Lately I’ve been dealing with the impending big change in my career direction. At first it’s challenging, scary, terrifying, but then that shifts.
As I start getting used to the idea, and start imagining a new future for myself, it becomes more real. As it becomes more real, I start talking it over with others, working through the issues in my mind.
Which makes it less unknown, less terrifying.
But then I start mapping out my new future, which is a very creative process. The whole world is open to me, limited just by my energy and imagination. Which is — dare I say it? — even inspiring. I love the creative process, so being in that mindset is fun and energizing.
Yes, it’s scary. I don’t know if I’ll pull it off. I don’t know what surprises are in store for me, either positive or negative. I’m not sure how this will affect my family and friends.
But once you step back from being terrified, just being unsure and scared is not bad. My challenge is to use that nervous energy to help build my vision for the future.
Are you terrified? How do you work through that so you can start using the energy constructively?
Thank you for sharing these experiences and ideas, Carl. One of the things I’ve always found most challenging is figuring out just *what* it is that I like doing, or might like doing, or am good at — and then how that could connect with a job. Do you have any techniques or suggestions for how a person can get a handle on who they are, and what direction they might consider taking?
Well yes, actually, SC. It’s something that I talk about in the book a bit. Here’s the basic outline.
First, focus exclusively on who you are. Four primary dimensions are:
– What you like
– What you don’t like
– What you’re good at
– What you’re not good at
List these out on a piece of paper and work on it until you’re feeling reasonably comfortable that it does indeed represent who you are.
Second, work on delving one or two levels down from that into what this means for your deeply held values and principles. For example, let’s say that you have a deeply held value of compassion for the disenfranchised. This would mean that you would probably be drawn toward activities where you can empathize with, and help, those people. You would probably be repelled by those who exercise power over the disadvantaged.
These are tougher to articulate, and that’s where having a discussion with a coach or trusted friend can be quite valuable – someone who can put their own biases aside and focus simply on helping you to puzzle through it in your own mind.
Third, work on understanding what others need. If you’re targeting a certain employer (like where you currently work), what is it that they need people to do? How will that be changing in the next few years? Who makes decisions like that?
Then think creatively – what needs does that organization have which have not yet been formed into jobs? What are the deeper needs that they have which are underlying the decisions that they’re making? What’s the value system – what gets rewarded?
Fourth, start working on the intersection between your own needs and the organization’s. In the beginning, just treat it as a playful exercise. Lots of creativity, no commitment. That will help stimulate some new thinking, and perhaps give you some surprises. You might end up targeting a job that you’d never thought of before, just because you’re missing a few of the technical qualifications. But those are typically easier to learn, and given time and motivation, can be addressed.
If you’re going in a direction because you recognize that you’ll ultimately be much happier, then you’ll be a lot more motivated to do the work it will take to get there!
Hey Carl…there you are!
Nice site you have here. How exciting that you’ll continue to make such a difference outside HP, as you have while you were at HP!
Good luck & enjoy.