I have a number of clients at the moment who are either looking to change career or go back to work after a career break. I love being a part of their journey of self discovery as I help them try to figure out what it is they want to do and then create a plan for how to get there.
If you are struggling to figure out what it is you want to do, begin by answering the following questions at the end of each day for around a month:
- What did I have the most enthusiasm for today?
- Was there any time today when I lost track of time and if so, what was I doing and what skills was I using?
- What questions was I trying to find answers to today?
- What issues really held my interest today?
- Who was I today?
During this period of self discovery many people think that they should be able to identify one career that is right for them and I am often asked why I want them to come up with a Plan B.
The thing is, in today’s world of rapid change, having one plan may not be enough. We must always have alternatives in mind: alternative careers, alternative places of work, alternative styles of work, and alternative ways of earning an income, even alternative products/services to offer our customers.
With this in mind, I try to follow a similar approach to the authors of No One Is Unemployable:
- try to develop up to 3 options or possibilities of what you would like to do (use the list of questions above to help),
- create a list the pros and cons of each of the 3 options,
- begin exploring the option that you believe ‘fits’ you the best.
There are no mistakes to be made here as taking time to explore one option at a time, even if the one you ultimately choose to follow is not the first one you look in to, gives you the opportunity to learn more about that option, and about yourself, before you reject it.
Having a Plan B doesn’t mean that you still don’t know what the right career option is for you. What it means instead is that you are either better prepared for whatever may come your way in the future or are prepared to take a different role as a stepping stone toward your ideal career.
In fact, there is a lot of truth in the saying,
“The time to begin your next job-hunt is the day you begin your present job”.
There is no such thing as a job for life anymore and I believe it is always important to be continually prepared to grab any opportunity that may come your way.
Do you have a plan in place for what you are going to do next?
© Anne Galloway
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Anne Galloway is the Careers Consultant for those who want to put the fun and passion back into their working week. Find out how Anne can help you along your path to career success at www.power-to-change.eu
