Picture credit, Tom Nulens, Adobe Stock
Wouldn't it be fantastic if we all had a clear idea of where we want to go next in our careers? Many people do, at least some of the time: a vision of their ideal job and the necessary steps to get there. They have a destination.
For many of us, though, it's not always so clear. A significant number of my clients come to me because they feel they are drifting, or even stuck, and their current role is not giving them the motivation or excitement that perhaps it once did.
But identifying a precise destination is not always easy - there are so many choices, risks, constraints, and uncertainties to consider. Sometimes it is helpful in coaching to think less of a final destination and more of a broad direction. While my clients may not have yet found their perfect job, they may have a clearer idea of the industry they would like to work in, or the sort of role they want. Figuring this out can help with moving forward, even if the exact endpoint is not clear. For one client, this meant taking a qualification in sustainability in her spare time; for another it meant speaking to her boss to shape her role around particular areas she wanted to learn more about.
Sometimes, though, even a direction can be tricky to discern - we may just have a sense of malaise in our current role, and a belief that "something better" is out there. In these cases, it can really help to think about our environment. Are we meeting new people? Are we being exposed to new ideas? Are we learning about new opportunities? Sometimes we just need to get the environment right, and the direction (and even destination) will follow. This might mean thinking about reconnecting with people in your network; or joining a new professional group; or even just spending time on LinkedIn browsing all the crazy and wonderful things people do in their working lives.
Coaching - and specifically, existential coaching - can help with this. Whether it is support to achieving a clear career destination, figuring out a broad direction of travel, or just being in an environment that helps you think, the support of a qualified and accredited coach can help you find the right, practical, next steps for you.
If you would be interested in exploring coaching with me, I'd be delighted to have a no obligations chat!
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