Career Transformations: It all Starts with an Idea

As we close out the month of April and its theme of “Career Transformations”, I leave you with these thoughts to consider for making positive change in your work life.

Whether you are looking for fulfillment in work by…
Becoming an entrepreneur
Switching industries to something that has personal significance
Going to work for a large corporation
Starting a second career after retiring from the first
Taking your business in a new focused direction
Surviving an economic downturn
Making your current job more exciting and meaningful

…the process begins with you and your conscious decision to make something more from what you have. Believe that you do have the power to truly transform your work life into something that matters, no matter what your age, title, or experience.

Start by sitting down with pen and paper. Sketch out what you want and compare how that differs from what you have now. Create a plan for making small incremental steps and push yourself closer to the idea you have in mind. Set your goals, write due dates on your calendar, and stick with it. Persistence pays off and you’ll soon feel the momentum of your actions heading toward positive change.

In the words of Napoleon Hill (1883-1970), American author and creator of the “Philosophy of Achievement” teachings,

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans;
then transformation of those plans into reality.
The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.”

Do what you think you can. No idea is too small. Live the life of your dreams.

Please post a comment and share how you've made or will make a career transformation.

Career Transformations: Shy & Retiring?

Here’s a transformation that will affect us all one day – the move from Career to Retirement. Whether you are a Baby-Boomer (born between 1946–1964) thinking of your own upcoming departure from the workforce, are working with those who will soon be retiring, or watching friends and family go through this phase in their work lives, here are some interesting tips and facts from this month’s Kiplinger’s magazine:

75% - Baby-boomers who expect to work, at least part-time, in retirement.
64 years old – Age when 76% of Boomers plan to retire from their current career.
42% - Boomers who expect to cycle between work and leisure during retirement.
Over 50% - Those who plan on starting a new career after leaving the first one.

Some tips to assist those planning a move to a new “retirement career”:
Contact age-friendly employers identified by RetirementJobs.com and AARP. The list includes: Best Buy, Borders, Quest Diagnostics, REI, and Wells Fargo.
Contact VocationVacations and test drive your dream job idea before taking the leap. A mentor and hands-on experience in the desired field is provided to help confirm that this is the right move.
Update that resume and references, research possible employers, cultivate your network, and be persistent.

Online Resources and Books for finding work after Retirement:
Retirementjobs.com
Retiredbrains.com
Yourencore.com
Don’t Retire, Rewire by Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners
Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life by Marc Freedman
Portfolio Life: The New Path to Work, Purpose and Passion after 50 by David Corbett and Richard Higgins
Age Power: How the 21st Century will be Ruled by the New Old by Ken Dychtwald

Among the Best places to find retirement jobs:
Albuquerque, NM Madison, WI
Durham/Raleigh/Cary, NC Nashua, NH
Fayetteville, AR San Antonio, TX
Joliet/Naperville, IL Sarasota, FL
Las Vegas, NV Seattle/Bellevue, WA

Valuable information for those planning their exit strategy. By the way, experts say that planning should begin 3 to 5 years before the actual departure date. Baby Boomers are redefining what “retirement” means and the majority have plans to stay engaged in work in some shape or form during those years. Please pass this along to anyone who’s talking about retirement and has plans for a big second act!

Your comments are always welcome.

Career Transformations: From Good...to Great!

In Jim Collins’ book From Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t, he says “Greatness is largely a matter of conscious choice.” I believe that individual greatness is the same – we make the conscious choice to be average, pretty good, or really great in our jobs and careers. Think about it – what do you need to do to move up that scale to greatness? Upgrade your skills, stretch yourself by taking on a new project, or move into that career path that better suits you? Here are some more ideas and information on transforming your career into something truly great:

From Secure to Fragile: If layoffs are looming in your work environment, now’s the time to step up your involvement and visibility. After sharpening your time management and delegation skills so you can focus on higher priority tasks, offer to take on new projects and participate in the company’s initiatives to build revenue. Be a model employee by always being on time, demonstrating a positive attitude, and handling yourself professionally. Document your accomplishments and high-level activities, not only for your own self confidence, but also to fill your boss in on what you’re doing to be of value during tough times. While keeping busy with this plan, look out for yourself and continue your networking, updating your resume, and stay tuned in to what your next move might be if it becomes necessary.

From Broad service offerings to Focused service offerings: For small business owners, it’s easy to take on too much and try to be “all things to all people”. If you’re finding yourself spread a little thin these days with no time to accomplish all that work on your plate, do a little Quantity-Quality evaluation. List all the services you provide and the revenue each brings in to your company and the clients that purchase those services. Make a decision to stick with the ones that bring in the most money and attract the best clients. Recheck your list by factoring in the happiness component – which tasks and services are you providing that bring you the most joy? Weigh that against the revenue factor and see which you should consider keeping, then really focus and build on those few. Let the others go.

From White Collar to “Green Collar”: According to a recent article in Business Week, many mid-career changers are choosing a new path to benefit their passion, the environment. By assessing your skills and interests, you may find a position you can easily transition into while pursuing your passion for Mother Earth. This is a relatively new field for job seekers: There are currently 8.5 million of these "green-collar jobs" in renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industries in the U.S. and a November report commissioned by the American Solar Energy Society projects that number could grow to 40 million by 2030. Whatever your passion, the same evaluation process of your skills and interests will be of value. Transitioning into something you love may not be as difficult as you think!

More things to consider this month as we explore the idea of career transformation. What conscious choices can you make this week to move from just good to truly great in your work life?

“Man’s greatness lies in his power of thought.”
Blaise Pascal - French mathematician, philosopher and physicist (1623-1662)

Please post a comment! Let others know how you've transformed your career into something great.

Career Transformations: You Get to Choose

In keeping with the beautiful season of Spring, this month’s theme is about transformation – those that you can choose for your work life. Notice the word “choose”. We all have faced career changes for one reason or another – layoff, relocation, and job dissatisfaction, to name but a few. The choice comes in how you view it, especially if the change was not your idea. With a good plan, a positive outlook, and a strong support system, making a job change can be a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally.

Take a look at these examples and ideas on steps to choose from for a smooth transformation:

From Entrepreneur to Employee: Weigh the pros and cons carefully along with your commitment to each. Make a decision based on what’s best for you personally first. If you are leaning toward going to work for someone else, sketch out what your ideal job will look like – you have valuable experience someone will honor in exchange for the perks you desire. If you decide to stay the course, determine what you need to do differently, write it out, get objective opinions from experts, and commit wholeheartedly to making it happen.

From an “Ok” job to a Dream Job: If you are often pulled into thoughts about another career path, there’s something there you need to look at. Begin your exploration, weigh the pros and cons of leaving that “ok” job, volunteer or shadow someone in the field you’ve got your sights set on, and decide when you’re most comfortable making the move. Confer with family members to get their understanding and support. If leaving the “ok” job is not feasible at this point in time, find ways to make it more challenging and rewarding while you continue to plan ways to your new path.

From Stay-at-home Mom to the Work World: Dust off that resume and do some re-working of it. Make a list of all the tasks and responsibilities you’ve undertaken while at home. Those do indeed transfer into skills an employer will value. Don’t discount any volunteer work – leading discussion groups, coordinating fundraisers, and serving others in some capacity all add up to making you a viable job candidate. Now make a list of companies and industries you find interesting, do some research, and plan your approach to getting a job that fits you.

Food for thought if you have been tossing around career change ideas. If you know someone else in these situations, please pass this information along. We’ll cover more possible scenarios throughout the month. Regardless of the reason for the change, there are always choices to be made to make it rewarding and yes, even enjoyable. You get to choose.

"The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Please post your comments about your own career transformations.

Career Advice: Help! I've Landed a New, but Miserable Job!

Dear Debbie:
I got a new job about 3 months ago and am realizing it’s not at all what I expected. I don’t want to look like a “job hopper” on my resume although this is getting unbearable. Help! How long do I have to stay in this situation where I’m miserable? Candace J.

Dear Candace:
First question for you: What drew you to that job in the first place? There was something there that attracted you. I suggest remembering what that was, defining why it hasn’t panned out, and determining if there’s any chance of making this work for you for at least another 3 months. If you are building a career, it’s important to show progressive moves and some tenure on your resume. Ask yourself what is working there and how can you do more of those tasks, work with those people, or take on those projects. Be objective in your analysis before you move too hastily and possibly make the same mistake with the next job. Talk to your close friends and confidants and ask for their objective input. Doing work you love and are passionate about it is very important; however, before jumping too soon from a job you’re not getting that from, do a thorough evaluation of the situation. After this type of analysis, you’ll know exactly what to do – stay a while longer and give it your best, or move on to something that serves you better. Whatever the case, you’ll feel better knowing you made a smart career move.

Do What You Love...Love What You Do! Career Advice for People on the Move
Please post a comment or a career related question.