Don't Chase, Hunt

I don't know about you, but based on my own experience as well as talking and listening to ExecuNet members over the years, many of us seem to spend a heck of a lot of their time reacting as opposed to 'proacting'. Worse, by the time we realize that there is something to react to, we rush into an "action" mode before really thinking through what we want to do, why we want to do it, and how we want to do it. We seem overly focused on doing something NOW. 

When it comes to making a career change, however, be that change driven by a 'we want to' or a 'we have to', we tend to follow similar patterns and react in the same mode and start running around doing things before stepping back and getting things organized. 

Said differently, we want this "fixed" and "fast." Understandable for sure, but not without its pitfalls, chief among which can be a shotgun approach to the marketplace. 

It is so easy. Log in and launch your resume around the world and wait for the phone to ring and the emails to pour into your inbox. [Sometimes referred to as the click and pray strategy] In truth, some people actually do end up with some interviews and job offers as a result, but if you were a betting person, this avenue would not be where you would bet the ranch. In the vast majority of cases, it all becomes very frustrating very fast, not to mention the depression that can easily come from the silence.

So what's a better use of your time? Answer: Look for opportunities that allow you to bring the expertise you have to help solve problems about which you really care.

Obviously only you know what qualifies as "really care" but of this, you can be sure. There are plenty of organizations, for-profit and otherwise who are working every day to deliver products and/or services that deal with things about which you "really care" and finding them is not as hard as you might think, especially with the wonders of the Internet. With the right kind of focus, it can be an information-gathering bonanza. 

And here's one other key item to consider in the "hunt" - if you don't see things in the present, then look to what's coming down the road and focus on bringing your expertise and passion to those organizations who are already in the process of addressing the needs of emerging issues and the opportunities represented therein.  

Need some help in getting your imagination started as to what some of these things might be? The resources are so many your challenge might be to limit how many you are going to look to so that you actually have the time to build on the ideas that come out of your reading and research.

Here's one for starters: It is a site called Trendwatching   They describe themselves as "...an independent and opinionated trend firm, scanning the globe for the most promising consumer trends, insights, and related hands-on business ideas." It is, in my view, a very apt description. Yes, it is a for-profit enterprise, but they also, have some newsletters and/or daily insights at no charge. 

Bottom line: When it comes to making a change, and to state the obvious, the reality is that “nobody cares about you more than you” and as such, it is in your best interest to be proactive with a purpose. 

Technology to the contrary notwithstanding, the world is not likely to come to you.