| What's next in your career? |
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"It's like Forrest Gump said, 'Life is like a box of chocolates.' Your career is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get. But everything you get is going to teach you something along the way and make you the person you are today. That's the exciting part - it's an adventure in itself." ~ Nick Carter "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." ~ Thomas Edison The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today." ~ Elbert Hubbard In my last corporate job, I never had a minute to reflect on what I wanted next in my career. Except perhaps giving it cursory consideration just before the annual performance review discussion, when it was usually glossed over by my manager! So it was when I was on holiday that my thoughts often drifted to what I was tolerating and what I wanted next in my work. Holidays give you space and time for reflection that you don't normally have. A chance to consider what you want from the next stage of your life... and then take action if you wish to make some changes. Sometimes an opportunity is presented to you when you're least expecting it. More often than not it's something specific that prods you into taking action - a potential threat of some kind - like a new boss, a restructuring or takeover. Then you feel in a desperate hurry to resolve the situation, which may narrow your vision or choices and worse, convey that impression during the recruitment process. Needy is creepy - and very off-putting! Several people I know are coming back from holidays to a new job or work situation. They are looking forward to what's ahead, even if they are feeling a bit nervous about what it will be like in practice. A period of rest and recuperation and change of scenery bring renewed energy, so afterwards is a great time for a fresh start or project, whether it's school, college, uni, a new job, interest or stage in your life. Others of you will be dreading going back to the old routine - repetition, stagnation, lack of recognition - and yet it is familiar and probably comfortable in an uncomfortable sort of way! If you're in that situation, these 15 tips to kickstart your career might help. If you do what you always do, you'll get what you always got. So if you want to make a change, what will you do? A good place to start is to get clear about what you have to offer in your next role? What are your strengths, your skills? What do you want to be doing, where and with whom? Having clarity brings confidence. Just doing something different, like taking an improv class, gets you out of your comfort zone, improves your ability to think on your feet, you meet new people and it's great fun too. If you're really determined to take the next step towards the career you'd love, or know someone who is, I have two coaching spaces available. Contact me to apply for a complimentary in-depth conversation to see if we can get the ball rolling together. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it!
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