This Is Why Now Is The Perfect Time For A New ‘Career Season’

We’ve officially entered Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ve also transitioned from the third to the fourth quarter, with about 43 days left in 2020.

For some, this change of season is welcome news. For others, it incites panic, especially when the professional plans they had and the goals they hoped to achieve didn’t come to fruition.

But rather than get caught up in what you haven’t accomplished in this unusual year, I’d like to suggest that you reframe your remaining time in 2020 as a new ‘career season.’

Like Spring or Winter, career seasons are time-specific and aligned with what’s happening in the environment. Certain things occur naturally during those periods that, when attempted at other points in the year, would prove more difficult (or nearly impossible). For instance, when faced with COVID-related cancellations earlier this year, every hopeful keynote speaker had to move away from a season of in-person speaking engagements to another season that better suited the current climate.

But career seasons aren’t only dictated by the environment; they’re also ruled by your strengths, desires, and expertise. Someone with decades of corporate experience might decide that their new career season involves striking out on their own. Conversely, a young solopreneur might elect to make their next career season about gaining valuable soft skills by joining a team-based company.

Though it’s been unpredictable, 2020 has demonstrated, again and again, that anything can happen. Use that to your advantage by taking this opportunity to transform and begin a new ‘career season.’ Here’s how:

First, reflect on your current and past seasons.

When one season moves into another, there is always a transition period, and the same is true of career seasons. Before you can try something new, it’s helpful to first reflect on your recent experiences. What are/were your work environments, and what are/were you doing? Do they still suit your interests, and are you progressing toward your goals? What’s worked and what has not? What do/did you enjoy, and what would you rather do less?

When you examine past seasons, patterns and preferences will emerge. You’ll see how and with whom you spent your time, and if that was energizing and positive, permitting you to grow, or draining and negative, causing you to stagnate or worse, take a few steps backward. You’ll also realize what transferable skills were consistently in demand, and when you felt most alive. These are all clues that point to what your next career season should include.

Next, determine how your new career season will serve you and others.

We’re living in working in unprecedented times, which have forced us to pivot from our routines. But change can be good if we choose to see it that way. If your current career season no longer suits you or your environment, you have the opportunity to transition to one that does.

When considering your next career season, think about how it will serve you and others. Listen to what your clients, customers, and colleagues are talking about amidst the COVID-19 crisis—what do they need, and what are they struggling with? Ask yourself how you can align your skillset, experience, and desires with current demand. Putting your talents to their highest and best use will help you feel fulfilled—and provide value to others.

Finally, craft a story that supports your new career season.

When you’re beginning a new career season, it can be tempting to lean into the familiar by talking about what you’ve always done. The problem? If something is no longer relevant, it’s muddying your message and will confuse— or lose—your intended audience. Instead, let clarity be your friend and be ruthless about paring down your messaging to support what you do now, not what you’ve done. Find a common thread that weaves together your experience and aligns and supports your new offering and positioning. Remember, it’s not about you; it’s about making it easy for potential employers and clients to understand how you can help and solve their problem.

Properly crafted, your story helps differentiate you from your competitors, highlight your value, and draw others to you. And being able to clearly articulate your story—especially as you move into a new career season—is invaluable.

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

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?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.?

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