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Lately I've coached some people who are perfectly content in
their current leadership roles, yet they're thinking about their
future. They want to be more intentional about how they're
directing their career.
They admit they don't really know what lies ahead, but they
want to be ready to make the leap when opportunities arise.
The reality is most of us will have multiple careers over the
course of our lives. Whether you want to land a new job,
transition to a new career or start your own business, here
is some of my advice to help you shape your future:
Build your self awareness. The more you know about
yourself — what drives you, what you care about, what
your strengths are and how others perceive you — the
better decisions you'll make to find the best fit.
Look for clues. Study your past success — the experiences
you've had when you've been at your best, when you
accomplished something significant, or times when you've
been especially proud. You'll find patterns in your past
that you can replicate in the future.
Broaden your focus. Sometimes you may be too quick to
hone in on one possibility without considering a wide array
of options — especially if you're a good problem solver.
Be patient. Don't expect to figure things out overnight.
Envisioning your best future is a process. It even requires
being still (gasp!) sometimes. Speed is not the goal.
Seek satisfaction.
Identify future needs. Link what you do to future problems
you can solve or needs you can serve. Anticipate trends in
areas of your strongest interests. Talk to people in your field
of interest. It's the best way to learn. You'll be able to create
more value in your future role, career or business.
Nurture relationships. Relationship development is a best
practice. Even if you have clarity about your potential career
direction, it's your relationships with friends, colleagues,
peers and advocates that will help power you to reach your goal.
Now's the Time
This time of year is especially conducive for contemplating
your future. Perhaps you're spending more time relaxing with
family and friends. If you're taking some time off during the
summer, give yourself some "me time." Think about where
you really want to see yourself a few years down the road.
Consider the life you want to have, not just the work you
want to do. The two go hand in hand.
You'll need a dose of patience, discipline and courage.
Listen to your gut. Make decisions that make sense and
propel you in directions that are most rewarding.
Don't let winds of change blow you off your path. Ground
yourself by doing the foundational thinking work to keep
you steady — even in turbulent times. Create personal or
career change when you're ready.
PS: If you are not satisfied in your current role…
and you desire change, it's even more important to
take action NOW! Put yourself on a better path
– one step at a time.
Let me know the specific challenge or frustration
you're experiencing.
I'll share additional tips and suggestions in
another issue.
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