Career Development - When Its Time for a Change


There's a certain courage required to hear your gut. To really be true to how you are feeling. And that is never more important than in your career. Sometimes people feel that they are not completely happy. At other times they might have a sense of distance from the business or organisation they are in.

This lack of 'alignment' makes for discomfort - and many people listen to it for the whole of their careers (and lives) and yet never truly hear it.

So what are the clues that can help us realise that if change is in the air, it is a good thing, rather than something to fear? Here are 19 things to look out for:-

  • You feel bored
  • You actually yawn a lot
  • You get irritated easily
  • You find yourself daydreaming (maybe even looking out the window)
  • You get excited when something out of the ordinary happens
  • Each year feels repetitive
  • You get in late
  • You get sick a lot
  • Cynicism about your orgaisation starts to increase
  • You team up with your own people against the organisation
  • You have a sense of being 'locked in'
  • You see others progress and wonder why
  • Sunday evenings are filled with dread
  • Some jobs are really hard to bring yourself to
  • Cycles repeat themselves (about 5-yearly)
  • 'Grumpy' is a description you overhear about yourself
  • You lose faith in 'head office' (often)
  • 'Things ain't what they used to be'
  • You find yourself muttering to yourself a lot (though this might be an age thing too!)

    So what to do about it.

    Firstly - recognising that your career is in a rut is a big step - so consider yourself lucky that you spotted it and took stock.
    Secondly - realise that you do have choices. You always have choices - and only you can make them - no-one else.
    Thirdly - think through what options you have in your existing job or role - all may not be lost, you might have options which suit who you really want to be, in exactly the organisation you are in - just get thinking and above all, get creative about it.
    Fourthly - consider what you love doing in your life; read the job sections and seek out jobs that truly appeal, however unlikely they might seem for you. Ask yourself what captures your imagination about them - tease it out (use the 'Why's' tactic in "Solve Problems Permanently - Ask WHY")
    Fifthly - consider how you can leverage your existing role to enable you to reach a longer-term goal of a sort of job you like - what is already there that you can utilise.
    Finally - create an escape plan, with timescales to get to where you really do want to be - it may have a couple of steps - but that's just great. It adds to the fun!

    For a bit more help about changes of direction, try out What Color is Your Parachute?, especially the 'skills as verbs' section (aka values!) - details on the webpage in the clickthrough at the bottom.

    Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com/career_development.html.

    ...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Gain the Job Interview Advantage with Top Tips from Body Language Expert Gil ...
    MarketWatch (press release)
    "Having worked in the careers/employment industry for more than 30 years, I know that many job seekers inadvertently sabotage their own searches because they don't understand the messages that their body language communicates," said Wendy Enelow, ...

    and more »


    Post-Bulletin

    Heard on the Street: Preston's back in the support game
    Post-Bulletin
    Look for him to soon re-launch the series of weekly meetings featuring local business leaders (and even an occasional journalist — I'll be talking in mid-February) speaking about careers, employment and the Rochester scene. While he is still working ...



    Jamaica Gleaner

    Red Stripe widens view on Premier League
    Jamaica Gleaner
    "It can only augur well for the development of careers, employment, business development, community unity and nation building. I want to endorse and big up Red Stripe. This is a bold move on behalf of Red Stripe, and Monday night I will certainly be at ...

    and more »


    Wanted: Optician, Educational Advocate, Bank Branch Manager
    Patch.com
    Please do your own research about any potential employer you apply to. About this column: A look at what companies are hiring in St. Charles County. Know of an opening? Let us know. Related Topics: Careers, Employment, Help Wanted, and Jobs.

    and more »

    Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2006