Sometimes, Going Backward Is The Best Way To Move Your Career Forward

Are you feeling stuck, figuratively and literally?

With the mandated shelter-in-place orders enacted for our collective safety, it’s hard not to be frustrated and antsy, especially if you’re someone who thrives on making progress.

The current quarantined environment presents us with a unique opportunity: an abundance of time to get acquainted with some important “re-” words.

The prefix “re-” means “again” or “back” to indicate repetition or backward motion.

In this way, “reset” means to go back, but it isn’t necessarily about losing ground. When you choose to reset, you’re able to return and begin again; it’s a fresh start.

Applied to your career, sometimes, the best way to move forward is to go backward; here’s how:

First, take time to reflect

Prior to the coronavirus crisis, you likely felt over-programmed and overworked with no time to think. Now is the perfect time to harness the power of the pause and take a break. Change your perspective to embrace the gift of giving yourself the time and space to think, feel, and experience as complementary, not contradictory to your career progress.

To maximize this period, slow down and carve out time in your calendar for quiet reflection. As you imagine the possibilities and make room for insights, pay attention to what bubbles up, noting how you’re feeling, your reactions, and any new ideas that arise. And be careful not to discount anything because it isn’t “perfect” yet. Reflection is about allowing yourself to ask, “What if?”

Next, refocus your efforts

After you’ve reflected, record and review your thoughts to see if any common themes emerge. Ask yourself how you can use your creativity to adapt those themes to the current climate. Listen to what your clients, customers, and colleagues are talking about amidst the COVID-19 crisis—what do they need, and how can you help? Now’s the time to refocus your efforts on looking for new opportunities that align your skillset or offering with current demand. 

To prevent you from becoming too scattered with your initiative, let clarity guide you. Simplify your offering and prioritize the activities that support it by focusing on what matters most and saying no to everything else.

Finally, re-engage by taking action

Once you’ve had time to reflect and refocus your efforts, create and execute a plan. Taking action is the antidote to fear, doubt, and anxiety—and stagnation. In these trying times, re-engaging by taking action helps move you closer to your goals, which spurs you on; action begets more action. 

Taking action has the added benefit of providing valuable information. Don’t let fear—of rejection, failure, or the unknown—prevent you from putting yourself out there. If you’re unsure about a new career direction, and not sure how to get started, taking action—even doing something as simple as reaching out to friends and mentors for advice—can give you feedback to proceed with your plan as is, or to make a necessary pivot.

In this new age of coronavirus, if you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. Like an arrow that can only be shot by pulling it backward, you, too, can make career progress by moving backward before launching yourself forward.

---

This article was first published on Forbes.com. Find it here, and Amy's other Forbes articles here.

---

?Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders craft their stories to communicate and connect better. Contact her if you'd like her help.?

Did you enjoy this article? Follow Amy to have all of her content delivered directly to your feed.