| Third, tune into your values, strengths, and objectives. Focus on what matters most to you, Is it financial security, opportunities to learn new skills, the types of colleagues or customers you interact with? Ask yourself some tough questions: Do you trust that management is making good decisions? Do you feel appreciated for your strengths or are you being given projects that bore you? Are your employer’s mission and organizational culture consistent with your values? Do you have influence in your organization, or do you feel like a cog in the machine?
Fourth, take care of yourself. Take steps to support your physical and mental health, such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness, and relaxing with friends or a hobby. It can be tempting to let such basic self care lapse in times of stress, but that’s just when we need to be more protective of ourselves in order to be more observant, more creative, and more effective.
Fifth, take appropriate action. Refresh your connections with former colleagues and mentors, update your LinkedIn profile, upgrade and diversify your skills, rethink your expenditures and set aside funds for a rainy day. With your values and objectives in mind, consider whether an internal transfer, external job search, side hustle, or something else will serve you best. Brainstorm with trusted friends and advisors to better understand what you need and what you have to offer. Nourish your curiosity with new experiences and by meeting new people. These approaches will not only support you in the near term, they will strengthen you as a person and as a colleague or manager.
I’m always doubtful about predictions of the future. Most predictions, whether of doom or utopia, turn out to be inaccurate even when they contain elements of insight. I am persuaded that the best path to security, success, and happiness involves knowing what is important to you, cultivating relationships with kindred spirits and also with people with different perspectives, and nourishing your curiosity so that when the unexpected happens you notice potential opportunities as well as risks. It’s unlikely that the sky is falling, but if there are acorns or even debris landing around you, you want to be able to assess what it is and what it means for you.
I’m always interested in hearing from you. Please send me your responses to this newsletter, forward these thoughts to others who may benefit, and let me know if I can support you in important decisions.
by Deborah Frangquist – Deborah@chosenfutures.com |
