What are your work values? Deciding what’s important in your work life

We are constantly searching for a fulfilling & rewarding career, and in this lifelong pursuit it’s vitally important to understand and align our work values with our professional development because it leads us to bigger questions to why we do what we do.  Our values at work house our preferences, our purpose & the vision … Read more

The Art of Starting in Your Career

Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started,” and this sentiment echoes the wisdom of Goethe’s words, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.” Often, the most daunting step in any journey is the first one—the moment of beginning. This rings especially true when considering our careers, jobs, work and the prospect of starting anew and never more so that in January.

In the landscape of work today, the idea of initiating a job search can be a labyrinthine maze, strewn with uncertainties, hesitations & pressure can be overwhelming and paralysing.  The comforts of familiarity in what we are already doing, or the fear of the unknown can often hold us back. However, the real essence of growth and evolution lies in the courage to go towards newness and change. Some embrace & seek out change naturally but for others including myself this is a muscle to be trained.

But why is starting so hard?

Starting is about movement and action and that momentum you get from taking that the initial effort. This first step into your job search might appear colossal, but it’s the foundation on which you can build future fulfilling experiences in your work. Those big experiences and goals might feel a long way off but with that initial step it takes you nearer them.  Here lies the magic of starting—a single act that holds the potential to transform our professional trajectory especially in job searching.

Where is your focus?

At this moment we are often guilty of focussing on what others are doing or more truthfully what we perceive they are doing. Found yourself reading about other people’s new and seeminly easily secured moves? I know I have. And whilst comparing yourself is a fool’s errand, but using that information can actually be useful….later. Hear me out we’ll come to that.

Turn the spotlight on you

But first the embarking on a job search requires both introspection and reflection, turning that spotlight on yourself. Time & time again with clients it is often the very first time they have given, space, time & energy on this. Yes, they’ve thought about their skills, experience, passions and aspirations before but usually through the lens of someone else; their employer, their boss, the performance review!! So, it can be tough, really tough, turning that spotlight on us getting to the nub of what really ignites our enthusiasm, what we are great but actually don’t like or no longer enjoy or even realising what doesn’t suit us to thrive. Grab that pen and paper or digital notepad asking yourself …..What 3 work things do I really enjoy (it could be a feeling, a strength or skill you get to do or a place that excites you. Keep this close.

If you find this so tricky you can look to others, not to compare but as a compass point to use as data and ask some great questions. There will be people or companies in the areas you find inspiring, so ask yourself what can I learn from them and what would I do differently. Again keep this close.

Keep going

Beginning a job search demands resilience and adaptability, because it involves stepping out of our comfort zones but this will stand you in good stead for what’s to come later. Remember it’s also an opportunity for growth, we don’t learn this stuff in traditional education so its up to us to build our vocational vocab. Every application submitted, every interview attended, is a step closer to new possibilities and opportunities.

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the need to adapt and be agile is more pertinent than ever. Embracing change and initiating a job search is not just about seeking new employment; it’s a testament to our ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of our careers and this is a fantastic skill in itself to take to future work. It’s an acknowledgment that growth stems from stepping into the unknown.

If you can remember this when it gets tough or you are feeling uncertain, that with each start it opens doors to unforeseen prospects, leading to experiences that shape our whole professional story building skills that aren’t solely for job hunting.

The art of starting anew in our careers lies in recognizing the potential within that first step. Harness your courage, begin the journey and you’ll see the fruits of your labour in both new and unexpected opportunities.

So remember, the key to unlocking your future lies in the singular not simple act of starting.

Is job search about luck?

Ask most people about if luck played a part in their careers and many would reluctantly say yes but it feels a slightly intangible force to rest work success on. And sparks debate as shouldn’t it be that it be more a complex interweaving of skills, experience, hard work & networking be the lynchpins of … Read more

The Power of referrals in this changing job market….

Photo by John Barkiple on Unsplash In this last week alone, I have worked with two clients sharing the experiences of the current job market being the most challenging they have seen in their careers.  This got me thinking about what can be done differently when the usual stuff just isn’t working.  There are lots … Read more

What do your hormones have to do with your career?

……plenty. Do we know what hormones are? Well, by definition they are our bodies “messengers” sending signals into our bloodstream and tissues. They work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes including our growth and development affecting our physiology and behaviour. I believe that our physical state and how we behave is both present … Read more

Investing in your company’s website

This year saw 4 e.g. Consulting turn 5, 5 years of freelance, creating my own business and shifting my skillset.  Landmark or not, it instinctively prompted me to take moments throughout 2022 to pause and think about evolution.  What comes next? Let’s stop for a moment. Let’s take a look back, not self indulgently but … Read more

Coaching Series 1: What is it like to be coached?

When you read articles about Coaching, especially those about work performance, do you think that they have  made a massive presumption… that you know what coaching is! Even some coaching professionals across the performance spectrum struggle trying to encapsulate a concise and well researched thought out definition. What if, we take the view of the person being … Read more