Embrace Change for the Sake of Your Career

For most people, the pandemic gave us an unexpected opportunity to think about our careers and work lives. Different perspectives, attitudes, and situations emerged, revealing the positives and negatives of change.

The ripple effects of the pandemic continue to reveal its impact. I’m not exaggerating; so much has changed our lives on so many levels your head is probably spinning, like mine. Our concept of work has been altered along with where and how work is done. For instance, if you’re considering whether to return to the office or not, it brings up the opportunity to evaluate personal comfort levels, needs, and career aspirations.

Admittedly, everything is subject to change; change is how we grow. However, it can upend our lives’ normal flow until we adjust our perspective or take action.

Whether you are thinking about managing change in your career or personal life, you cannot separate them because any dissatisfaction impacts the other. Since change is inevitable, it may be best to “embrace” it. There are too many factors over which you have no control: the economy, company decisions, industry outlook, marketplace changes, and the introduction of new technology, such as AI.

Small Steps Can Lead to Big Decisions

Pause for a moment to think about your short-term and long-term career options, then map out your strategy. If you are considering a significant change, mapping out small steps to lead to your objective is an excellent approach. Small adjustments can lead to outcomes that won’t overwhelm you mentally and physically.

As you figure out options, try to avoid romanticizing outcomes. The grass always seems greener from your current vantage point, but it may not be as green as you think. Whether you are thinking about a career change, a new fitness program, or buying a car investigate first, then weigh the pros and cons. Seeking the opinions of those with experience and resources is a great idea.

Assess YOU First

If you start with the perspective of exploring your core values (what’s important to you) first, you enhance making a choice that suits your personal and professional preferences. Too often, people look at a shiny object, perhaps a job title or compensation before doing the critical assessment of whether it would be a good fit for their passions, family situation, personal fulfillment, or lifestyle. Visualize your target from a future perspective. Where would you like to be in 2, 5, or 10 years, personally and professionally?

Here are three tips to help you think about ways to approach change:

Change is part of life; anticipate it, embrace it. It means that after some introspection, you can make decisions about what you want to do, who you want to be, and what you want to have in your life. Try to explore before making a major commitment to significant career changes. Use the concept of exploring potential options first. Try before you buy.

Are you wondering if it’s time to change your career path? If so, download my free report, Is it Time for a Job or Career Change, and take the quiz.  If you score above 70 points, I encourage you to book an appointment for a quick chat.