New Year's Resolution #4

New year, new job

This is a common one. People who would usually move job sit tight from November postponing action until after Christmas. This together with increased reflection time over the holiday period persuades people that it’s the right time to make a change. Summer holidays can often have a similar result. More often than not, action is not taken before life as usual takes over again and there’s no time left to look for new work. And for many people that’s fine.

However, what if you really do want to change the job you do or where you work?

Firstly, ask yourself what it is that you like about your current job, and there will be something, so keep asking until you come up with something and that what it is that you would like to be different. This will help you to identify if you like the sort of work you do but would like to do it somewhere else or if you like where you work but not what you do, or none of the above.

A recurring theme in coaching sessions with people who are thinking about the work they want to do is that they’re not sure what it is that they want to do. The above questions will go some way to working that out. But here’s one, you have to pretend for a moment, so tell the nay saying voice in your head to take the next hour off – tell them for longer if you’re up for it, but that’s the subject of a whole different post.

If money were no object, whatever you decide to do the money you earn will buy you the lifestyle you want for yourself what would you do?

What sort of things would crop up in your day?

Where would you be? In one place? Indoors or out? In this town or another? In this country or another?

What sort of clothes would you be wearing?

Would you be working by yourself or with others, and if with others, what sort of people are they and what’s your relationship with them?

How would you feel at the end of your working day?

How would you feel as you get ready for the start of your working day?

Now, what sort of work will bring you those things?

Add to the questions. Mine is by no means a definitive list, just something to get you started.

Have some patience with this, it might take you a while to think this through and be creative about how you do that. If you think best in the bath or on a walk where there’s green, off you go. If you think better working at a keyboard or drawing on a huge piece of paper do that. No one need know but you, though of course you can work with someone else if you want to.

When you feel you have a good idea of the sort of thing you want to do, or the sort of place you’d like to work, plan backwards to today – remember, begin with the end in mind. That way you’ll know what you need to do first and can make a start.

I hope this helps