Making a plan that takes into account what you need, what you want and the changes you are likely to encounter along the way
Suit: You outside the organisation
Chances are what got you to where you are in life now is a healthy mix of luck, faith and a few brilliant decisions you made along the way. But whether you love where you are at or want to aim for different goals, it’s always a good idea to sit down and write down what you want out of your work, and life, over the coming years.
Because whilst at Let’s Talk Talent we are big fans of being agile, flexible and open to change, we’re not advocating being adrift and leaving everything to chance either. Determining your goals means manifesting what you want to happen within your personal and professional lives and, more importantly, setting about activating it whilst remaining open to new opportunities that may present themselves along the way.
This is where tools such as the career wheel (you can see an example of a career wheel in this blog) can help you articulate your goals. Ask yourself what you need from your life. Are you looking to get a certain amount of money so you can buy a home? Then counter that with what you want. Are you hoping to spend more time at home with the family? Do you need more autonomy and trust within your role? It’s important to include both your work and life plan in this exercise as one might greatly influence the other. You may end up turning down a promotion because it would take you away from your family, or you may find your current organisation more aligned with your personal values.
So make a plan and write down your absolute must-haves, add in what you want and find out what you need to activate to get there. Set small goals and review them along the way. But trust in the process and be open to change. After all, even Arnie changed direction a few times, going from bodybuilder to actor to politician. And if the Terminator is reviewing his career goals on a regular basis to ensure they match his current lifestyle and values, we could probably all do with a bit of a life planning exercise.
Keep an eye out for the next blog in this series on using our card deck.
I’ll be back.
Career Coaching Cards: Explained
This is a new series of blog posts, that explain our Career Coaching cards in more depth.
Our deck of cards contain 52 questions that help guide better career conversations and connect more with the individuals you’re having these conversations with. Each week we are releasing a question from our deck with a little more information about why we think this question is a good question and what you are looking to get out of it when you ask it.
Career Sprints
Developing your employees is not only building the workforce you’ll need post-pandemic, but also supporting the current wellbeing and development of your employees. Keeping your workforce engaged and developing during these difficult times is a key element to your business success during the current and future environments.
Now is the time to offer more significant career development that supports and encourages your people to explore a variety of career opportunities in your organisation, rather than just one.