I focused on dealing with career changes and following our dreams in recent posts. Now it’s time to turn our attention to redesigning your career. In today’s post, we will look at ten steps to write the best chapter of your life.
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Sometimes it’s a good thing when bad things happen.
Gone are the days when you stay with an employer for 30 years. Four years ago, I was laid off from my corporate communications job. While I wasn’t expecting my day job to go away, it didn’t take me long to see that it was the stepping stone to the next destination on my career path.
My story of being laid off has been on my mind lately as I see so many people taking part in the Great Resignation. Since my corporate job ended, I started:
- a freelance communications and public relations business,
- offering my services as a writing coach,
- writing a book, which I published in 2018,
- traveling to conferences as an attendee and a speaker, and
- teaching my favorite subject, English, at a community college.
But none of that would have been possible had I not taken control of my story.
And you can too.
This post will take you through the ten steps I used to map out a new life and career vision to write the best chapter of my life.
Step #1 – Define who you are to find the career you want.
The first time I got laid off, I was 29 years old. I was in such a rush to find another job that I ended up taking a terrible job that did not end well.
But the experience forced me to step back to define who I am.
Therefore, I had to ask myself questions like:
- What makes me different?
- Do I have products or services to offer?
- How can I highlight my accomplishments?
- Will people benefit from the information I can provide them?
- In what ways do I offer value?
These questions helped me understand who I am and what I have to offer to a potential new employer or client. The exercise also helped me develop my personal brand story.
You can create your questions or use Stanford’s career assessment tool.
Step #2 – Exercise your idea muscle in planning your next career.
I am a big fan of capturing ideas in a notebook or as part of mind mapping exercises. I like to use mind maps for everything from career planning to writing. A mind map is a chart that visually displays ideas. While some people like to create mind maps using notebook paper and pens, I like using an online mind mapping tool called MindMeister.
Once you decide which tool to use, here’s how mind mapping works:
- Write the topic in the middle of your paper or screen.
- Draw lines that point away from the middle. Each line expresses one thought or idea related to the subject. Use keywords to write these ideas onto each line.
- From each line, add more ideas. Don’t feel like you have to limit the number of ideas you add to a mind map.
- Use pictures, colors, and icons to help bring your map to life. This approach helps to spark new ideas during the brainstorming process.
You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere. Lee Iacocca
Step #3 – Use your ideas to map out your vision journal.
After completing the idea mapping activity, divide your ideas into two groups – short-term and long-term. First, select the ideas you want to pursue. Using a plain notebook, sketchbook, or journal, write a brief description of each idea. For example, one of my ideas was to write a book that helped people find hope and strength during challenging times. I listed the idea in my journal. Next, add pictures related to your ideas. You can draw images, cut out pictures from magazines, and add stickers. Since you are creating your vision, make it as clear, bright, and exciting as you want.
Step #4 – Bring your ideas to life with a vision board.
If you like the idea of having your vision posted on the wall, consider making a vision board. Your vision board should feature keywords and phrases from your idea map like the vision journal.
Don’t forget to add your favorite images, quotes, or objects. You can use various pictures like postcards, family photos, and photographs from magazines. Use index cards to write messages.
If you’re wondering where to begin, here’s a shortlist of tools for creating a vision journal or a vision board.
- Notebook
- Journal
- Sketchbook
- Pictures and words from magazines
- Markers and colored pencils
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Inspirational stickers
- Stencils
- Stamps and ink pads
- Art supplies (paint and brushes)
Step #5 – Start researching the next chapter of your career.
Make a list of all the ideas you want to explore from the mind-mapping exercise. Then, take the ideas you want to research and start listing questions about each idea. The questions you create for each idea should help you find the answers you need. For example, if you see yourself working as a professional writer, ask questions about everything required to begin working as a writer.
Answer the Public allows you to type in a keyword or phrase, and the tool generates a wheel of question keywords related to your topic.
Step #6 – Develop the skills you need to succeed.
Once you have your new career vision mapped out and researched, determine what skills you need to succeed. Talk to people who are doing the type of work you see yourself doing in the future. Create a list of the skills required and a timeline.
Step #7 – Build your brand.
Building a personal brand is not optional.
It is a strategy for survival. Personal branding, also referred to as personal marketing, helps you to:
- Establish your reputation in your industry;
- Promote your experience;
- Stand apart from your competitors; and
- Attract new employer, client, or fan.
In a world of economic uncertainty and job loss, you owe it to yourself to build your brand.
Taking the time to market your know-how and skills will move you closer to the next chapter of your life.
Step #8 – Take your new career vision for a test drive.
As you work to transition to your next chapter, find ways to test your new career vision. Look for opportunities to volunteer, job shadow, or work as an apprentice. Use your current job to explore new avenues for your career vision.
While working as a corporate communicator, I was fortunate to gather a lot of experience. I worked as a communications manager for our company’s manufacturing business unit in one role. To better understand the manufacturing world, I studied Six Sigma. While it wasn’t a requirement for my job, I saw it as an opportunity to move in a different direction. As a result, I use my Six Sigma knowledge to help clients with efficiency and productivity.
Step #9 – Track your progress.
Once you begin to work through your plan, keep track of your progress. Re-evaluate where you are and make changes as necessary. Don’t be afraid to switch gears if you don’t like something.
Step #10 – Don’t lose track of your new strategic vision.
Don’t lose track of your vision as you begin to map out the next chapter of your life. For example, if you dream of becoming a professional writer, don’t get discouraged if you don’t have 20 clients lined up. Instead, stay focused on your vision and keep working at it consistently. However, if money is running low, don’t be afraid to take a non-writing job to pay the bills. The most important thing is to not give up on your dream.
If you haven’t started your writing journey yet, there’s no better time than today. But, first, read through my 10 Steps to Writing a Nonfiction Book.
