Rethinking your career

Have you been rethinking your career??

Not quite sure if you want to stay doing the same thing or switch? Now is the time to reflect on what is important to you so you make the decision that works. Here are few ideas of what to think about before you join the great resignation.?

1.?????Consider taking more risk?

We’ve been taught to build our careers and not take risks. Just keep climbing the corporate ladder and you will find success. Well, we all know that since Covid this just isn’t true. The world has changed and it’s time to reconsider where we want to be in it. You deserve to do more than just survive. In order to move out of survival mode and into “thriving”, you need to take some time to know what truly motivates you and keeps you engaged. Do not focus on the money first. Instead, think about what career would you pursue if you knew you couldn’t fail? That’s the path that you should be taking.?

2.?????Overnight success takes about 10 years?

It’s unreasonable to think that you will be an immediate success. Most people work at their “craft” for many years before they are recognized.??Do not plan for an overnight success on YouTube, Instagram, or Tic Toc. In reality, it takes hard work, dedication, and a clear direction to achieve your goals. Little by little you make progress and succeed.?

3.?????Compete against yourself?

The secret to being successful is to always be improving. You won’t reach perfection but it will help you be better.??No matter who you are or where you are in your career, there will always be someone out there who seems to have more money or a better job. You need to be asking yourself do you feel fulfilled? If you are going in the right direction, continue down your current path.

4.?????Listen to your inner voice?

The key factor to your success is intuition. Of course, you need more than that, but intuition will help guide you. Get in the habit of taking a pause to listen to your inner voice. You have most of the information you need. You need to ask yourself the right questions such as: How do I feel? What else could I be doing to help move forward? What inner voices are holding me back?

5.?????One step at a time?

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Once you know your direction you need to start planning for how you are going to get there. For example, if you want to write a book –you can start with scheduling time to write every day, starting a journal, etc.??Most tasks when organized into smaller pieces are more manageable. You can do this. Share your goals with someone to help you be accountable.?

6.?????Identify??achievable goals

Setting realistic expectations will help you to achieve even the most ambitious dreams. Begin by identifying some of the interim “success” factors and then go back to figure out how you can apply SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). Using SMART will make it easier to clarify your goals, define the actions steps, and make them obtainable.

7Build??your career to your strengths and values

You need to know what your values are before you set up your career goals. For instance, if your number one priority is work-life balance then taking a job with 80% travel won’t fit. Do you feel uncomfortable in an environment with lots of friction? Then a career as a lawyer isn’t right for you.Create a list of your values and prioritize them as you consider different career options.?

8.?????Get feedback from friends/associate?

You won’t have a lot of career success without understanding your “secret” sauce and how other people perceived you. Talk to friends, coworkers, and bosses and get their input on how they view you. What do they think your strengths and weaknesses are? What do people compliment you on? This exercise usually uncovers natural gifts that are so engrained you have stopped seeing them. Enlist the help of a coach or mentor. Having an outside perspective will help you understand your hidden talents.

9.?????Control your inner critics?

Most people have voices in their heads that tell them they aren’t smart enough, not attractive enough, and not capable. We all have them. Instead of letting the inner critics have their day, you need to face them and move ahead anyway. Fear is a natural part of life, and making a career change causes more fear. Know that you can do this and you’re going to be fine.?

10.?Choose a career based on “fit”?

When I work with clients I have them build a spreadsheet of all the things that are important to them in a career. Part one is about the job itself- the scope of work, the team they work with, what they need to accomplish. Part two is about the company culture- how are people treated, who gets promoted, what values are important to the company, do they provide training, etc.??Part Three is about compensation: it’s the base salary, bonuses, benefits, vacation, long-term incentives, etc. Part 4 has to do with the company overall: is it growing, will they be cutting staff or merging, what is the longer-term prognosis? Once you have a “balanced” scorecard you can easily rate one job opportunity against another.??Money is certainly a part of the equation but being sure you are in a place that values you and your skills, will lead to longer-term career satisfaction. What is most important is creating a life that has meaning for you not living the life someone else “expects” you to live.?

What else do you think is important? Who helped you develop your career plan???

Darcy Bevelacqua, Executive Recruiter, and Career Coach