The July 4th issue of Fortune Magazine features a cover story entitled “Pulling Off the Ultimate Career Makeover” by Douglas Alden Warshaw.
I believe that career invention is made much easier when you have a robust professional network at your disposal. The time and energy you have spent in the past creating and maintaining many mutually-beneficial relationships will serve you well when it’s time to reinvent your career. These are the people whom you go to first for feedback, ideas, connections and inspiration. These are the people you can discuss your crazy, wild, out-there ideas of what you could be doing next given your work experience, skill set and passions. Tap into them. They are a valuable resource for you!
Helpful Resources:
- Audio: At the bottom of this blog, you can access a free 12 minute audio program entitled “A Fork in the Road: networking for career change.” This chapter was originally part of my first book, Networking Ahead for Business, but we elected to pull it out in the final editing. (deleted scene, I suppose). Some ideas that you might be able to use in your re-invention strategy.
- Video: in 2007 I delivered a keynote talk “Energize Your Life: 10 Fast Track Secrets to Motivating Yourself to Action” to the Divorce Network in CT. While not a business audience, the content can be easily transferred to the work/career realm.
Your Networking Goal for this week:
Have lunch with someone in your professional network whom you value and trust. Open up the conversation with questions like “What If…” and “Why not?”. Share ideas of how your career might look differently in the future. Ask the question, “If money were not an issue, what would you be doing in your career right now?”
I encourage you to share ideas even if they are undeveloped at this time. This takes courage and trust. You may hear things you don’t want to hear. But re-invention takes guts and action. Dare to share the crazy career dreams that are in your head and heart with someone in your network. By letting the dream breathe fresh air, you are fueling its momentum and potential to become a reality for you.
Worst case scenario, you have a nice lunch with someone you like. Make time for it this week. Make time to reinvent your career (before the market does).