Q: I am not content with the status quo and keep changing my mind on careers. I've read about becoming a life coach and that it is a good time for getting into the business. I haven't pursued it because the one person I know who became a life coach is the most controlling and narcissistic person I have ever known. After becoming a life coach, her narcissism skyrocketed and I want to gag every time she speaks. She turns every conversation back to her favorite subject — herself. I lost respect for the field since she finished the program and become certified. I'd shoot myself if going through the training turned me into her.

I also didn't take psychology courses (neither did she), and I don't know if I'd feel comfortable without that background. I want a meaningful career and I am a very social person, but I don't know if I have what it takes. I've switched fields before, and my college degree seems worthless. Maybe I'm just unsure about my abilities? How do I know what field to switch to before investing in further schools or courses?

A: First, don't stereotype a field due to one flawed person who went into it. Every field has good and bad people, competent and incompetent, and that's part of life. Second, don't befriend those you don't respect. The people you invite into your life will influence you whether you realize it or not. The proof for this is the negative energy you experienced when writing about your "friend."

Life coaching is a good field for someone who genuinely likes and wants to help people. Seeking help from professionals is no longer an embarrassment or a sign of weakness; in fact, it's a sign of wanting a higher level of emotional intelligence and a desire for growing one's awareness. There are various levels of study and certifications to become a life coach. The International Coach Federation has rigorous standards for schools with life coaching training programs. Consider only Accredited Coach Training Programs (ACTP); then look for the school with your preferred focus, such as leadership, academic, business, personal and career, etc. Some schools require in-person training, while others offer on-line classes or a mix of both. Once you qualify the programs you like, then consider the costs. You could spend a minimum of $4,000, but when deciding a future career, research your income potential compared to your education costs.

If you are unsure of your commitment level to any career choice, read self-help books to guide you in the right decision. The book Rich Habits Rich Life, The Four Cornerstones of All Great Pursuits, (Leadership Institute Press Laguna Beach, Calif. 2016 $24.00) by Randall Bell, Ph.D. can replace courses and lessons in ethics, values, life practices, business practices, and psychology. Dr. Bell has created a new system for evaluating oneself — the "Me, We, Do, Be" — in life. The "Me" is your position as a student of life where you develop "intellectually, philosophically, and spiritually. The parenting one receives is crucial. The "Do" is one's ability to be productive. The "Be" is one's progress. He shows how these cornerstones apply to all people, all groups, all ages, and are powerful tools in "assuring a balanced assessment in one's thinking, relationships, productivity, and overall plan to go forward." Imagine working on your thinking process for decision-making before ever making a decision. Think of the time you might save by learning how to effectively so you don't learn by making a series of mistakes after mistakes.

One's thinking patterns develop in childhood, which lead to habits in how we think and approach information. "The brain treats all habits the same, and does not distinguish between a "good" habit and a "bad" habit, so we must deliberately choose them." Rich Habits Rich Life offers every person the chance to undo the brain training that may be causing harm in the lifetime ahead.

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