“If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing’. – Gail Sheehy
Okay – you may be saying what gives Moran?
I shared my thoughts about new beginnings as Labor Day closed in last
year, and I want to do this again because it is so important.
I am one that believes that there are two New Year’s celebrations of the year – the calendar New Year January 1st, and Labor Day – a day that opens new beginnings and a return to “doing business.
I find that as we pass that big day on the calendar, I hear from more
and more professionals who have been on the sidelines for the summer
and are now ready to engage to change their situation and begin their
move. It is the time of the year when I often pose the question, and will pose it to you as we enter this new season of life:
Are you just “working” – or achieving leadership in your career?
This is a tough question to answer, and makes many feel
uncomfortable. The day-to-day of your job or your business consumes you
and often doesn’t provide the time for you to pause and reflect on
where you have been, and most important, where one are going in career.
In today’s employment market, it is critical that you put yourself first and not just work – but actively manage your career. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own company – You, Inc. This is the reality of today. It is about managing your career, not simply working.
To better understand what career management is, the following
description accurately describes what career management is and is not.
The last line is so important:
“The ability to actively manage one’s work life, make choices and
career decisions in a rapidly changing environment. It is accepting
responsibility for the strategic and proactive management of your career
and being career-resilient and in control your own career actions and
satisfaction. Career management is not job hunting – job hunting results
when one does not manage their career.
The trend continued. I continue to see a significant increase in the
number of professionals, executives and lately business owners who are
not looking for a job, but rather seeking help with outlining and
managing a career plan. They are looking at alternative strategies – the
“three-legged stool”, employedpreneur, virtual work engagements, etc.
There are soooo many opportunities.
47% of the working population is reevaluating their career direction – Do you have a plan?
Developing a career management plan is an essential tool as you
navigate your way through opportunities and challenges. It is becoming
bigger – a career management plan is becoming more of a life plan.
The key – it must be specific, measurable and hold you accountable.
The plan outlines your goals and establishes planned and measured
actions. For example, it could be as simple as:
• Work with specialist to update resume 1/1/00 and 7/1/00 and update career journal
• Determine, with a professional, if I am right to be in my own
business and drive my own destiny by 10/31/11. Determine, once and for
all, my career direction which will feed my life direction.
• Attend one networking event and establish three contacts monthly
• Meet with career specialists twice yearly to discuss plan, strategy and opportunities.
• Passively monitor job activity in my chosen profession
Some of my clients will not be pursuing a new job or business
opportunity for 1 – 2 – 3 or more years, but they are planning now,
creating a career journal (accomplishments, successes, what you learned
and of course, what didn’t work) and using me as their guide and face to
the market, so to speak. They are truly in control of their greatest
personal economic resource – their business or their job.
Determine to take control and be in control of your career. It is truly a life change you will never forget.
Happy New “Second” Year!
And thank you for reading this. – Dan
Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
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