How can you create a sense of urgency and momentum for change in your career?

I just recall the story of "Frog in boiling water". The frog enjoys the initial warmth of the water on a stove. As the temp raises it's skin loses the ability to recognize the external changes. Ultimately when the water begins to boil, it becomes too late as the frog has spent all it's energy swimming with joy initially. This story is highly relevant to everyone of us irrespective of the titles we hold. Continuous scan of the environment, having a growth mindset and moving away from the comfort zone to stay relevant defines one's ability to stay relevant.

In my experience, most people, over time, turn into passengers in their own lives, instead of placing themselves behind the wheel. As morbid as it sounds, it actually helps understanding early on that you will die some day. And those days in between, what are you gonna do with those? What do you want to have as the story of your life, when you are sitting there at the end of it? That you "where there" - or that you lived it, and took it on - fully on. There IS indeed a sense of urgency, as life is but a fleeting moment in the big scheme of things. Unless you ABSOLUTELY have to, why waste 8-10 hours a day at a job you don’t really want. There are a million options out there- go find the you, that you want.

I've found having a clear vision of where you would like to be and setting time bound goals to be helpful. You should also make your goals known to a trusted friend or colleague, for accountability

My perspective is to think about your transferable skillset and search for positions looking for those skills. The other thing is to not contemplate it too much, JUST DO IT! I’m doing that currently and putting in my cover letter that I hope you will see that my transferrable skills match the needs of this job description.

Before jumping into a career change, ask yourself the big 'why'. What's driving this transformation? More money? Escaping a dreadful boss? Craving a better life balance? Figuring out the why sets the stage and urgency for the journey. Then you can map out how to get from where you are to where you want to be. When you're navigating the ups and downs of a career change, the hardest part is keeping that fire alive. That's when the power of accountability and celebrating small wins come into play. Ask a friend or mentor to walk with you on the journey, keep you on track and celebrate the wins with you.

Once you know what you really want. And visualize that new reality. Take out a piece of papers. Define all of the steps to get there. But a timeline for the 1st one. Work your butt off to get that done. Do the same for the second. Keep that vision in your mind. Don’t stop.

Creating a sense of urgency and momentum for change in your career is like designing a blueprint for a new building. Just as architects meticulously plan every aspect of a structure, you should define your desired outcome with great precision. Start by setting clear goals, much like an architect outlines the specific features of a building. Consider every detail, such as the skills you need to acquire, the resources required, and the timeline for your career change. You should have a vivid mental picture of your desired career outcome. By creating a comprehensive plan, you'll be well-prepared to inspire urgency and momentum for change, ensuring that your career development takes shape according to your design.

Crafting specific & measurable career goals is key to ensuring your transition is not just purposeful but also easily traceable. These objectives act as important milestones in providing you with a roadmap for progress. They serve as a compass, directing your focus towards the broader picture during the intricacies of a career shift. A clear success criteria becomes essential - how will you access success, & what potential challenges might arise? Addressing these questions doesn't just define success; it also serves as a proactive measure, preparing you for potential hurdles & fostering adaptability in the face of change. This process goes beyond a career move; it's about nurturing a vision that inspires but & propels you forward.

In my experience, I witnessed successful change management when Senior Leadership has clearly communicated the change initiative and the impact that it would have on the individual and organization. Momentum is kept when again, Senior Leadership provides frequent and consistent updates on the progress of the change initiative. Communication is key throughout the entire process.

I belief that self awareness provides not only the foundation for our development efforts, but also our desired outcome. We have to keep track of our emotions and feelings (mindfulness) and be ready to learn something new. After defining a desired outcome, having a growth mindet will be required for a successful career change.

Approach stakeholder identification and engagement as if you're the orchestra conductor. Recognize the value each stakeholder brings and ensure their participation in the change process. Just as a conductor values every instrument in the orchestra, your leadership should acknowledge the contributions of all stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment.

Identifying and engaging stakeholders is crucial. Stakeholders may include immediate colleagues, mentors, industry connections, and even friends and family who could play a role in shaping your professional path. You need to be able to communicate the vision and goals of your career change, equally important is listening to the feedback and guidance of stakeholders. Think of it as a collaborative relationship where you're building your support network and creating allies and advocates.

I've learned that every professional journey is interconnected, and building support networks is essential. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and individuals who may not be directly involved in your daily work but whose insights could be invaluable. Share your aspirations, seek advice, and leverage their perspectives to shape your vision for change. In surprising places, you may find unexpected champions who can provide guidance or open doors to new opportunities. By actively engaging with stakeholders beyond your immediate circle, you not only broaden your network but also create a ripple effect of support that propels your career change with a sense of collective momentum.

Sometimes you need to take bold steps when it comes to a career change. Networking will help us identify opportunities within and outside organizations. But we must thread carefully because stakeholders may not appreciate your need for change and may discourage you. Make up your mind, talk to like-minded people who appreciate your desire for a career change, and jump when the right opportunity comes! But jump ship responsibly, with proper preparation for someone else to takeover your current job.

Another important step in creating a sense of urgency and momentum for change is to identify and engage stakeholders who can support or contribute to your efforts. This can include mentors, peers, colleagues, managers, or even external partners or investors who share your interests or goals. By engaging with stakeholders who are committed to supporting your growth and development, you can create a network of allies who can help drive progress towards achieving your goals.

When you are in pursuit of your authentic vision, bold decisions are going to be made. Making strategic moves that are authentic to yourself guides you through every risk, ensuring your journey is one of purpose and growth. As you choose your next steps, ensure it aligns with your vision. Be brave and step out of your comfort zone. Each career step that resonates with your vision, empowers you to embrace risks and flourish. Your authentic vision holds the key to unlocking a journey uniquely yours.

Planning is important but taking action is key! When transitioning careers, breaking down the steps and tasks needed help define goals and provides a personalized career roadmap. It provides a clear path forward but also allows you to anticipate and address potential challenges and obstacles unique to this change. This plan then allows to identify resources and support that may be needed. A plan also allows you to monitor and measure progress with checkpoints and milestones which help you stay on track, stay motivated and adjust to change as it arises.

What actions are you executing? What you need is a job offer. Don't change or resign without a job offer. You may need to take some make-up courses when you know what you want. This will give you confidence and help you succeed in your new career. You may need to change locations - move from one city to another, move to a new country etc. Ensure your family is on this adventure and that you have a support community in your new role.

With a clear goal in mind and stakeholders engaged on board, the next step is to plan and execute actions that will help you achieve it. This may involve developing a roadmap or action plan that outlines specific steps you need to take over time, as well as milestones or checkpoints along the way that will help track progress toward achieving your goals. It may also involve identifying potential obstacles or risks that could impact your progress and developing contingency plans to address them. By breaking down your goal into smaller, more manageable steps, you can create a sense of urgency and momentum by focusing on immediate actions that will help you make progress toward achieving it.

Based on your desired outcome, create a roadmap with specific, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps and set realistic deadlines for achieving them. Take action regularly, even if it's just small steps forward. Consistent progress will keep you motivated and focused.

Embrace Non-Linear career trajectories unique to you 1.Career management for self is like a long road trip where detours could be a possibility. So accept the uncertainty 2. Identify your guiding factors - for example learning and earning. Look for the balance of these factors to create your own compass 3. Take risks but know about them along with mitigations. E.g. moving to entrepreneurship but have enough funds and mental bandwidth 4. No comparisons - no two human lives could be same so comparing career journeys and stages is futile It's a one player game remember ! Lastly careers change is not a stigma anymore. All you need is strong will and an action plan :)

Creating a sense of urgency and momentum for change in your career is like throwing a festive gathering to celebrate and learn from your achievements. Just as a celebratory event brings people together and sparks excitement, acknowledging your accomplishments can boost your motivation for change. Start by recognizing and embracing your successes, much like inviting guests to a joyful occasion. Use these celebrations as opportunities to reflect on what went well and what you've learned, similar to sharing stories and experiences at a gathering. Just as a great host ensures everyone has a good time, your leadership in acknowledging achievements fosters a supportive network that can encourage your career change.

Once you have achieved your desired outcome, it is essential to celebrate and learn from the experience. This can involve reflecting on what worked well and what didn't, as well as identifying areas for improvement or innovation for future efforts. By celebrating your achievements and learning from them, you can create a sense of momentum that will help drive you forward towards achieving even greater success in the future.

Celebrating even the smallest victories is essential, it acknowledges your efforts and provides a motivational boost through the journey. Sharing success stories and tips becomes a way to inspire others and foster a sense of community, particularly when navigating uncharted professional territories. Equally important is the reflective process after challenges or setbacks, learning from these experiences is integral to personal and professional development. Being able to adapt & improve strategies based on feedback and results you see is a great way to continuously refine & your approach to successful outcomes.

Creating a compelling sense of urgency and momentum for change in your career involves reflecting on and celebrating past successes. By acknowledging your achievements and understanding the patterns of success in your professional journey, you gain valuable insights into what propels you forward. Recognizing your strengths and the positive outcomes of your efforts serves as a motivational springboard for change. It's not just about embracing change for its own sake but leveraging the lessons from past victories to inform strategic career shifts. This celebratory reflection not only boosts confidence but also fuels the belief that you possess the capabilities to navigate change successfully.

Whatever you do, it should matter, to you, your family the planet, and in the best scenario all 3. Learning is one thing, but your actions everyday should help preserve life on this planet for everything we cherish. I wrote a book called Do What Matters - The Purpose Driven Career Guide, to help people navigate this path as this decade means more than ever for our shared future.

You’ve got this! SMART goals are crucial, including timeline with milestones and deadlines. Research your desired career fields, including job requirements and market trends, is crucial for informed decision-making. Building a strong collaborative network and supporting each others will provide motivation. Seeking guidance from mentors and support groups can offer valuable insights. A growth mindset and continuously learning help bridge any knowledge gaps and enhance your positioning. Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking calculated risks can lead to exciting opportunities. Remaining adaptable and resilient is essential, as career journeys are not linear. Pat yourself, on the back now, and again too! ?????

Tony Robbins Dickens Pattern. In envisioning I’ll use this technique to help the client live the outcomes. What this does is (1) Visualise the Goal (2) Then visualise years of no action (3) Associate with the pain of not achieving, stagnating etc (4) Wind it back to present moment (5) Disassociate with it (6) Redo exercise but as if they achieve it (7) Associate with the feeling and emotion of success What this does is firstly associated with every ounce of pain if NOT changing. Secondly, it then overpowers this by associating all positive feelings with the successful outcome

The concept of “Time Orientation “ . Every one should develop an intelligence to understand Time orientation. Learn from the past actions and inferences with respect to then time. Creating an Action plan with respect to the present time. Finally, predicting, visualizing and aspiring for the future actions with positive mind set and creating a Plan B for what if situations. We must remember today’s Predictions are tomorrow’s Actions Plan items.

Understand that every change represents a unique journey, and success is not confined to a specific timeline. Embrace the fluidity of the process, recognizing that the path to success unfolds at its own pace. Allow room for growth, learning, and adaptation, appreciating that the true measure of success lies in the transformative experiences encountered along the way, rather than adhering strictly to predetermined schedules.