You Are Lost If You Don’t know Where You’re Going

Career Coaching

The young woman’s face was a picture of unhappiness and worry as she asked for my advice about her career.

“My job is driving me crazy. I am frustrated because I am not getting ahead,” she said. “I want desperately to make a change, but I just don’t know what to do about it.”

Her story was one I hear often from people at all levels of their career.

I began our discussion with the root question: “What do you want to be doing five years from now?”

“That’s the problem; I don’t know,” she answered.  “There are so many things I would like to do, it’s hard to make a decision,” she said.  “One day it’s this, the next day it is something else. In the meantime, I feel like time is passing me by.”

“Nonsense, it is never too late to take charge of where your life is going,” I responded. “But you cannot get out of this hole you are in until you make a decision on what you want to do.”

I pointed pit that first step is usually the hardest one to take.  You have a lot of options, I said, but you are afraid you may pick the wrong goals and end up in another trap.  You are frightened by the thought of making a commitment.

And you don’t really believe at this point you can plan your life for success.  Other people do.  Why can’t you?

I went on to explain that if she made a mistake she could always change her mind and set other goals. It is better to pick a target and work toward it – even if it has to be changed – than to continue to drift pillow to post, slipping deeper and deeper into frustration and depression. Long-range goals are basic to surviving and triumphing over short-range failures that are bound to happen.

Four Action Steps To Get On Track

I discussed some specific planning steps–a road map– she should undertake to get her career on track.

First, I explained, she should put in writing her goals for the next three to five years. These goals should spell out what she wants to be doing in her work; where she wants to live; what lifestyle she desires; how much money she wants to be making.

Second, I advised her to make a written list of her assets: her education, her talents and skills, as well as her experiences. Compile a list of likes and dislikes.

Third, I explained she should look at her goals along side her assets. This exercise would identify the gap between where she stood in terms of assets and where she wanted to go. She could see in graphic terms what she would have to do to close that distance where she was and where she wanted to go.

Fourth, she should lay out a map of action for her career, with specific actions and deadlines, to accomplish her goals.

Inertia Is A Deadly Force

“Your biggest challenge is to break out of the inertia and get moving,” I advised her.  “It is like you are caught in quick sand.  Your frustrations sap your energy, so your attitude goes down the drain.  Your present job suffers, which penalizes your opportunities to make a change.  You put off taking action until tomorrow, next week and next month.  Soon, you will be counting lost time in years, and it will be too late.  Sure, that is a grim message, but it is also the way life is.”

The alternative is action, which is a great tonic, I explained.  It builds on itself.  Action will clear your vision, provide strength and confidence.”

Will she get going?  Only time will tell.  Some who seek career coaching do take action and achieve their goals. Unfortunately, many don’t.

It all depends on taking that first step of deciding what one wants to do with one’s life.

I wish you career success.

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach, Common Sense At Work