| APRIL 2021 |

Then while you are doing something completely different… bam there it is… (for me often 3 am 😝).

This makes me think of times when we are searching for answers and seem to struggle with ideas or solutions. We often go around in circles and down rabbit holes as we instinctively seek the ‘how to’, practical details and implementation in our efforts to resolve a problem.

This can happen when you find yourself in a situation where the idea of considering an alternative career path starts playing in your mind. The logical thing to do is often to talk to people we trust and then draw from their well-intended suggestions such as “you should be a teacher; you are so good with kids” or “why don’t you look into nursing – you are so patient and kind”. This can lead to a whole lot of random thoughts and more confusion rather than answers.

So how can you calmly explore some alternatives that will lead to that eureka moment?

Be willing to work through a bit of a process and make time available to think.

Avoid seeking answers or rationalising thoughts – actively stop yourself from asking: ‘how am I going to do this, where do I go to find… what if… ‘

Just let your mind create as many options as possible with no consideration for the practicality. You might come up with options you have never thought of before.

Replace those disruptive thoughts with big picture questions.

Let’s explore a few.

What would I really like to do if I could design my ultimate dream job? Think of all the components of a job that you would really like to do. Design that job description as well as the requirements needed for that role.

What do I definitely not want to do or what do I want to try to eliminate in a job? Think of a job you were in, in the past and why it made you did not enjoy it. Identify the components of the role you want to avoid in a future role.

What am I good at and really enjoy doing and why am I good at it? What makes me enjoy it? List all the competencies you feel you have mastered – technical hard skills you believe will have value to an employer or in your next venture.

What are my strengths? Add in some soft skills and identify them along with some tangible examples of where you developed these skills.

What am I passionate about? Think here of skills developed in your career you feel you could potentially share with others and consider how you could do that.

What do I want to continue to do? Identify what you believe will create a solid foundation for your next role and summarise your skill set.

What have I always wanted to do? This is an opportunity to potentially identify a skill gap or an area where you could develop new skills.

Write down all these thoughts and think of past examples where you can. Keep on track by avoiding any of those “how” questions keep on adding information.

The next step will then be to explore and test your ideas considering a whole host of aspects that will draw a realistic, practical and viable conclusion.

If you are in a fortunate position to now follow a path you are designing, this process will certainly create some clarity and hopefully a renewed spark and positive energy to take control of your career decisions.