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Having a road map for the future is a key element to well-being and success. When I was a child and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always had an answer. That answer changed significantly as time went on, but one thing never did…I always had a plan. Planning for our futures is very important even if those plans may change. Goals provide focus. With no guiding vision or plan, people tend to drift. It’s simply a fact: when people have goals to guide them, they are happier and achieve more than they would without having them. While setting goals is in itself motivating, sometimes it’s just not enough. Over time, motivation and desire fade unless we make deliberate strides toward our goals every single day. But getting into the mindset of being deliberate with our work is a paradigm shift. Being deliberate… means that we are always working on something with an end goal in mind. The important thing is to be clear about the goal. Once you have that, you can back-fill the details and tasks needed to get there – and, most likely, revise them as you gather feedback and experience along the way.
Where to Start?
What’s your Typology? Assessment of yourself and your skills are the first step toward developing a Career Plan that will lead to the type of position that you really want and in which you will be the most successful.
Life is a game; all its players are endowed with certain characteristics which make them “human”. However, all humans play the game for different reasons, with different pursuits, placing value and meaning on different prizes. We all have a different definition of what it means to win at the game of life. But “all” can be succinctly broken up into 16 incredibly accurate categories, based on four quadrants. Everybody is on a sliding scale in each quadrant, with Nature (how you’re born) and Nurture (influences over time) playing a role. Knowledge of this kind in relation to yourself, even as simply as understanding where you draw your energy, how you see the world, why you make decisions, and the manner in which you structure your time…will change your life for the better immediately. There are many versions of this test online… here is a shorter version of the Jung Myers-Briggs Typology Test.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm
Now that you “Know Thyself” let’s get to work! Certain occupations are more suitable for particular personality types than others are. However, personality type should not be the only factor you consider when choosing a career. The most direct path to success will be to develop a career plan that capitalizes on your existing interests, skills, and personality.
Skills Assessment
By assessing your skills and level of competence, you will better be able to know the job categories or classifications that you’re qualified to pursue. This tool was created by ISEEK and is based on data from the O*NET Resource Center, the nation’s primary source of occupational information.
http://www.iseek.org/careers/skillsAssessment
Industries and Jobs
An industry is a blanket term for any group of businesses. The U.S. economy is comprised of industries with diverse characteristics. Each industry has a unique combination of occupations, production techniques, inputs and outputs, and business characteristics. Research jobs and companies that offer the strongest match of your skills and experience. This will improve your chances of a successful job search. Start your research with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics “Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition” http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/
Find the Right Fit
It can be tempting to abandon your plan and jump at the first job you’re offered. That can be a mistake, especially if the job doesn’t further your career objectives. If you’re under pressure to pay your bills, take a “stop-loss” job. Prospective employers will understand why you had to work for a time at your local burger joint, what they won’t look kindly on is you taking a professional job in another field and then leaving it a month later.
Developing Your Career Goals
At this time it is important for you to put your dream down into writing. Take out a piece of paper and make a list of the most important things in life to you. After you have finished this list make another list of careers you would like to consider. Is there any career that stands out? How well does it fit with the list of important things in your life. Select “that” career and use it as the focus of your career map.
Your Map
To make things a little easier on you, I’ve designed a template for you and will post (if you don’t see email me a request.)
Review and Revise
A career plan is a living document…it should evolve as you do. Review your plan annually on some important date, like your birthday. Update it so it reflects where you are on your career path. The baseline logic is simple…take practical steps to go after what you want. If you do that, your life can get pretty close to perfect.
This may seem like a lot of work, but trust me it will be something you will use over and over again. Having a career plan in place can make the difference between wanting the career of your dreams and actually getting it. If you don’t design a plan, you are very likely to end up in a job you don’t like. It is also something you will be proud to show others…the design of your professional life. Good luck and have fun, remember it is your life you are planning. Be ambitious and do your best.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
