As the summer holidays draw to a close and the school year resumes, it’s a natural time to reflect on the past months and plan for the remaining part of the year. While many people reserve reflection and planning for specific times, such as the start of the year, taking stock now can be equally valuable. Whether you’ve just returned from a break or are gearing up for the last few months of the year, it’s an excellent opportunity to reassess your working life and make meaningful changes. Here are four questions to guide you in transforming your professional life:
Question one – What am I not happy about in my working life?
Take a moment to assess your current work situation. What aspects are leaving you dissatisfied? Consider the nature of your work – are you finding it fulfilling and challenging? Reflect on your relationships with colleagues and the overall alignment with the organisation’s mission and values. Evaluate your work-life balance, the length of your commute, and other logistical factors. Make a list of everything that’s not working for you in your current role.
Question two – What do I want my working life to look like?
Building on the issues you’ve identified, think about what you would like to see change. Envision your ideal work scenario. What changes would make your job more satisfying? If the current work doesn’t engage you, what kind of work would? If the organisation’s culture isn’t a good fit, what type of organisation would align better with your values? Consider whether adjustments can be made in your current job or if a more significant change, such as switching roles, pursuing freelancing, or starting your own business, might be necessary.
Question three – What are the obstacles?
Now that you have a clear picture of your ideal work life, it’s important to recognise the obstacles standing in your way. If you’re considering a new role, what skills or experience do you lack? For those contemplating self-employment, what are your concerns about the financial risks or uncertainties? Identifying these barriers will help you understand what needs to be addressed to move forward.
Question four – What can I do to overcome these obstacles?
With a list of obstacles in hand, it’s time to develop actionable steps to overcome them. If you need additional skills or knowledge, what resources or training can help you acquire them? If fear of the unknown is holding you back, what strategies can you use to mitigate these fears? This is the stage where you take proactive steps to address the challenges and start working towards your goals. Whether it involves seeking mentorship, pursuing education, or exploring new job opportunities, taking concrete actions is crucial.
Transitioning from reflection to action can be daunting, but it’s essential for making progress. The process of setting clear goals and actively working to achieve them can make any unsatisfactory situation more manageable. Remember, it’s far more productive to address these issues head-on rather than letting them linger.
As you move into the final few months of the year, use this time to take stock and implement changes that will lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying work life. If you need guidance or support in this process, reaching out to family, friends of other professionals in your field can be a valuable step in making your aspirations a reality.
Taking action!
This is the scary bit, because it’s much easier to think about what’s wrong, and daydream about your ideal role than it is to actually take steps to get yourself there.
But maybe it’s scarier to think that this time next year you’ll still be there, with the same issues, and not having made progress towards your goals?
If working with us is something you’re thinking about, now is a great moment to take the next step. You can download our prospectus to get a detailed look at what we offer, or you can reach out to us to schedule a conversation. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals and answer any questions you might have about working with face2faceHR.