What's Your Vision
/What Would You Be Doing Now if…
This is the fourth in a series of articles for consideration when thinking about yournextnext™. The content is based on the Springer-Alvarez talent development model for Employees and Employers.
If you woke up and found out that the profession/job you have been in for the past however many days or years no longer existed, what would you do? What direction would you take? What would be your vision for your next next™?
In this context, vision is defined as the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. During this time of a pandemic, many of us are contemplating our vision. What will our future world look like, and what opportunities exist for us in this new world of work?
Most of us cringe when we think about the common interview question, “Where would you like to be in three to five years?” Well, it’s honestly difficult for most people to answer this question right now because there are more unknowns now than ever before. Certain industries such as hospitality, airlines, and retail have been decimated by this pandemic. Big cities with high rates of infection have emptied out, with migration to the suburbs. Unemployment grew and essential workers became scarce. These shifts and more have caused us all to pause and reassess our vision for the future.
Executive coaches are quite busy these days helping their clients identify the best path for finding one’s vision. The coaching process typically begins with identifying activities that bring you satisfaction, skills that you want to further develop, interests that you want to further explore, and an examination of your strengths and weaknesses. While going through a self-discovery process is important when seeking out your vision, practicality cannot be ignored. There may be arrows pointing toward careers that are becoming extinct in a post-COVID world, or your interests may line up with roles that require higher levels of education. Some opportunities require relocation and some may be so specialized that the likelihood of being hired is extremely low. When considering your vision in this new world, an executive coach can not only guide you through this discovery; they can help you assess the pros and cons and keep the practical aspects in your line of sight.
If you are currently working from home, feeling stuck in your career and unsure of your vision, here are three steps that you can take today on your own:
1. Explore where you are now. What different work could you be doing in your current organization? Are there other divisions that pique your interest? With whom can you have honest and confidential conversations to investigate the possibilities? Leaving your current organization, especially if it is large and has good financial performance, should be a last resort, and only after you have thoroughly researched opportunities or decided that there is not a fit there. Typically, employee benefits, opportunities for long-term wealth accumulation, and trust and reputation built over time, have high value for an employee. Companies almost always try to retain high potential talent and may be open to designing new roles in order to keep their valued employees.
2. Identify what you long to do; your passion. Some of us know what we want to do next and some of us don’t. If you know what you want, consider whether it can be incorporated into a career. If it requires mastery, identify how to get more experience. Whether it means volunteering or taking classes, these extra steps can help to confirm your interest and distinguish you when being evaluated for positions. Consider your network as well. Talking to others about your interests will not only help you learn more but will enable you to let others know that you are looking to pursue a new career.
If you are still discovering your passions, give yourself a timeline for exploring options. Start by asking yourself these questions: Is there something you long to do but never tried? Is there a strong interest you have, that you have always wanted to pursue? Are there classes or community service opportunities that sound appealing? Who is in your network that you can brainstorm with and get insight into how others see you? This is when career pivots happen – when you take the time to validate your true interests and look externally to confirm that you have a network of supporters to help make your pivot a reality.
3. Understand where your career fits with your overall priorities in life. Ask yourself, “Do I work to live, or do I live to work? This answer may shift as you advance further along in your career and as you age. This is an important self-reflection, not to be taken lightly. While there are many who can easily identify their passion, realities such as family obligations, illness, children’s education, and unexpected expenses can delay a plan to pursue them. Additionally, if pursuing your next career leads you to an industry that is suffering or an expertise that is becoming obsolete, it is best to be open to seeing it and exploring adjacent spaces where you can use your talents in a role where there will be a future demand.
While most of us are at home, working and trying to stay safe, this is an ideal time for self-reflection. Regardless of your stage of career, if you are feeling the need to pivot in the future, it is never too early to create a plan. You have a finite number of years to work and accumulate wealth. Your prime earning years will likely be between the average ages of 35 to 55. Depending on the many factors that can influence this average, you may or may not be in a position to act on this short-term; however, having a plan to work towards can be empowering. Exploring your options now will provide you with future opportunities to expand your skills, know who to seek out for future support and time to get those around you on board with your plan
We will likely be working from home and having the time for contemplation about our careers for many more months ahead. Use this time wisely and take these steps for creating your vision. Then the next time you are asked “What is your vision for the next three to five years?,” you can comfortably respond with, “I have a vision and a plan for getting there.”
Springer Alvarez is a team of executive coaches working with companies and professionals who are navigating the new world of work. Their work includes insights into current trends in talent management, leadership development and preparing for a future of work that is mutually beneficial to both employers and employees.
© Copyright 2020 by Eileen Springer and Christine A. Alvarez
