A bend in the road
is not the end of the road
unless you fail to make the turn.
Victor Hugo
The Journey
A career is a path or journey through life that encompasses all that we learn and do in our lives. Traditionally, work has been what we do to earn money in order to live the kind of lifestyle we choose. If the work we choose to do is not in alignment with the way we want to live our lives, then our existence is not a very satisfying one.
Look at your life journey as your career path. It began at birth and will end at death. All the learning and work experiences that we gather along the way are a part of our career. Thus, we began unconsciously making career decisions at a very young age. Each new learning experience chosen is like trying out a new path to see where it will lead.
Some paths are chosen with intent. Certain expectations exist as to what will be found at the end of the road. Some paths are chosen simply because they look interesting or fun or just because they are there, right in front of us. Still other pathways are chosen because certain people in our lives believe they know what is best for us and that we ‘should’ take the route they choose.
Change is Constant
Invariably, we come to the end of the chosen path at some point. To some, the end comes as a big surprise, to others the end is anticipated, and to still others, the end is planned. Now a new route must be chosen.
Taking Stock
So here we stand at the crossroads, scratching our heads and wondering which path to take next. There are so many choices! How do we know which is the right path?
Some paths look very familiar, as if we have been down a similar road before. Others look quite different than anything experienced so far. Some look as if very few people have taken that path and others have obviously been extremely well traveled.
Learning is Ongoing
If you pause to look back from where you came and reflect on what happened along the way, you’ll discover that you have changed from who you were when you began the journey. Therefore, there is a need to stop and take stock, to reflect on what you have learned, determine what has changed for you personally and review what is really important to you at this point in your life before making a decision about which direction is next.
Follow Your Heart
In choosing a path or direction, it is important to listen to the heart. Ask: ‘Am I choosing this path because someone else thinks I should? Or is it because it looks like something that I would really love to do?’
Enjoy the Journey
Once you know WHO you are, WHAT you want and WHY you want it… HOW you will achieve it, or how you will get there, will begin to unfold. In fact, opportunities will appear, as if by magic.
Access Your Allies (and Be an Ally)
Talk to people—friends, acquaintances, family and colleagues. They want to help. They probably won’t have ‘just the right job for you’ but when they hear what you are good at and what interests you, what’s important to you, they may have some information or other contacts that can help. Research and Networking are two key elements to a successful Career Transition.