posted on: 2010-06-15 09:18:13
Our economy is a mess, and we are in unchartered territory. Most everyone is feeling the pain, especially if they now find themselves unemployed or wonder if they are the next one to lose their job. Unfortunately, most people put more planning into their next vacation than they do their career or more realistically their “careers.” When the pink slip arrives they have no idea of what their next move will be. If you are wondering what to do next, now is the time to seriously take the necessary steps to plan your career.
This is a very important point. Today is important! Today really matters with regard to your next career. You must begin immediately, “today!” to develop and implement an action plan which will create your future. No one will do this for you. Creating your future is strictly up to you!
The first step is to take some reflective time and assume more personal responsibility to think through your next action so you can take control of your career. Begin to think and act like an independent contractor representing a company called, “You LLC.” LLC stands for… “Limit your Liabilities Constantly.” A liability is working in a job which has a limited future or anything that is holding you back from being more successful in the future workplace.
The “You LLC” concept speaks to a change in personal mindset in which you think of yourself as a company. You LLC is a business that sells you… your ideas… and your value to others. You LLC should be a company with a mission and vision statement, goals, values and a strategic plan to meet your desires and the expectations of the market place. Your personal company needs to be agile and quick to respond to change, a company, which gets the best results possible in everything it does. You LLC should be a company, which is flexible, responsible and has a passion to protect and ensure its future survival.
When working for “You LLC,” the following five questions can help you focus and take responsibility for your own personal career change process.
1.What liabilities do I presently have (lack of hard or soft skills, lack of training or education, lack of a solid work ethic or a good attitude, etc.) that I must correct quickly?
2.What four or five important trends (outsourcing, job going overseas, a slowing demand for my services, etc.) are affecting my job or career plans today?
3.What are the two most important actions I need to take immediately to ensure I stay ahead of these trends and prepare for a new career?
4.What are my strengths, talents, competencies and skills, and what am I truly passionate about doing for many years to come?
5.What sunrise jobs or new career field truly interests me, rather than sticking with a soon to be a sunset and obsolete job.
6.Based on the above, what will I most likely be doing in six months, one year, three years, and five years from now if I do, or do not, invest in my career options?
When you begin to formalize answers and develop an action plan to address the above questions, you will begin to uniquely equip yourself to meet the changes the future will certainly bring. You will be better prepared to deal with a wider variety of challenges and reduce your level of fear and anxiety. Most importantly the answers will help you design a “survival road map” to effectively guide you through the constant journey of change from the present to the future – from unemployment to employment.
About Ingbretsen Consulting LLC:
Coach and author Roger Ingbretsen is a certified executive coach and organizational developer, providing organizational and career guidance to professionals, managers, supervisors and all individuals looking for "real world" career development and business information. His entrepreneurial approach will help you learn how to plan, lead and succeed in your career. Roger is the creator of the “Leadership Development Coaching Experience©” and author of the personal development reference eBooks, “Plan Your Career Now: The Survival Guide for the American Workplace” and “Master Your Career: Proven Strategies for Career Success©.” To know more and claim dozens of Rogers free articles go to www.ingbretsen.com or call 509 999 7008.
