By Leslie MacNeill, Senior Consultant
Many of us have experienced change in various aspects of our lives. Transitions encompass both predictable and unpredictable changes.
Every moment of change, whether it’s driven by our own accord or unwillingly selected for us, is an opportunity for personal transformation and a chance to take advantage of new career possibilities.
Regardless of where you currently stand in your career, there is an opportunity to reconnect to yourself and take stock of what matters most to you and to identify those elements that have brought you genuine fulfillment.
Take some time to identify your values, interests, skills, unique talents, and where you believe you have made the most impact and transformation.
So, where do you start?
Self-assessment
Don’t wait for someone to tell you what you are good at – and it’s not their responsibility to figure it out for you!
Self-assessments provide a refreshing opportunity to heighten self-awareness, reconnect with aspects of yourself that you know to be true, and identify the transferrable, technical, and soft skills you possess that may be dormant or have yet to be explored.
What are some traits you can leave behind?
Career change is a deeply personal experience and is unique to your circumstances. It can bring elements of fear as you navigate the unknown and confront your limiting beliefs.
It’s difficult to leave something behind when the future is uncertain. And it’s essential to reflect on your previous work environments, identify your technical proficiencies, recognize the workplace culture that aligns with your values, and understand what elements have served you well.
Self-reflection can help identify aspects of your work that may have been given insufficient attention.
Is there a need for a refresher to upskill? Is there an opportunity for improvement in interpersonal communication? Is there potential for leadership development, or are there strategies to highlight current strengths and abilities? Are you future-ready?
Use the power of this pause as an opportunity to learn from these experiences and consider how these situations may help provide clarity as you explore new areas, adjust your perspective, and create your unique personal and professional impact.
Overcoming limiting beliefs
Limiting beliefs can restrict your potential and impose limitations as you pursue your goals and objectives.
These limiting beliefs can come from our lived experiences and the shared experiences of others.
Limiting beliefs can hinder your progress by impacting your ability to think critically, reflect, and create a safe space to plan.
It’s important to reflect on who you are spending the most time with.
Are you surrounded by a positive network of supportive individuals, such as career coaches? Do you have a healthy network?
Do you participate in forward-thinking community groups?
Does your support person/people approach issues with evidence-based hindsight that can provide helpful foresight for you to connect with new contacts and opportunities?
These positive influences can help create excitement and momentum around your exploration!
Articulate what you want so that others can help
Articulate what you want in a new role, from the level of leadership, the specific title, the responsibilities, the skills you will use, and the industries you are aligned with.
Decisions that you have made in your life, such as selecting a life partner, your vacation destination, the restaurant you would like to dine at, or any major purchase, require reflection and analysis.
Clarity paints a picture for the listener, employer, or coach to support, refer to, connect with, and provide helpful resources to help you get closer to what you want.
Work with a career coach who provides a safe space to explore creatively, functions as a sounding board and acts as an accountability partner for proposed ideas to leverage exploration tools to help you get closer to your goals.
Career transition is an opportunity to shine brighter than you could have imagined.
It takes discipline, accountability, vulnerability, and courage to let others know you are on the market and ready to make an impact in a new role.
Career transition is an opportunity to develop resilience, confidence, and build lasting connections within your network, demonstrating that you have what it takes to drive positive change both within yourself and in a new organization.