1️⃣ Step off -> 2️⃣ Steer -> 3️⃣ Stand out
Three asks to take action
Making a career change is complicated. It takes time, effort, energy, resources and a good deal of luck.
Right?
It's actually not as hard to get started as you may think. I recently took a room of professionals through three asks and an action plan to take control of their next career move, and here's what they had to say:
"I truly found it to be powerful, clear and helpful!"
"(This exercise was) deep."
I’m going to share this recipe with you today.
First, I’ll tell you what I told them: What’s predictable is that most of you will look this over and then move on, going back to the same old routine. But a few of you will be unpredictable, and actually take action.
👉 To be unpredictable, start now: Hit “reply” on this email. As you keep reading, you’ll fill out your responses the three asks and action below and then send it back to me. After all, it’s one thing to tell yourself you’ll do something. It’s a whole other level to share that commitment.
Ready?
Ask 1: Step off.
Reimagine progress from climbing the corporate ladder to navigating your Career River.
We’ve been taught that success comes solely from climbing the corporate ladder. As you know by now, I thoroughly disagree.
Progress nowadays means looking out, not just up. Your next role isn’t limited to “Senior (Insert Current Job Title Here).”
But this takes practice. So here’s my first ask for you to respond to:
If you woke up tomorrow and stepped off the ladder, what would become possible in your work and life?
(Example: Travel more, time with my family, take a cooking class.)
👉 WRITE YOUR RESPONSE HERE:
Note: I’m not saying you’d quit your job tomorrow and start a goat farm (though you do you). But when you stop just following a predetermined path and start seeing what other areas you might explore based on your interests and needs, you can uncover some pretty interesting possibilities.
Ask 2: Steer.
Embrace uncertainty as the secret to new opportunities.
The messy middle of career transitions can be an incredibly uncomfortable place. You feel lost, maybe hopeless, and worried about how you'll be able to make ends meet.
And at the same time, when it comes to shifting your idea of what's possible, uncertainty is absolutely essential.
Take a moment to respond to this ask:
What is one question you're holding at this moment about your career?
👉 WRITE YOUR RESPONSE HERE:
Ask 3: Stand out.
Reimagine success from fitting in to showcasing your unique value.
As the working world has gotten less predictable, it's become more important to show why you are ready to solve the unique problems employers face.
Respond to this question to start to see how:
What is one way you can stand out in your career?
👉 WRITE YOUR RESPONSE HERE:
Action: Make your 2-day plan.
You've thought about what could become possible if you step off the ladder, the question you're facing right now and one way you can stand out in the crowd.
Looking at all your responses above, think of one action – no matter how big or how small – you could take in the next two days to start exploring new possibilities in your career.
For example, maybe your response to the first question was: try out acting. OK! Sign up for an acting class in the next two days.
👉 WRITE YOUR ACTION STEP HERE:
And be sure to tell me how it goes!
Happy navigating,
Bridget