said. "It required a lot of traveling, and he taught me how to have a good work ethic and maintain a strong marital relationship while on the road. My father died when he was 54 of a sudden heart attack in 2003, and that put life into perspective for me. It helped me realize the connection between work, family setting goals and life in general."

For more information, visit www.attainmentlife.com.