As we head rapidly towards the half-way point of 2022, I’ve been having some interesting client conversations about current trends in the employment market.
Late in 2021 we started hearing about “the great resignation”, a phenomenon where workers were re-evaluating their work-life balance and voluntarily opting out of their chosen careers. In Australia in early 2022, it seemed the issue for many employees was less an interest in significant change and more about surviving the “great slump”, the drain on motivation and energy experienced after the pandemic.
A few more months on and I’m noticing an evolution of this trend emerging.
The toll of the last few years might have impacted professional and personal priorities, you know you want something new or different, even if you’re not sure what it is. And right now, the economic landscape has never held more opportunity for changing or up leveling your career.
But… so many people are remaining stuck doing work they don’t want to do, that’s neither interesting nor challenging, isn’t meaningful or fulfilling, and doesn’t align with their values.
Hmmm… Do you relate?
There’s never been a better time to design a meaningful career you love
There’s been so much change over the last couple of years, trying to figure out the right steps to a more meaningful working life possibly seems just too hard. I get it… and, you’re not alone.
Sometimes it’s just easier to put your head down and keep going. But, ask yourself this… will staying on the same path lead to satisfaction?
This time, right now, 2022, is the best time in many decades for mid-career professionals interested in changing paths.
Employers are struggling to find top talent to replace gaps in their organisations and, while there’s still more work to be done, there’s more emphasis than ever on greater levels of diversity and representation in workplaces. Paths you might have previously believed to be “no entry” for you, are more likely to be open.
And it’s not as difficult to achieve as you might think… it all starts will a little self-reflection.
How to change or enhance your career in 2022
1. CONDUCT A SELF-AUDIT
Schedule in regular time (weekly or monthly) to – understand your values and motivations and identify your non-negotiables. Then compare these with how you’re spending your time at work. Are there any trends? Or gaps?
2. HONESTLY EVALUATE
Be truthful with yourself about what you notice through your audits. Are you always acting in the way you intend to? For example, do you value spending your non-work time with your family but constantly respond to calls and emails during this time? Dig deep and try to uncover the root causes of anything you notice.
3. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Identify which behaviours or actions you can control and take responsibility for them, versus those placed upon you by your workplace or role. For example, if you value flexibility in the way you work, having an open conversation and requesting more support is within your control whereas a blanket, imposed organisational framework is not.
4. DON’T FEEL THE PRESSURE TO JUMP
Making a career change often takes time and is also doesn’t usually happen in one big leap. While individual circumstances will prevail, in the main, it’s an advantage to be taking steps and putting plans in place while remaining employed.
5. SMALL EXPERIMENTAL STEPS
Big change is best achieved through small, experimental steps. You don’t need to know the entire path from A to B before you get started, you just need to know the first step. As you take one step, the next will reveal itself. If a small step doesn’t work, all is not lost, just take another different step.
If you’ve hit a career crossroads or plateau, then 2022 is the year you should consider working it all out and finally make progress.
With half the year gone already, it’s not too late to make things happen this year. I’ve created this FREE workbook for you to capture your self-reflections and make a plan for the remainder of the year.