CoachCherri.com – The Transition Coach

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination”.

—Jimmy Dean

Many of you probably know someone personally who has be affected by the downturn in the industries we work in today.  And, some of you may have deep concerns about your own fate in your company.  The state of our economy is proving everyday that it takes more than luck and hard work to succeed – it requires a plan.  Companies are making changes in the way they are doing business and cutting costs to efficiently stay afloat, and still provide quality products and service. They know they must still maintain a competitive edge with fewer resources and manpower.  But that’s just business. And like any viable business they must have a strategic plan to achieve their objectives.  And so should you.

So, what’s the fastest way you can take control of your career?  How can you steer yourself to the destination of your choice?  Consider thinking like a business and position yourself as a competitive product. There is massive competition today with new graduates looking for work, people who have lost jobs and those looking for a career change.  However, don’t let that thwart your aspirations of pursuing a new career or positioning yourself for the next level in your current career.

Here are five basic steps you can implement to treat your career like a business and give yourself a competitive edge:

Distinguish yourself as a competitive product

Outline those things that you do better than other people.  A good start is to seek others perception of you. Review your assets and liabilities, determine what differentiates you, and obtain customer feedback.

Research and evaluate your competition

Make it a goal to be your best while not only understanding yourself, but your competitors too.  Note that competition is the way of life for most businesses to stay alive. However, I believe it is about doing things differently and creating value that sustains a competitive advantage.  Embrace the fact that you must compete for what you want and do so in a positive and wise way.

Determine your goals and create a strategic plan

Your goals reflect what you want for yourself and how you expect to achieve what it is you want.  A clear strategic plan is like a roadmap-it helps you reach your destination efficiently and quickly.  As you pursue your defined aspirations, they will undoubtedly lead you to a greater sense of commitment and motivation.

Implement your strategic plan and monitor your progress

It is critical that you periodically review your strategic plan to ensure you are on the right track and making progress to your goals.  If you find that it is not working, make the necessary corrections right away.  Change your course immediately.  Do not procrastinate!

Stay focused, celebrate and reward your accomplishments

The three C’s to use to achieve your career aspirations are: commitment, courage and confidence.  You must be prepared to overcome your obstacles, yet focus on the positives along the way.  Be sure to encourage and reward yourself for your accomplishments toward your goals.

Even in this teetering workforce, you can still pursue the destination of your choice.  Put yourself in the driver’s seat and take control of your career.  Be proactive by following these five basic steps to achieve your aspirations.  You wouldn’t have those dreams if  they weren’t worth it, so invest in yourself.  Take charge of your career, your way!

“The will must be stronger that the skill”

I have never really been athletically inclined to play any type of sport.  I tried tennis a few times, but I really enjoyed playing volley ball in junior high school.  I rarely watch sports on television, except for the Super Bowl, and I usually root for the underdog team.  When it came down to golf; I used to wonder why anyone wanted to play such a boring game.  It seemed to be a lifeless game; swinging to hit a 1.62 ounce ball to God knows where.  It was a sport for the elite middle-aged white man; retired with nothing else to do.  This was my narrow-minded view back in the day – judging without understanding the fundamentals of the game.

Fast forward to the present…I am a black woman, not quite middle-aged yet and learning how to play a game I deemed boring. Never, in a million years, would I have imagined myself lugging golf clubs in the heat of the summer trying to “tee” off with a decent shot.  I pray for an accurate swing; I can barely see the green, but I know it’s there.  And the objective is to get there with the minimum amount of strokes as possible.  That’s the way I see it; I’m still learning the game.

After leaving the driving range on a Monday afternoon, I thought about how practicing my swing relates to one being in a career transition.  Sounds crazy, yeah!  Some days I can’t seem to make contact with the ball and some days I don’t feel like I know where I’m aiming.   I’ve worked with clients who were at a crossroads in their career.  Either something has happened to them, something is about to happen or they need to make something happen for themselves.

A career transition could mean different things to different people.  A person might want a new career, a new job, a promotion, or learn to negotiate for more money. The most prevalent type of career transition is among people who are faced with a layoff and are asking, “what’s next for me”.  If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are a few basics to help you “tee off” with a good swing in managing your career transition.

The Fundamentals of a Good Swing

A good golf swing requires you having a secure grip with both left and right hands on the club, while allowing some flexibility in the wrist.   This coordinated effort creates unity between the club and the player.  As a player in the pursuit for a fulfilling career, you need to have a firm grip on where you are now…and where you desire to be in the next 3-6 months or a year.  Once you are able to describe and get clear about what you want  in your new or current career; it will create the synergy you need to implement an action plan.

Second, you need to form a correct stance and posture with reference to the ball so you can establish a stable center of balance for the swing.  As you begin to focus on your career target, position yourself by balancing your career success with the following in mind:

√     Be Self Managing

√     Keep On Learning

√     Build Networks

√     Keep Yourself Curr

√     Find A Mentor

Having a good balance will help you stabilize yoursef when your swing is a little off under pressure.  Know where you stand by knowing what you have to offer and market your value.  Stay centered by having the right temperament; no crying and cursing about a bad stroke.

Third, a good swing is based on timing which means bringing the clubface precisely and efficiently into contact with ball.  Whether you are currently working and wanting to make a change, or out of work and looking for a new job, you’ll need to use your time and resources wisely.  Establish a routine and fine-tune your plan; get in the swing of doing something that brings you closer to your target.  Can you imagine a professional golfer practicing once a week for the Masters?  That would be disastrous for his/her career.

And the final fundamental of a good swing is footwork.  Your feet have to feel alive and take part in the process. The knee action is controlled by the footwork.  If your right knee is stuck, you can’t turn your body so that you will bring your arms and hands into position for making a satisfactory shot.  Don’t allow yourself to get stuck by not being open to new possibilities.

Be willing to take on the challenge.  I’ve experienced several transitions in my career, but the one where I felt alive was the one that challenged me the most.  I had to give it everything I had, and then some.  When I felt stuck, I’d take a breather, come back and reposition myself for another strike at my target.  That persistent footwork took me on a fulfilling and satisfy career path.

A good “tee off” in a career transition is not about having a lot of power in your swing.  It is a systematic and organized way you approach your target through scheduled activities that will inevitably land you on the Green – your desired destination.

 What are the unique gifts that differentiate you from other solo entrepreneurs? The path to discovering your gifts may take a lifetime, but you can use the exploration process to begin to use your gifts NOW!

 
Unfortunately, for many different reasons people get sidetracked or never even get started taking the actions that would help them discover their uniqueness. Here are some suggested strategies to help move forward and stay on the path of discovering your gifts.

1. Make yourself a priority. Understand what’s important to you. To do that, you have to make yourself important in your life. Spend less time worrying about what everyone else thinks you should do. That’s what got you confused in the first place.

 
2. Build a reserve of money, time and space. This doesn’t mean you have to be rich to live your dreams. However, if you’re always lacking in money, time and space, you’re creating extra pressure for yourself. Having some reserves gives you the freedom to play and make different choices.

3. Have a daily practice that keeps you connected with your gifts. A daily practice allows you to develop the skill and discipline to listen to yourself. Learn to look inward for answers. Consider journaling, meditation or other practices that help you tune out the world and hear your own whispers.

4. Ask others for input on what you can’t see in yourself. Sometimes it’s hardest to see your own gifts. People may overlook or dismiss your strengths and talents. Chances are your friends and family can provide clues about what’s special and great in you.

5. Don’t think too much. It’s time to get out of your head and into your heart and body-they have intelligence to share. You can’t always think your way to the answers. When you are engaged in activities, pay attention to your feelings or your body. Are you energized? Do you lose track of time? Don’t miss these valuable clues.

6. Get a fan club. Discovering your gifts doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor. Exercise the choice you have about who to spend time with. Why not surround yourself with positive and supportive people?

7. Befriend your inner critic. Keep reminding yourself that knowing and using your gifts is not about being right or wrong or perfect. Discovering your gifts is an ongoing process of learning. Expect resistance, learn from your inner critic, and keep taking action.

8. Maintain a sense of humor. It is important to have a sense of lightness and fun to welcome new ideas and opportunities. Don’t be too serious. Take delight in unwrapping your gifts.

9. Shine the light on beliefs. Don’t underestimate the power of belief. What do you believe about yourself and the world that could be hindering your progress? Replace beliefs that don’t serve you. Consider creating an “old belief graveyard” and “new belief birth ward.”

10. Don’t step off a cliff, just take one small step toward the edge. The process of discovering your gifts requires action. The focus is not on arriving somewhere, but on being on the journey and learning. A desire to make changes in your life may come with a deeper understanding of your gifts.

However, you don’t have to make drastic changes overnight. What’s one small step you can take to move in the direction of your gifts?

Source: http/: www.advancingwomen.com