When was the last time you really paid some serious attention to your career? I don’t mean idly scanning the internet, or thinking to yourself you could do something different but you don’t actually do anything? In times of economic slowdown it’s even more important to be thinking seriously about your job. Well, actually at any time it’s important to take charge of your career. No one, repeat, no one, cares about it as much as you do.
Are You Career Resilient?
Research shows that successful people are ‘career resilient’; they take charge of their own learning and development and are ready to reinvent themselves to keep pace with change. Heaven knows, the world has seen a few changes over the last few years. Are you on the zeitgeist for your field?
Some of the most successful women I know have made a significant investment in their own career. They get themselves on courses, sign up for online webinars, keep pace with new developments in their industry. They are generally engaged and enthusiastic about what they do every day.
I’m a fan of LinkedIn. Don’t just post your details, be active, talk to people. Use it to benchmark yourself by checking out other people’s profiles. If you follow organisations it’ll give you an insight into industry changes and you can link with people of influence in those companies. You should do this whether you’re looking for a new role or not. You never know what is around the corner…
Your Training, Your Development
Some of the least happy women I’ve worked with have been despondent that work doesn’t support and help their development and training. It becomes a kind of Catch 22; they want to move on but are bemoaning the fact that their current employer doesn’t help. Fine, they don’t, accept that fact and don’t waste energy being cross about it. Lots are not helpful or even able to help.
That’s when you have to take control.
Sometimes it will cost you in terms of time, or/and money. But think about the rewards further down the line. A new job at a new salary may mean you make back anything you spend within the first month. (I think they call that a cost benefit analysis…)
Be Prepared To Change
In your career lifetime you may have several different types of career and business. Young professional, to homemaker, part time work perhaps, professional woman, senior management, or international entrepreneur? Keep yourself open to all possibilities.
Women have a ‘less than straightforward career path‘ says the Institute of Leadership and Management, which is another way of saying we have babies. I had two and I loved being a Mum but make no mistake, babies derail women’s careers. At best most of us go sideways for a bit and at worst, we never get back in at the status we left. Plan for it. Talk about it with your significant other. Look at the track record of companies you work for. Don’t leave it until you are pregnant as the hormones will do for you.
Try This Exercise
Try this exercise. Close your eyes, and allow yourself to relax. Breathe out (through your nose if you can) as long as is comfortable and you will take in a much deeper breath as a result. Now, imagine that you are coming home from work in a year from now. You have just had the best of working days for you. You are so thrilled, so happy and fulfilled. What has happened to make it so great? In your mind’s eye see yourself going through your day in your brilliant new job and make a mental note of what is happening. Where it it happening? Who is there? Try ths for five or six minutes.
As you bring yourself back to the present, take a pen and jot down anything that has come to you. Dare to dream that you CAN have the working life you want. You just need to know what it is and then you can make a start.
Help With Your Career
If you have time take a look at my shop; I have lots to help you with your career ranging from free, to £9.99 for DreamBig to £429.00. If nothing else, have a go at the visualisation (the free thing), and see what your subconscious tells you. It’s your career, be in charge because no one cares about it as much as you do.
RenewYou, My Tried and Tested Career Booster!
RenewYou has helped thousands of women make positive and lasting change in their lives. I deliver it one-to-one as part of a bespoke coaching package for women looking to move into leadership, to progress their career, or who wish to be the absolute best version of themselves.
Posted on January 19th, 2022 by Jane
