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The discovery process of assessments and discussions that Jim Bailey led my daughter through prior to her Freshman year in College was invaluable in helping her confirm her strengths and choose her college major.  The context and confidence that she gained as a result was a significant return on the modest investment of time and money.  I strongly recommend a pre-college assessment with Dr. Jim Bailey to parents with college bound children.

Jeff Jones, Development Director

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Prior to attending law school, I thought I had a pretty good idea of who I was and what my strengths and weaknesses were.  However, after a couple of years practicing law, I was getting little to no satisfaction out of my chosen profession and I was truly “lost.”  By the time I went to see Dr. Bailey, I had already made up my mind that practicing law was not for me.  After a few sessions with Dr. Bailey, it became clear that I had been blinded by my own frustration and dissatisfaction with my chosen profession.  I had lost sight of what my true strengths and weaknesses are.  He encouraged me to me dig deeper and analyze my situation from new and different angles.  The testing and tools that he used helped me to organize my thoughts and gave me the structure and objectivity that I needed in order to rise above the “fog” I had been living in.

Dr. Bailey showed me that the problem wasn’t my profession… it was how I was engaging (or not engaging) in my profession.  He helped me find ways to utilize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses, without leaving the practice of law or even my employer.  Now, almost 3 years after working with Dr. Bailey, I am happily practicing law and I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life.  In my case, Dr. Bailey didn’t try to encourage or discourage a career change.  He simply wanted me to take a fresh look at who I was and what I wanted out of my career before I made a potentially life-altering decision to leave the practice of law.

W. Michael Baisley, Esq., Law

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I am extraordinarily fortunate to have Dr. Jim Bailey as a career coach. I started working with Jim after leaving the marketplace to assist my son with a school transition. I knew I wanted to reenter the marketplace after some months and felt I desperately needed help to find a job that would be a good fit and would allow me to be productive and creative while still satisfying my family responsibilities. Without a strong professional social network in the Knoxville area, I turned to the internet to find a career counselor. I came across the Directions Consultation web site and arranged for an initial phone conversation. I felt comfortable with Jim right away and began meeting with him regularly to begin assessment and planning.

When I first began working with Jim, my sights were set low. I had prepared to take a position of lesser responsibility and interest to have the time I needed for my family. Fortunately for me, Jim had other ideas. Jim asked me to put my assumptions on hold and to follow a process for uncovering my preferences, temperament, and skills to see what types of work I might be best suited for. Through our conversations, my understanding of myself evolved, and my confidence increased. I began to think bigger and aim higher. I ended up finding and taking a job that I love, with almost twice the pay, adequate time flexibility, greater administrative support, and more time to do what I enjoy.

While I love my job, there have been challenges. Over the past year, Jim has guided me through various and assorted political and personal issues on the job. He has been incredibly supportive and insightful. When I haven’t been able to see the trees for the forest, he has provided a more objective, arms-length perspective on my problems and issues. His encouragement and advice have been invaluable.

Working with Jim has made a huge difference in my career, my life and my self-awareness. I hope to continue to work with Jim as the need arises. With his integrity, encouragement, understanding of people and organizations, knowledge of many different fields of work, and sound career advice and guidance, Jim is a huge asset to those of us fortunate enough to work with him.

Patricia Obenour, Medicine/Education

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I am unabashedly one of your biggest fans. What a gift you give to your clients as you so generously share your wisdom in helping them to reveal and achieve their dreams! Not only have I benefited from your services myself, in knowing how to better interact and communicate with my own clients, I have seen the changes in energy, focus, direction and confidence that happened not once but three times as I’ve sent family members and friends your way. On their behalf and mine, thank you.

I would (and do!) recommend you to anyone who has a sense that there’s more out there for them that they are somehow not reaching or seeing clearly, or if they have simply run out of steam or enthusiasm in their current career. I would also recommend you to business owners who want to make sure they are hiring the right candidates for their companies, from both a job skills perspective as well as someone who will fit with the corporate culture and current team players.

Debbie Patrick, Publishing/Marketing

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For those of us, that are involved with Dr. Bailey on any level, we are truly blessed to glean from his expertise and his geniune personality. I would highly recommend Dr. Bailey for anyone at the crossroads of life or facing a career change or someone not sure about how they fit in their chosen career. He has so much experience and uses his talents to benefit all that he coaches.

Bob Brock, Realtor

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Jim is a true friend. A compassionate man who truly puts your interests before his. He takes care of problems with the ease and efficiency of a man with many years of experience handling difficult circumstances. I truly believe Jim cares about what he does and who he works with. He is always generous, humble, and prepared, and he has my vote in any situation.

John McCulley, Website Development/Hosting

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