The pandemic has certainly forced us individually and collectively to have a good look at ourselves. It was probably something that was long overdue. Wherever you go, there you are. We’ve been hiding from ourselves. I’ve seen a lot of that in regards to people and their connection with their career, or the now old-school perception of what a career should be. The career ladder. The older you get, the sooner you realise that the career ladder is a scam. Anyway, with people now re-thinking their lives, many are rethinking the C word. Career. Really ask yourself what you want to be doing for the rest of your life. So not only do I have a great life list for Career B, but also a great Alan Watts video. Full article can be found here.

PS – Stop working for the man.

1 Act first, think later
If you’re thinking about making a career change, or this year has prompted you to think about pursuing a passion, the best thing you can do is to start by experimenting. You will learn more by doing than thinking. Prioritise practising over waiting for the perfect opportunity.

2 Ask for help
It can feel hard, as we don’t want to be a burden, or feel we should find all the answers for ourselves. However, it’s worth remembering that most people enjoy helping others, so don’t apologise for getting the help you need. People can only support you if they know how they can help.

3 Stay optimistic
Changing jobs is hard, and you might start to feel stuck, or compare yourself, unhelpfully, to others. If you need to improve your optimism, try writing one “Very Small Success” you’ve had at the end of every day. Reflecting on and recording our small successes builds our resilience by reminding us that we are making positive progress.

4 Prioritise possibilities over plans
Be open-minded about exploring multiple possibilities, rather than fixating on a single plan or the perfect job. View opportunities through the lens of learning. Ask yourself what will open up more opportunities in the future rather than closing them down.

5 Run to, not from, a job
We’re often motivated to make a career change because we’re unhappy with our current reality. This can create a sense of urgency to escape rather than focusing on running towards fulfilment. Before making any choices, make sure you’re clear on what your job must-haves and must-nots are. This gives you a useful insight into what motivates you and a reminder of what is most important to you as you explore new opportunities.

6 Success is a squiggly, not straight, line
The advantage of the increasingly squiggly career paths we take today is that we can define success for ourselves. This can feel simultaneously energising and overwhelming, as we put pressure on ourselves to make sure all the hours we dedicate to work are time well spent. Amanda Mackenzie, CEO of Business In The Community, gave me some brilliant advice for keeping perspective, which is particularly useful in times of transition and change: “Imagine you’re 90 on a park bench, what matters?” Keep an eye on the big picture, and pursue your goals, one small step at a time.