You're nearing retirement age and looking for meaning in your career. Can Motivational Interviewing help?

1 What is MI?

MI is a method of conversation that was originally developed by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick in the 1980s, to help people with substance abuse issues. Since then, MI has been applied to various fields and contexts, including health, education, and career counseling. MI is based on four principles: expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy. These principles guide the MI practitioner to listen attentively, reflect back what they hear, ask open-ended questions, affirm strengths, elicit change talk, and avoid arguments or judgments.

2 How can MI help you?

MI can help you clarify your career values, interests, and goals, and identify any barriers or challenges that might be holding you back. MI can also help you increase your confidence and commitment to pursue your desired career path, and plan the steps and actions you need to take. MI can help you overcome any fears or doubts you might have about making a career change, such as financial insecurity, family expectations, or social stigma. MI can also help you cope with any setbacks or difficulties you might encounter along the way, and celebrate your achievements and progress.

3 How can you learn MI?

MI is a skill that can be learned and practiced by anyone who wants to improve their communication and influence. There are many resources available to help you learn MI, such as books, podcasts, videos, courses, and workshops. You can also find a certified MI trainer or coach who can teach you the basics of MI, and provide you with feedback and guidance. You can also practice MI with yourself, by using a journal or a voice recorder to reflect on your own career thoughts and feelings, and apply the MI principles and techniques to yourself.

4 How can you use MI?

Using MI can be a great way to enhance your career exploration and development. You can use it to conduct a self-assessment of your career values, interests, skills, and strengths, and how they relate to your current and potential career options. Additionally, MI can help you explore your career vision and goals, identify any gaps between your current and desired career situation, recognize any ambivalence or resistance you have about making a career change, generate and evaluate different career alternatives and opportunities, develop an action plan to pursue your chosen career path, seek feedback from others who can help you with your journey, and review and celebrate your career accomplishments. With this approach, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and the opportunities available to you.