KEY POINTS:
It is human nature to stick with the familiar and much harder to change and move forward. However, we take risks by not moving forward just as much as we do by taking on new opportunities, although often it just doesn't feel that way.
We can
think of our career management as being like looking after our cars, and many of us do more for the latter than we do for our careers. It may seem like an oversimplification, but often the only reason we take our cars in for unscheduled repairs is when we hear that strange noise or a warning light appears on the dashboard. We know then that we can't ignore the signals anymore or risk a breakdown or worse.
We also need hope - hope that our car will be fixed at the minimum possible cost. Hope in career management is that there are opportunities "out there" that will be challenging and fulfilling for us. So it is important that we pay attention to the signals as well as take the steps to build our future careers now, so that we don't become too comfortable within our current roles, as any new opportunities will bring us challenges as well.
We must also be able to focus on objectives and not just the obstacles. Many people do the opposite. They can describe in detail what they don't want, but find it harder to articulate what they do want. Analyse the obstacles and build support strategies to overcome these.
Equally important is building a clear vision of your future career that is motivating and energizing for you, so that you are determined to move toward your goal.
It takes courage and initiative to start a new career cycle. There are usually four phases that people go through before they make the break.
Building your "career resilience" is about taking those steps as soon as you recognize the signs. Look immediately to where you can grow your role, who you can learn from, who you need in your support network, and what skills and knowledge you will need for your future opportunities. Taking these steps will position you for future opportunities and means that you are more ready for that opportunity when it comes your way.
