Wondering what to do with my ability for empathy and understanding people. Have some experience and perhaps opportunity to work with this professionally—advice?
(I’ve intentionally tried to keep this post concise. Please ask if you want more details about something)
I’ve done some free NVC-based empathy work starting two years ago (online, via Skype call).
(NVC is a communication method; the specific methods used are empathic listening and reflection).
Lately people told me I’m really good at it, and should with it professionally. I think I would enjoy that, and it does match my career aspirations.
I’m going to have free time over the summer to do something with this if I want to.
(I’m 25. I live in Sweden)
--- My general ideas are along the lines of…
Get more information, potentially connect with people who already work with this and/or similar topics.
Research study/certification options—there are some, though I haven’t found one that seems like a good fit for me yet.
Register a corporation—since I already do work that generates value for others, I could open the door to doing it professionally. (Also, the registration is free of charge)
--- I’m not equally good at getting a read for people who I know or converse with only casually (not enough data).
Slow text-only communication (e-mail etc) - can’t iterate fast enough. Text chat… might work but loses a lot of bandwidth compared to voice. Voice works best (or doing it in person).
--- I am quite good at understanding people even with few things in common, and across quite sensitive topics (which requires a non-judgemental non-critical approach). The only requirement I guess is that the person actually wants to be deeply understood, and have that understanding reflected back verbally.
--- Some reported benefits
Increased clarity and self-understanding
Inspiration and clarity when it comes to specific goals and actions
Increased awareness of own values
--- So I’m wondering what to do with all this. I could use some thoughts/advice—I the share the rationalist viewpoint on life and most of the rationalist values.
Some additional info
I am a Swedish citizen, which gives me free passage and right of residence within the European Union. I speak good English (and all the empathy work I’ve done has been in English). I am potentially open to relocating—Sweden has less than 10 million residents so I figure I might need to at some point (though I’d rather stick to English-speaking countries. I have a slight preference for warmer climates).
I’ve done some free NVC-based empathy work starting two years ago (online, via Skype call).
(NVC is a communication method; the specific methods used are empathic listening and reflection).
Lately people told me I’m really good at it, and should with it professionally. I think I would enjoy that, and it does match my career aspirations.
I’m going to have free time over the summer to do something with this if I want to.
(I’m 25. I live in Sweden)
--- My general ideas are along the lines of…
Get more information, potentially connect with people who already work with this and/or similar topics.
Research study/certification options—there are some, though I haven’t found one that seems like a good fit for me yet.
Register a corporation—since I already do work that generates value for others, I could open the door to doing it professionally. (Also, the registration is free of charge)
--- I’m not equally good at getting a read for people who I know or converse with only casually (not enough data).
Slow text-only communication (e-mail etc) - can’t iterate fast enough. Text chat… might work but loses a lot of bandwidth compared to voice. Voice works best (or doing it in person).
--- I am quite good at understanding people even with few things in common, and across quite sensitive topics (which requires a non-judgemental non-critical approach). The only requirement I guess is that the person actually wants to be deeply understood, and have that understanding reflected back verbally.
--- Some reported benefits
Increased clarity and self-understanding
Inspiration and clarity when it comes to specific goals and actions
Increased awareness of own values
--- So I’m wondering what to do with all this. I could use some thoughts/advice—I the share the rationalist viewpoint on life and most of the rationalist values.
Some additional info
I am a Swedish citizen, which gives me free passage and right of residence within the European Union. I speak good English (and all the empathy work I’ve done has been in English). I am potentially open to relocating—Sweden has less than 10 million residents so I figure I might need to at some point (though I’d rather stick to English-speaking countries. I have a slight preference for warmer climates).
The fact that you did all in English suggests that you don’t do it with your meetspace friends. Ask your meetspace friends.
If you want to be a coach or therapists you need to be in a position to gather clients. Empathy alone is not enough. You also need to do outreach to find clients.
I mostly agree with this.
Right now I live in a small town, and my meatspace friends don’t need the particular kind of support I can offer. Outreach/community is one of the reasons, maybe the primary reason I’m considering to do studies (academic, certification or something similar).
Still, the internet seems like a viable way to connect with people.
Look for people who need your kindness. Things will open up for you.
I like the way you phrased that :)
Therapy or psychiatry seem like good fields to go into here.
Yeah. I have considered that.
There’s overlap between empathy and therapy/psychiatry, but also important differences.
Though working with some kind of therapy might suit my personality, and the way I want to work.
What are you up to these days?