Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 10th May 2011 | 2 comments
In my early - and very unhappy - years as a Sydney solicitor, I used to think that one day I would magically have THE revelation, or read THE book, or attend THE course, and I would instantly know what was my perfect career, the one thing I was destined to do for the rest of my life. (I certainly knew it wasn't law...)
But it wasn't like that at all, for me. I muddled through several unsuccessful career changes, I lurched from idea to idea and tried a heap of things that satisfied me for a while but weren't quite 'IT'. Finally, I stumbled upon what has proved to be my ideal mix - part training, part coaching and part writing. I love what I do...now.
And so when I started the program that has now evolved into the Escape Hatch, I spent a long time developing processes that would cut out the need for all that meandering around, trying this and that, ways that I could make it quicker and easier for my clients to find more satisfying careers, even discover their life purpose and put it into action. And to some extent, I have succeeded. There are definitely shortcuts, ways to maximise the learning and fast-track the change process. Tools like the Highlands Abilities Battery, my new and fabulous strengths/abilities assessment, give a most useful insight.
But (and it's a big but...) it took me ages to realise that all that trial and error, experimenting and stumbling around IS the process, or at least part of it. You can't redefine yourself in your head, not entirely. There comes a time when you have to try things out in the world, be prepared to stumble into a few blind alleys. To suck it and see.
So now I encourage my clients to develop a shortlist of possibilities, then design experiments to test which ones are headed in the right direction. Maybe it's doing a short course, or interviewing an expert in that field, or doing some grown-ups' work experience with an expert master or a firm that can offer you some clues. And always being mindful, always being open for the subtle signs, so you notice which of your experiments bring you closer to the answer, and which do not.
It's a bit like that childhood game of 'Hot and Cold' - you remember, where you were blindfolded, looking for something, and your playmates called out 'hot' or 'warm' or 'cold' as you slowly (and often painfully, I still remember the bruises) inched your way to the unseen target.
That's often how it is if you're seeking to change your career - or your whole life, for that matter.
What are your stories? Have you tried some experiments in change? How did they go?
Tag: career
What a brilliant article and so true, I can really relate as my business has evolved over the last 5 years.
I wish access to your knowledge - I probably would have my "process" speeded up.
I was constantly on the look out for THE course, book, mentor.
Spent heaps of money and ended up confused a lot of the time, until now.
Clarity has finally visited me, thanks for the brilliant post!!
Maria
Maria, thank you. At least I'm not the only one who spent too long searching for the magic pill!