Last week sports broadcaster Jon Miller received the Ford C. Frick award from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Given that he broadcast games for the San Francisco Giants, all of the local news shows in my area were covering the story.

During these media appearances he shared several stories about how he got started in the career he obviously loved. These stories hold nuggets for you as you re-envision your career.

Get a Vision of What You Want

When Jon was ten years old, his father and godfather took him to his first Giants game at Candlestick Park. While the game played out, young Jon spent more of his time watching the announcers' booth than the game itself.  As he watched he noticed that the announcer could watch the game, eat French fries, and read a book (during lulls in the game), all while doing his job! He knew in that moment that life couldn't get better than that!

Now your mission in life may not be to eat French fries on the job, but it could be that you observed something as a child that awakened your imagination. Perhaps you watched your parents or grandparents work in a particular way or you had a memorable experience that informs your career choice.

It's also possible that experiences later in your life give you an idea of a quality or characteristic you would love in your work. Over the years I've had clients define a variety of work elements.

• Clients often have a particular picture of their work environment that includes working in a room with a view, with their companion pet, in an office with windows that open, or outdoors.

• Others know they want to make an impact in a particular way or for a specific population.

• Some have a lifestyle that defines their work style--working from dual locations, flexible hours to handle family responsibilities, or the ability to work virtually from wherever they are.

Although it may feel impossible to find a job that allows you to work the way you want, don't give up so easily! In my experience, the people who have a vision of what they want have a much better chance of creating a position that aligns with their vision. They may not get what they want immediately or they may not get all that they want, but they get more of what they want when they have a vision.

Play, Experiment, Experience

After attending his first major baseball game, Jon started announcing games in his bedroom. He set up an announcers' booth with a television, a phonograph with one of his Mom's organ records to play during the breaks, and, of course, his mic! He taped his commentary for the games that were broadcast locally.

Imagine all that he learned about pacing, flow, and terminology during these "mock" games! Throughout his career, he continued to hone his skills and eventually won an award from one of the most prestigious organizations in his field.

You may think you are too...dare I say it...old to practice your skills in play, but what a great way to develop your talents. As an adult, your play may take a slightly different form.

• Starting a blog focused on your passion allows you to research your passions, develop your expertise, and establish your credibility.

• Finding a volunteer project that aligns with your passions gives you an opportunity to practice new skills or apply your expertise in an organization that adds some green to your resume.

• Taking on a project in your home allows you to experiment and explore with topics that are new to you.

Finding ways to act on the interests and skills you want to use in the green economy will pay off. You can begin using these strategies immediately whether you are ready to change careers in the short term or you are pre-planning for a future career transition.

• Not sure where to start?
  
• Unclear about what steps to take?
  
• Trying to figure out where your skills fit within the green economy?