These days many people are being thrust into the position where they are forced to re-evaluate what they do for a living. It may be a result of losing their job, the threat of just that sort of thing happening, or considering whether this is the time for a complete change of scene. Some time ago, The Highlands Company published this case study in their newsletter, and we think its worth sharing. Although, in Mark’s case his reason for reflection may have been simply that he was feeling restless, the principles apply to anyone who is think about their next career step.
Two years ago, Mark Schwartz found himself in a dilemma familiar to many people in today’s corporate work world. He was working for an international computer company. After 10 years with this company, he began to question whether his personal goals and the goals of the company were in sync.
“I thought I liked what I was doing, I liked my co-workers and clients, the company had been very good to me. I just felt this restlessness and uneasiness I couldn’t put my finger on.”
These feelings are pretty common for most people Mark’s age. At 33, he was passing though what is called the Age 30 Assessment – one of the 6 Turning Points individuals regularly go though as part of a natural growth and development in the adult life cycle. The priority at this time is to evaluate events up to this point and decide what kind of course to set up for the next phase – usually the next 10 years.
Mark paid attention to the dissonance he was feeling and decided to be proactive. People confronted with one of life’s critical turning points typically handle the change in one of three ways:
• Group 1: Hold the road. Endure.
• Group 2: Change everything and anything. Now!
• Group 3: Take time for careful introspection, develop a long range plan, implement.
Mark Schwartz took the path of people in group 3. He decided to enter The Highlands Business Program’s Personal Strategic Planning Seminar. “ Like a lot of people, I guess, I had never taken time to sit down and focus on “me” – what I really cared about doing, the skills I enjoy using, the pace, the setting, the kinds of people I like to be around.”
“I came in with an open mind about outcomes. I did not want to force any agenda. I just wanted to see what came out at the end of all this work.” What mark discovered was that, “I was doing the right kind of work, but in the wrong environment for me. My innate abilities revolve around creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and written and verbal communications. I’m a big extrovert and I place high value on building long term, added value relationships. I really like creative approaches to solving problems.”
Mark is now with another high tech company in sales, but he feels the fit is much more in line with his vision of himself and his careers goals. “We are a younger, entrepreneurial company. I am able to structure programs and solutions for my clients using my innate creative skills. My clients are happy, and I get to play from strengths and my love. It’s a truly wonderful fit.”
Our experience shows that people who approach life’s Turning Points with a blueprint do measurably better. The blueprint should show what they are looking to attain and a plan on how to get there. In the critical areas of satisfaction, balance, and success, the people with a blueprint have a clear and marked advantage over those who either hunker down and gut it out, or those who throw their lives up in the air and attempt to change everything all at once.
Find out whether you have a strategic career vision
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Photo credit: quinn.anya
Article by Vandy Massey
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