Recently I have been coaching a lot of people exploring new careers or experiencing a change in their work situation. I am also currently experiencing a career change myself, and I can see a pattern that we all seem to have in common but are hesitant to talk openly about.
The first one is the belief that everyone else has a plan and a path and there is a fear of being “caught” with/or coming across as not having a plan for life. An imposter syndrome that I use to explain as — the feeling that everyone else got a manual for life, and you did not get one.
The second one is the strong identity that a job, role, title, and industry gives you. Getting stripped from this identification leaves you naked with a lot of self-reflection — when I am not identifying with this job or role, who am I? and who do I want to be?
Work creates a feeling of belonging, a place to integrate with the community, and a place to achieve, grow, learn, and collaborate with others. Community and collaboration with others is such an important cornerstone for well-being. Striking a balance between deriving a sense of fulfilment from a job and maintaining a broader sense of identity beyond the professional realm is crucial for well-being and a holistic self-understanding.
We are not living for a CV — you will not put your resume on your tombstone, so choose your career with your heart and not by what looks good on a piece of paper. On the other hand, a good story telling your path and career choices is important to make people understand who you are and what you are passionate about, for the right opportunities to come your way.
The only known is change, and regardless of the plan you have, no plan survives contact with reality. As Dr. Patricia Widmer writes in her article Plan vs. Reality — From Career Planning to Career Implementation — “Career plans are, in principle, often nothing more than a theoretical vision. Yet, the future reality usually looks much different. Globalisation, digitalisation, career breaks, returns and transitions along with the rapidly evolving job market and economic cycles are only a few of the reasons for this… A more agile, fluid career plan, however, can be very helpful as it serves as a point of reference and guiding principle, but it should never be restrictive. It involves reflecting upon where one wants to be professionally in the next three to five years and how to get there.”
When we chase certain jobs or titles to meet others’ expectations it leads us away from our genuine selves. The key is to find that equilibrium where your job fulfils you, yet leaves room for your overall identity to thrive.
Here are a few reflection questions to explore this topic further:
- Without using any titles (such as CEO, mom, sister etc) how would you describe yourself?
- If you did not have anyone (or yourself) judging your career decisions, what would you do in your career now?
- If you had full financial freedom, what would you work with?
