 Have you been thinking about this career pivot for a while? Maybe you explored positions within your company? Did some research about opportunities beyond what you are doing now. Or even sent out a few applications here and there - “putting the feelers out” How long ago was that. How long have you been aware that it is time for the next big move in your career? What is the hold up?
It is human nature to start and stop, start and stop, when reaching for a goal. Especially when navigating toward a big goal. Some of us have been soaring in our careers and are reaching for higher highs. Some are ready to define our next career move on our own terms. Others may find themselves motivated to take action from a place of discomfort or desperation - or the NEED for more. I am going to assume that you have already done the work and are clear on your goal. And if you are not, then start there. WHAT is it you want and WHY do you want to get there? If you are struggling with answering these questions, then read my earlier post: Designing Your Dream Career. On the super hard days, when you are facing rejection after rejection, remembering your WHY goes a long way in helping you find that resilience to keep on going. We've all been there, when the exhilaration of a new idea, the vision of the possibility makes us feel invincible. The spark ignites a fire within us, pushing us to take those tentative first steps toward our goals, excited about a new side hustle, or going after a promotion or job. And when we hit that first set of roadblocks and the spark goes out. When faced with adversity it is human to go back to what you know, to what is safe, no matter how uncomfortable it is. At some point you get excited about reaching toward the goal again. And you take some tentative steps in that direction. You put yourself out there. And then rejection comes and the cycle begins again. Start, stop, start, stop. How will you feel a year from now if nothing changes in your professional life? What can you do to rewrite your career story? Be it until you become it - inside and out! But how? Step 1: Change your Environment The environment that got you to where you are today isn’t the environment that is going to get you to this next place. Have you ever heard the concept that people rise to the level of the 5 people that you spend the most time with? How can you surround yourself with people who are going to lift you up and open new doors for you? Who can accelerate your progress because they have already traveled this road? Who can hold you accountable? What events can you attend, virtually and in-person? Build a strong support network. Changing your external environment is half the battle. Next look inward. When those hurdles or rejection come, what is the narrative in your head? Are you feeling some imposter syndrome? Imposter syndrome is self-sabotage. These messages have been ingrained in your brain, sometimes since childhood. Learning how to rewire these pathways, to change the messages that your brain believes to be true is going to take some work. Question what you “know to be true.” Who told you that you are not good at math. Who told you that people who look like you do not do this? Who told you that you were not good enough? Why do you continue to give them power? Step 2: Explore Opportunities and Develop Skills Have you considered that another big reason that you are stuck is - you have no idea what is out there and what it would take to get it. You might be thinking, "I don't know what else I can do" or "I don't have the right skills." By changing your external and internal environment you will be exposed to new ideas and possibilities. You can also grow your career vision by researching new paths. Are there any industries, roles, and job listings that align with your interests, skills, and values? Let yourself dream again. What have you always wanted to do? Consider opportunities that could be accessed if you upskilled with a new certification or completed an optional project at work or through volunteer efforts. The most important thing is to get out and try new things to build your confidence. Step 3: Create an Action Plan When you are ready to take the next definitive steps toward your big career pivot, have a plan down to the day, and maybe even the half-hour if you like to keep a tight calendar. A clear plan will help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable - even on the hard days. What daily activities will get you to this goal? Don’t forget to include time to celebrate your wins. The path to a big goal is paved with dozens and dozens of intermediate benchmarks. Celebrate your progress and once in a while look back to see how far you have come. Navigating a career pivot of any type is HARD! But that shouldn’t be a reason to stop. By changing your environment, exploring new opportunities, and creating a clear action plan, you're poised to break free from the start, stop, start, stop cycle of self-doubt and stagnation. Go ahead and take the leap. And if you find yourself needing to ‘phone a friend,’ I am ready to take your call. Let’s leap ahead together and watch your career transform as you build your rich life by design.
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 The years in the trenches as a parent/caregiver/spouse, especially when you are the default person in charge, has a way of overwriting all previous programming. Raising kids, running a household, being a caregiver, is only accomplished through the magic of daily repeated patterns. Days and weeks can feel like the same reel playing over and over, stuck in a loop! Our brains rely on autopilot, because it uses less energy than actually thinking. And 2, 4, 6, 10+ years later you may find that you have morphed into a completely unrecognizable person that has lost traction in their career and no longer knows what you want!
It is completely normal to default into looking for that next step in the career pathway that you set in motion when you rolled into adulthood. It makes the most sense. You received training or went to college and did the thing for 10, or 20 or more years. Even if you are coming back from a GAP it makes sense to pick up where you left off. Or does it? What would happen if you paused to consider.
If the answer to these questions is no, it is time for a new perspective on your career. And to get there you first must STOP and consider the possibilities. Dare to Dream! Hold up. I can already hear your objections. Maria, I don’t have time for this dream job stuff. I need a job NOW - I do not have time to do this dream job stuff!!! I have a family to support. I can’t start over! What if I am not good enough? I am too old. I am afraid. When you give into that voice in your head and hurry or settle into your next ‘thing’ whether that is because it is what we know, it is safe, forcing a FIT — there is a good chance you will end up right back here 6-12 months from now. Beat down, broken, and looking for another THING. Pushing you further and further away from living that life by design. Or worse, you are going to grit it out and increase your stress and trigger that cascade of things (disordered sleep, high blood pressure, poor eating, loss of connections, anxiety/anger/depression, you know this spiral) that lead to health problems and decreased healthspan and a decreased life span. This scenario is certainly not part of your dream future! When we build our life by design, defining your career is a big piece of the puzzle. A career pivot is not just about landing your next job or launching a new venture. It's about taking deliberate steps that move you closer to the life you want to live – now and in the future. Do you choose to soar? Here are some tips on how you can open your eyes to the possibilities.
It is FINALLY your time to redefine yourself and consider where you are going in your life and how your career can support that vision. Work to live your life by design! Are you committed to taking the next steps? I am happy to collaborate and excited to share in your journey.  Are you standing at a career crossroads, wondering if it's finally your turn to build the fulfilling career you've always dreamed of? If you've spent years putting others first and now feel underemployed, underappreciated, or underpaid, you're not alone. My short career break turned into a 12 year career GAP after taking time to raise my 3 children and battle several rare and chronic diseases. When I was finally free to resurrect my career I felt completely lost! And let's face it, my brain was thinking all of the things. How do I look for a job? What if I'm not qualified? No one is going to want me after a 12 year ‘break.’ Of course it was anything but a break. Here is what I wish someone had told me. Dare to Dream Take a moment to really think about what you want to do! Understand Your Desires and Non-Negotiables It's time to put yourself first. Engage in self-reflection to define your true desires for both your career and life. Align your career goals with personal values and passions. Define your non-negotiables such as corporate culture, hours, pay, location, etc. You must define what you want before you try to go out and land it! Set Your Intention for This Journey Mindset is 90% of a career pivot! Define the timeline and steps for your career transformation. Identify potential sources of resistance to change and introduce strategies to overcome them. Foster a mindset shift towards positive transformation, recognizing that change is a powerful force for growth and fulfillment. Create Your Personal Brand Yes, you are a brand. And now that you know exactly what you are seeking in this next career pivot, you need to get the word out. Write your unique value proposition and then align all of your brand assets including your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio. Learn how to articulate who you are and what problems you solve for elevator pitches and interviews. Start to Lay Your Career Search Path Whether it's a job, a job combined with a side gig, or the beginning of an entrepreneurial venture, start laying the framework for your desired career path. What pieces need to be set up first? Create a plan and break it down into weekly action steps. With a clear understanding of your desires, strengths, and a well-defined framework, you are ready to go out there and build your career. If you're ready to take the leap, grab your FREE "5 Steps to Monetizing Your Brilliance” workbook. And if you're truly ready to move now, connect with me for a one-on-one conversation. Click here to access my calendar. You’ve done the grind, you’ve done the time, it is time to live your life by design! |
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