During high school and college, most of us struggled to
answer the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” It seemed like you had to select one career
and stick with it. FOREVER. If you
pursued a business, finance or (gulp) an English or history degree, you may
have just fallen into your first job and then decided whether or not to stick
with it.
In your 20’s, you - hopefully - experienced a few “ah-ha’
moments that either (a) led you down the same career path (b) guided you in a
different direction or (c) caused a major bump in the road forcing you to switch
all together.
Yet switching gears in our 20’s (and maybe even early 30’s) seemed
or, at least, felt easier. We have fewer life complications (i.e, mouths to
feed, people to take care of etc.), are less risk averse, and can even muster the
energy to pursue another degree or enroll in courses or leadership training
classes. Plus, we may still be viewing life through rose-colored glasses. In
your 20’s and 30’s, you are still ready to change the world and are much
less-jaded then your 40 or 50 year-old self.
In short, life is easier.
Then you hit your 40’s. Both your professional and personal
lives have run a marathon – and they aren’t necessarily on the same track. You realize you have “been there, done that”
and want something more, different or better for your professional life. But
what does that look like? What is most important and why? How do you feel
fulfilled while still meeting your professional goals?
You aren’t sure where to start.
And at this point in your life and career, you need to find a career that leverages your education, skills and experiences (cause let's face it - most of us aren't going back to school and starting over and our time is precious) in a way that is exciting, challenging and personally rewarding too.
And at this point in your life and career, you need to find a career that leverages your education, skills and experiences (cause let's face it - most of us aren't going back to school and starting over and our time is precious) in a way that is exciting, challenging and personally rewarding too.
Here are 4 steps to follow to align your professional and personal goals:
1.
Articulate Your Top 10 Professional Goals
Think about your career – what you have
liked and what you haven’t liked professionally. Don’t forget about intangibles
like culture and leadership. Highlight what is most important for you to have
in your next company and role/career path.
2.
Do it Again – Except now focus on your
top 10 personal goals
What is going on in your life now? What is
most important and can’t be dismissed? How does this impact your professional
choices?
3.
Look at both lists and make 1 list
This is where it gets tough. You have to
make choices. But this is the most important part of the process and why so
many people in their mid-late careers struggle. We struggle when we aren’t willing to make choices,
and stick to them. It becomes analysis paralysis. No one company or role can
meet your needs if you don’t figure out what you have to have versus what you
want to have.
4.
Develop a job search strategy that is
governed by this list
This is THE key to success. You need to
make a list and stick to it. When you evaluate your opportunities, if they don’t
meet your needs, take the hard pass. It is easier to accept what role or job
offer falls in our laps rather than pursue what is the best fit but that is
when people end up unhappy.
Conclusion
Even in your 40’s and 50’s, it is ok not to
know what you want to be when you grow up. Your career is a journey. Not
a destination. We just need to remember how to enjoy the ride.
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