Finding “Next” in Your Career is an Agile Project
If you know exactly what you want to do for the next stage of your career, consider yourself fortunate.
For many, the drive to do something new and different is blunted by the inability to answer the “What?” or “Where?”
“I know I want to do something different; I’m just not sure what that would be?”
Or, “I would love to find a place that values my skills and experience and gives me the necessary flexibility to fit with my life. I’m just not sure where that will be.”
Don’t Make This Mistake:
I struggled with these same issues when I transitioned careers in 2006. And, wow, did I make some mistakes along the way!
Instead of a disciplined research approach followed by careful experimentation, I just tried things. (In fairness, I did many cool things, such as writing a book, starting to teach at the MBA level, and consulting, but none were quite right for my focal point, life priorities, and income needs.)
I was all activity and no vector. I burned a lot of cycles and spread myself too thin.
A Deliberate Process to Minimize Risk and Maximize Learning
Armed with this personal experience, when a client asked me to help them with their career transition project, I defined a more systematic approach to minimize flailing, de-risk the project, and help individuals explore and experiment until they got their “next” right. I call the process the Career Reinvent Framework (you can read about it here), and working through the framework is effectively an agile project.
When you work through this deliberate, iterative process, you cast a wide net for possible options, filter them based on your current life priorities and work criteria (financial needs, work-life fit, time horizon, etc.), and then carefully test the best ideas for fit. If an idea doesn’t work out at the “experiment” stage, you bring up your next-in-line idea and carefully design a test to see if it meets your criteria.
Instead of guessing or flailing, you work carefully and deliberately, iterating where necessary while designing a “next” that fits you and your life priorities.
The Bottom Line for Now:
For any career shift project, treating it as an agile project is imperative, allowing for ample learning and testing of the ideas. Following a process like the one defined by the Career Reinvent Framework will enable you to explore, experiment, and ultimately, decide on the “next” that is right for you at this stage of your life and career.
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If finding your “next” is a priority, join our April Six-Hour Career Energize Program and kick off this important project using the Career Reinvent Framework and tools. Group sessions plus an e-resource portal, detailed guidance, and ongoing support. ($197). We have a great cohort brewing and would love to have you involved with us! LEARN MORE AND REGISTER.
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