Only you can find a job for yourself.
An exceptionally qualified marketing manager working for a large financial institution sees change coming. The bank is going through another restructuring exercise. No doubt–jobs will be in jeopardy. Instead of turning the other cheek and working harder, waiting for the carnage to unfold, this manager decides to act, taking charge of her career–and her destiny.
She calls a search firm she knows, asking, “You have any jobs on the books for me?”
The consultant on the other end says, “We’ll see, send me your resume.”
She does, hopeful that maybe that great job is within reach, but in a few days with no reply, the flush of the initial excitement wanes.
Should she call the firm again and ask them what’s going on?
No. But she shouldn’t have called them in the first place.
She should have instead first done NOTHING, but sit back and listened–to her internal thoughts and messages, as well as listened to others – a colleague, a friend, a coach or a mentor. Just listen to voices. Not jump to action. It’s understandable, but counter-intuitive reactions are often healthier.
Next is to determine who you are? What you want to do? Not easy questions to answer, but don’t move away from them. Stop surfing the internet, reading Twitter, scrolling Instagram or playing another word game.
Take out a piece of paper (that’s right-paper) and write down the things you do, you like, you don’t like, the dreams you’ve dreamed of doing “when you have the time.”
If you’re stuck, stay there. Getting unstuck requires time. Look up, look down, write, doodle, go for a walk. Leave your distractions (phone or other devices) at home.
When you return from your walk or meditative moments and doodles, take out another blank sheet paper and draw a map. Visualize and draw the roadmap of your career to date. Allow your drawing to wander freely over the peaks, valleys, hills, mountains, stops and starts. You’re creating the career you want, so don’t leave it to chance or put your destiny in someone else’s control. The art of career navigation begins and ends with you.
