A Structured Approach to Career Pathing
Posted on February 25, 2016 by Susan Maggetti, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
Want to learn how to find your true path? Follow these 7 steps.
I have coached many people to find their true path in life, from the new graduate to the more experienced manager that suddenly realizes they may have been on the wrong path. One of my favorite and most rewarding examples was a gentleman (I’ll call him Joe) that came to me completely lost and unsure of where he wanted to be. In fact, the only thing he knew for sure, it wasn’t the financial world. Below is the process I take all of my clients through and for Joe, it helped him discover his love of the nautical world and he is now successful and happy in California building boats.
Step 1. Self-discovery: I begin with some form of a self-assessment (I have used Predictive Index, Strengths, DiSC, and Myers Briggs), most people have not taken the time to really sit with themselves to understand their true value and innate talents.
Step 2. Self-analysis: What do you enjoy doing? What energizes and excites you? What do you dread? (I categorize this as tasks you would rather have a root canal than complete) These are tasks you avoid and that zap your energy.
Step 3. Vision forward: For some people this comes easy, they have a picture in their mind already of where they would like to be in three to five years. For most, the image is very blurry and sometimes nonexistent. I walk my visual clients through a mind map exercise to allow them to think outside of the box and use what we have learned from the self-discovery and analysis process. For the more linear or sequential thinker, we make lists.
Step 4. Research: Once you have narrowed down potential paths, it is time do some research. What does it take to become a Forest ranger? Teacher? Relationship manager?
Step 5. Tap into your network: Chances are in your 500 LinkedIn connections, there is someone who knows someone that can give you more insight into a particular role or path. Have a prepared list of specific questions ready when you speak with them (How did they get started? What training / education was needed? What does it take to succeed?).
Step 6. Set goals: Follow your dreams…one step at a time. You should have a structured approach with measurements and time commitments built in (insert personal plug here – this is where having a professional coach increases your success rate).
Step 7. Stick to it: Currently, there are so many demands coming from all directions it can be easy to lose sight of our goals. You are the CEO of you and the sole person responsible for your career path. We spend more time working than many other activities in life and you owe it to yourself to be fulfilled, engaged, and energized on a daily basis!
My wish is for everyone to find their true path. The more engaged we are in our work, the more successful we will become!
Interested in learning more or exploring your own path? Let’s work together!
