The Unbreakable Link Between Bravery and Career Change
Today, I'm hitting one of the most nuanced subjects for job seekers: career change.
In a world where many find themselves unhappy and unfulfilled in their current roles, this newsletter is a must-read. (See a recent Gallup poll indicating that "quiet quitters" make up at minimum 50% of the U.S. workforce).
To cover the topic, I did what I did best: podcast about it. You can find the full episode by clicking here.
About my guest:
Clara Chorley is a career strategist, thought partner, and trauma-informed personal coach who has been making waves since 2009. She has helped professionals from various backgrounds, spanning five continents and 48 countries, including humanitarian startups and Fortune 100 organizations. Clara is not just a TEDx presenter and author but also the creator of the Five D Framework on Navigating Career Change.
In other words: she's awesome.
Below you can read some of the key takeaways from our insightful conversation. Again, I highly recommend listening if you're going through a change yourself, but here is the highly abridged version.
The Clarity Conundrum
Clara kicks off the conversation by emphasizing the importance of clarity in your career journey. In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, knowing where you're headed next can provide a sanctuary of sanity.
It's crucial for your mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Clara highlights that many job seekers tend to rush into job applications without having a clear vision, often leading them right back to the roles they want to escape.
I too have seen this in my resume practice. Many job seekers know what they are running away from. And they want a resume that helps them get away from the boring [or insert negative adjective] position they're in now. But this is like starting off on the wrong foot.
Instead, Clara's advice is to seek clarity, but it doesn't have to be a daunting task. You don't need an exact blueprint; being clear enough is what matters.
When I sat with Clara, she suggested asking some simple questions:
The goal is to identify what truly matters to you, what brings you ease and contentment, and what you want to create with your life. The clarity piece sets the stage for the rest of your career journey, from crafting your LinkedIn profile to nailing that interview.
The Intersection of Bravery and Career Change
Now, let's turn the spotlight on bravery. I asked Clara to delve into the role of bravery in career change. Many of us are born into environments that may not align with our true selves, leading to internal and external conflicts.
Clara shares her personal journey, highlighting the courage it took to break free from societal expectations and forge her own path. (And believe me, she's lived a pretty exciting career so far, so she's example of this done correctly).
The societal landscape often pushes us toward a predefined version of success. In the U.S., it's often the corporate ladder-climbing, nine-to-five job with a retirement plan.
Clara reminds us that if this isn't you (e.g. ladder climbing), pursuing it can be detrimental.
True bravery, she suggests, is about questioning your internal and external environment and making choices that align with your authentic self.
However, Clara emphasizes that bravery isn't about making reckless leaps. It's about taking manageable steps, making choices that align with your true self, and feeling empowered internally.
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The more courageous decisions you make, the more energy, resilience, and creativity you gain. Bravery becomes an antidote to the depression, addiction, and suffering that often plague our lives.
Cultivating Bravery: Your Unique Journey
But how do you begin cultivating bravery, especially when you're grappling with fear and uncertainty? I asked this on the show, and Clara's answer is beautifully nuanced (the sign of a great career coach). The first step varies from person to person. For some, it's acknowledging that they need support.
For others, it's confronting financial realities or facing the truth about their current situation.
Admitting to yourself that something isn't working is an act of bravery in itself.
Clara reminds us that bravery isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. It's deeply personal and tied to your unique circumstances.
The key is to identify the areas in your life where fear and excitement intersect. These are the spaces where bravery resides. By taking small, brave steps, you begin to shift your internal landscape, leading to increased clarity and resilience.
The 5D Framework: Dream, Dare, Dive, Decide, Design
While we've only scratched the surface of Clara's transformative wisdom, we want to leave you with a taste of her 5D Framework, which guides individuals through the career transition process.
The five stages, Dream, Dare, Dive, Decide, and Design, offer clarity on where you are in your journey and what steps to take next. This framework isn't a linear path but serves as a helpful roadmap as you navigate your career change.
Clara takes us home toward the end of the episode with the 5'Ds.
In this segment of the episode, we explored the "Dream" stage, which focuses on clarifying your dream job or life path. It's about finding the intersection between what matters most to you, your skills, and your aspirations.
Clara's approach is practical and anxiety-reducing; she acknowledges that your dream doesn't have to be a grand, unreachable goal. It can be a clear, manageable step that pulls you toward a more fulfilling career.
Embrace Your Journey, Find Your Brave
In closing, Clara reminds us that wherever you are in your career journey, your thoughts and feelings are entirely normal. Don't beat yourself up for being uncertain or feeling stuck.
Instead, practice self-compassion and do something today that gets the ball rolling. Whether it's dancing, talking to a friend, or simply taking a moment to breathe, self-care is an essential step on your path to a more fulfilling career and life.
We hope you've enjoyed this deep dive into bravery, clarity, and career change with Clara Chorley. Remember, the journey toward your dream career is a path uniquely yours, filled with moments of courage and self-discovery. Keep listening, keep learning, and keep finding your brave. Your future self will thank you.
?? Listen to the Full Episode
For the complete conversation and to unlock the full potential of Clara's transformative insights, be sure to listen to the entire podcast episode. Discover how to embrace your bravery, clarify your dream, and navigate your career change with confidence.
Stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes and expert insights right here on the Career Warrior Podcast.
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I help senior leaders advance confidently into exciting mission-driven opportunities | 15+year Executive Career Coach | TEDx Speaker | Author: TURN
1 年Chris, I loved our conversation, and your write-up here is so complementary to what we talked about. Thank you for being a pro interviewer who knows how to bring out the best in his guests.
Your article could help alot many job seekers ??In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, knowing where you're headed next can provide a sanctuary of sanity.