Unlock Your Next Chapter - What You Need to Know

Unlock Your Next Chapter - What You Need to Know

Over the past few months, I have had many people on LinkedIn reaching out to me to seek advice on what's like to take the plunge from corporate. Some of you have been in corporate roles for decades and now in search of pursuing a purpose-filled vocation. Some of you were involuntary laid off and taking this opportunity to recalibrate on what to do next.

I have decided to compile the list of commonly asked questions and make this edition an interview format. So here's the stories on what it take to make that transition.

  1. What was the initial spark that ignited your decision to embark on a new chapter?

After 25 years in corporate, I realized I was craving something more fulfilling. The idea of an "encore career" resonated with me, offering a chance to use my experience in a way that would make a tangible impact. There was a growing sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo, and a desire to explore new avenues that aligned more closely with my values and passions. At that time, I wanted to publish a book and I used that opportunity to write something that I care about (helping people navigate the uncertainties and be future ready). So I decided to take a year off to focus on writing my book. My book was published in November 2022. Months before that I started doing pre-marketing of my book. The teaser campaign created awareness on the future of work and possible disruptions. My book launch coincided with the Big Tech layoffs and the launch of ChatGPT which accelerated the disruptions. I started getting calls from clients for coaching. Organisations were also reaching out to me to deliver keynotes as well as to run workshops for their leaders to embrace the new mindset. That book launched my encore career.

Note: You don't need to write a book to launch a new career. Writing a book happened to be on my bucket list. There are many ways you can craft a new career and narrative.

2. Can you describe the most significant challenges you encountered during the transition process, and how did you overcome them?

Suddenly, I realised I had so many options. With a wealth of experience and adjacent skills acquired, there are many problems I wanted to solve. The first year was undoubtedly the most challenging. It was a whirlwind of exploration, networking, and experimenting with different opportunities. The constant switch between various roles and projects led to burnout. To overcome this, I realized the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. I also focused on identifying my core strengths and passions, which helped me narrow down my focus.

3. How did you balance your personal life with the demands of transition?

Learning to say "NO" is an important skill. It helped that by the 2nd year of transition, I was able to position myself and find a differentiating value proposition. I scanned the market to understand where the competition is. My corporate experience has given me the handles to identify opportunities and help me create my blue ocean.

I help leaders and organisations reinvent for the future of work. This helps me filter work that are not aligned to my positioning. It also gives me the overarching theme to create new solutions.

For example, in my first year I did a lot of 1 on 1 coaching, by the second year, I transited to group coaching. One of my flagship progam - "Unlock Your Next Chapter" is created to help professionals like me to navigate transitions more smoothly. This helps me manage my time and still be able to serve more clients.

The New Chapter

4. What specific steps did you take to acquire the necessary skills or knowledge for your new career path?

I invested in continuous learning. I pursued certifications like SoundWave, DISC Lego Serious Play Facilitation to enhance my coaching and facilitation skills. One of my greatest achievement was achieving 1,000 coaching hours and receiving my professional coaching certification.

I attended workshops, and networked extensively with professionals in my target industries.

Leveraging my marketing background, I focused on building a strong personal brand and online presence to showcase my expertise. In the first 2 years, I focused on establishing myself as the thought leader. That paved the way to more opportunities.

5. Looking back, what advice would you give to others considering embarking on a new chapter.

Now that I have successfully embarked on a new chapter, I know what it takes. It may look effortless but behind the scene, there is a lot of uncertainty and experimentations. Not to mention the anxiety and imposter syndrome I felt along the way.

My advice is to be patient with yourself and embrace the uncertainty. It's essential to have a clear understanding of your motivations and goals. Building a strong support network is invaluable. And finally, don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore new opportunities.

Embarking on a transition is a journey, not a sprint.

That's why I am running a cohort based program "Unlock Your Next Chapter" to journey with you so that you can make smarter decisions.

You will save the time and money (investing in learning every new thing or getting yourself certified on new programs without knowing your direction). With clarity your transition will be a lot smoother.

DM me if you are looking for support in your transition. Or here's the eventbrite link that you register.

https://shorturl.at/xh0GT

Success is action. Take action now.Welcome to the Reinvention!

About Adeline Tiah

I am an author, coach and a leading voice on the future of work. A big advocate of reinvention and founder of Soar Collective Asia (Soarcollective.asia ). I am also a co-founder/CMO of an ESG/AI startup (ESG-MD Ventures). Follow TROM.AI? for latest update on AI development and solutions.

Live Limitless. Lead Limitless.

#futureofwork #careerdevelopment #lifelonglearning #reinvent #growth

#womanintech

That point about being patient and being OK with uncertainty is spot on. And the continuous learning is non negotiable. And the most important attribute? Resilience. Because sometimes it can really be a rollercoaster.

Avni Martin

Rewriting Our Past, Present & Future | Refining Our Thoughts and Actions | Delivering World-Class Coaching, Training and Keynote Speeches | ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) | Founder of Wasambe

3 个月

Thank you for sharing your journey and insights on unlocking your next chapter, Adeline. It's great to see how you've navigated the challenges of transitioning from corporate to a purpose-filled vocation. It resonates as I also did the same transition.?The interview format for your next cohort sounds a great idea, and I'm sure it will provide valuable guidance for many professionals looking to make a change. All the best with the workshop!?

Jeff Loo

Driving Sustainable Innovation | Green Finance | ex-Sembcorp | Carbon Accounting | Lecturer, Mentor | Digital Transformation | Seeking Impactful Opportunities in Sustainability

3 个月

Thanks for sharing. Adeline Tiah 謝善嫻

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Aarti Mundae

Mental Health Advocate ?? ?? | Founder & Lead Psychotherapist at Incontact | Your partner in personal and professional growth using holistic and intuitive mental health techniques.

3 个月

Thank you, Adeline, for this list. I'm sure it'll help many who're considering taking the plunge from corporate. I would add one more to the list I commonly encounter with my clients—"How do you effectively cope with the fear of failure or the anxiety that comes with leaving a stable corporate job?" My advice is to: 1) Embrace uncertainty and view it as an opportunity for growth. Leaving a corporate job can be daunting, but fear is a natural response to change. 2) Breaking down goals into smaller, manageable steps to regain a sense of control and reduce overwhelm. And celebrate small wins along the way. 3) Prioritize mental health during this transition. Engage in self-care activities like meditation, exercise, or hobbies that nourish your mind and body.? Adeline Tiah 謝善嫻, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What strategies do you recommend to your clients for managing the emotional challenges of leaving a corporate environment and embracing a new chapter?

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Ooi Lay Tin

Regional Director (Ex), Marketing/Student Recruitment/Branding Specialist - Higher Education

3 个月

I have always liked FAQ as it gets to the point quickly, Adeline Tiah 謝善嫻 . Many will benefit from your sessions. I have moved on.... too, with much new exposure & learning to do.

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