4 Career Planning Strategies

I had an interesting conversation the other day with someone struggling with her current role.  She knew she needed a change, but also remarked many times during our conversation that “I should be happy here.”
 
On the surface her job was a great fit for her.  She had flexible working hours, and really enjoyed the people with whom she was working, but there was something missing.  She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
 
She was able to get in touch with it through our conversation, recognizing that she had changed a lot over the last five years, and her job had not.  She had outgrown many of her tasks, but was afraid of inviting chaos into her life by seeking out bigger assignments and more accountability.
 
She just didn’t see how she could have the type of work she wanted AND keep balance in her life.  She truly believed that to take more on, she would have to sacrifice something she valued.

Hot Tip #1, you never have to trade what you need for what you want in your career
 
Another client I spoke to knew he needed to move up or out of his current job, but with the uncertainties of COVID he didn’t think now was a good time to change jobs (within his current company or to another).  He didn’t know how to virtually build the relationships he would need to do well at his next job.
 
He also mentioned several times how grateful he was to have a good job.  He said it in a wistful way that implied if it were a crap job it’d be easier to make the decision he needs to for his career wellbeing. 

Hot tip #2, career change isn’t always comfortable, but it doesn’t have to be excruciating
 
Have you had similar thoughts lately?
 
It’s difficult to consider leaving a role that suits you really well (or leave a great employer).  In fact, you may not have to.  It’s intimidating to think you may have to leave your comfort zone to get more of what you want, but there are options that support change without sabotaging what you have today.
 
Here are some things to think about if you are putting off your career growth needs with “I should be happy” thinking:

• As the saying goes… “If all you have is hammer, everything looks like a nail.” (Abraham Maslow) when you see the advantages to staying where you are, compromising your growth and career trajectory seems like a small price to pay.  Think of it this way, you don’t actually have to make any changes to explore what change could look like for your career.  You have lots of tools at your fingertips, and exploration is a safe option for seeing what else is possible.  Just because you are on a “diet” doesn’t mean you can’t look at the menu…

 

• Growth is at the edge of your comfort zone.  This is both intimidating and exciting, and it’s easy to talk yourself out of making changes that feel big and uncertain.  So, don’t.  Taking big changes and break them up into smaller steps helps make this more manageable, allowing you more control along the way.  Need an example?  You may be interested in working in a different department at your current organization, but boldly asking for a job there feels inauthentic.  Instead, make time to network with the people who work there.  Get to know more about the work they do and how they feel about it.  Let them get to know you.  Then, if it feels right, make your intentions known.

 

• Should-ing.  This is a real thing, it’s when you say “I should do this...”, “I should do that…”.  Basically it’s a passive aggressive way to shred your confidence.  Be mindful of the number of times you “should” yourself, and keep a tally.  If you are doing this a lot during the day, make a list of all of your accomplishments so far (big and small).  You’ve come a long way in life and that is no accident – you’re an amazing person, a great employee and people are lucky to have you in their life.  Stop “should-ing” yourself.

 

• You need a plan.  The biggest thing holding professionals back from leveraging their potential and moving their careers forward in ways that are meaningful is the lack of planning.  Do you have a plan for your career?  Much like you needed a plan for completing your education, becoming a home owner, etc. you need a plan for your career.  You may have drifted into job opportunities and things worked out, but that leaves a lot to chance.  Take control of your destiny and plan where you want to go in your career so you can have everything you need to love your working life.

 
Gratitude is important, but when it becomes a reason not to make a change you need, it’s no longer gratitude.  There will always be reasons to stay where you are that make good sense, but if you are not happy then that needs to become your priority.
 
You don’t have to rush into anything you are not comfortable doing, and there are advantages to sitting back and seeing what it is you want to do with your one precious life before jumping into change.
 
You only get to go on this ride once, make it count.

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