Many of us have careers that we’ve fallen into: you’re doing work that’s OK, but you didn’t plan to be here, doing this, right now. You took a position, then another one; then yet another opportunity came along and you moved there. Sometimes the work is satisfying, other times it’s boring and without challenge. Sometimes you wonder how you got here, other times you’re pleased to just have a job.
But there’s often a question niggling at the back of your mind: is this what I’m meant to do? Is this my purpose in life…how I’ll contribute while I’m here? Is this it?
Getting intentional means defining the path that fits you, feeling comfortable with that fit, exploring all the options for that path and then choosing consciously how to take it. A simple enough process, yet without a strong guide, few of us ever take it. 
What gets in our way? It’s most often old beliefs and outdated feelings about “how things should be” with our work and careers that stop us. We actually sabotage ourselves without really knowing it.
Over the next few posts, we’ll examine some of the beliefs that block your way to the career path that belongs to you and some initial actions you can take to get around, over, and beyond them!
Let’s begin with these two very outdated beliefs:
1. Employers determine careers since employers have the jobs; and
2. I’ll “wait to be picked” since that’s how I’ve always done it.
Employers no longer drive careers: You must drive yours!
Yes, during the last half of the 20th century, employers had career ladders and paths; employees were often put on paths and trained for particular positions. Employment was stable and it served the organization to have a plan in place to move people up and around and up again, then out for retirement.
Organizations are no longer this way–the 21st century economy has much less certainty and little employment stability. The only stability at work today is created by you–as you take responsibility for defining your best work direction and do what’s needed to get there. Here’s how to get started:
>>Know your Foundation: take an inventory, a really thorough one, of what makes you, you: your talents, skills, interests, engagers, motivators, values, best work environments, successes and any other “feel good” activities. When you’re clear on these areas, you’ll discover “themes” winding through them and those themes are clues to work that fits you best. There are lots of self-help books that will help you surface these things, and of course a great career coach can help you, too!
With your themes, you’re able to explore work directions and families: many areas exist in 2009 that didn’t exist even 5 or 6 years ago. So, the exploration will open you to lots of possibilities! Which possibilities match up with your Foundation? That’s the direction(s) you can begin to explore. You are now taking responsibility for your career direction and being intentional!
>>Take the initiative: When you have defined a direction (or even several), determine what you need to do to move toward it. You have no reason to “wait to be picked” by someone else. If the direction takes education, go after it. If it takes some new skills training, find it and take it online or at a local college. Find a mentor, or 2 or 3, and explore it, learn from their experiences, and ask for counsel and suggestions on how to best move in your chosen direction. Find an internship program or volunteer at a non-profit organization to get relevant experience. Or, work with a career coach trained to be a guide on the journey.
You have no reason to wait, except that your Gremlin voice (those outdated beliefs in your head) is holding you back. It’s talking to you with a voice from the 1960s or 80s or even the 90s…none of which fits with the business environments of today. It’s a voice that tells you to play it safe, keep your head down, that good (quiet) girls are rewarded and other people (important people, bosses) know you better than you know yourself. That’s bunk. Nobody knows you better than you: when you have consciously defined a
nd stand upon your Foundation, you make decisions that no one else can make.
So quiet the voice: talk over it; examine it logically; talk with trusted advisors to get clear about today’s business realities; and replace the Gremlin with truths about how your career can really work. Take your first steps today toward intentionality and the work you contribute to the world!
Let us know what you think: drop a response with your questions, how these suggestions work for you, what additional info would help you take charge of your career! Whatever question or issue you want to discuss will be shared by lots of other readers…promise. And stop back: in upcoming posts, we’ll look at additional actions you can take to become intentional about your career direction.
Best wishes for an Intentional week…
Janine
Janine Moon, a Master Certified Career Coach, has spent over thirty years mentoring, growing, developing and coaching people—both individually and within organizations. Visit her on the web at CompassPoint Coaching, Workforce Change, and her blog for career owners.
November 2, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Truer words were never spoken. We sometimes have a dialog in our heads that do not encourage us. If we spoke to our children and pointed out all the reasons why something can’t work or are stupid ideas we would be abusing our kids. Don’t abuse yourself! Talk to your self like you were advising your child and encourage your steps forward!