A client recently asked for help with a 5-year career plan and I realized it might be a good thing to share. My approach goes from the inside out. We have to get clear on who we are and what we want, then turn to the job/career market and see what is possible. Here goes:
- What unique skills and abilities do you bring? I usually use several tools and then “read the tea leaves.” My go-to tools are Strengths-Finder 2.0, the Seven Stories Exercise from the 5-O’Clock Club, and Myers-Briggs. Also consider your level of ambition. How far do you want to go? Combine all of those and hopefully some job titles will emerge.
- How does career fit your life? Try using the wheel of life. Your career is only one piece of who you are, and you will eventually give up if you are not finding what you need in other areas.
- Who do you want to be along the way? Work is not just about “doing”; It is about “being.” And who we are is often found in our values. An exercise I love for this is the Dinner Party exercise, first shared with me by my coach, Cat Williford. Here it is: Think of 8-12 people you’d like to invite to dinner. For each write three adjectives that describe them, then look at the list. What words do you see repeated? What themes emerge? Distill the top 3-5 and those are very close to who you are at your best.
- Now hopefully the big picture is in place. Breaking it into more manageable pieces, what are the milestones? What is the timing of those milestones? What do you need to demonstrate to get there? Who might be a good advocate for you along the way?
- Ideally you have developed a plan that is organic and that aligns with your natural strengths. That makes work easier and creates new opportunities. If you do see any obvious gaps in experience or management abilities, consider how you might address those.
- And finally, a loose plan is a good plan. As we learn, we sometimes change what we thought we wanted. Let yourself re-evaluate from time to time and know that changing your mind is not a sign of failure; it’s a sign of growth.
Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Claire