Could Redundancy Be an Opportunity?

2008-11-24T20:18:00.001-08:00

What if you have been thinking about taking the plunge and moving into a new career. You take your baby steps by talking to a few people, seeing whats around, putting out feelers with friends to get their opinion. Then Wam!! The financial malaise has come along at just the wrong time?

No more trips to Starbucks to chart out your new course. Instead at home brewing your own tea and then it hits you. Is now really the right time?

For many the idea of changing career in this time of uncertainty is too risky.

Don't let the credit crunch put you off making a career change.

It's a personal thing. We need to sit down and work out our own level of risk that we are comfortable with.

Today I was listening to a Brain Tracy tape about time management. He asked 'what is the most wasted time?' Hmmmm, I though t to myself. Is it it the the I spend changing outfits before going back to the first one I tried on. Its it all the excuses that I tell myself so that I can get out of doing stuff around the house. No none of these.

The answer...was blatantly obvious. The most wasted time you can spend is in a job that you hate, does not satisfy you and were you know deep down that you are never going to grow or get promoted.

If you have a job that supports you and meets your financial needs right now you are in a great position of being able to prepare for the career change you wish for. Things at the moment are in deed shaky. But there is absolutely nothing stopping you starting the process of a career change.

It really depends upon where you are in the process. Where ever you are start using this time wisely to put in place whatever you need to make the change.

You may have a crystal clear picture of what you need to do. But if you are like most of us then its likely that you don't know what you want to do.
Here are a few different steps that can help you clear the fog and gain clarity.

Take a look at Exploring Your Options:
Once you have identified the area to which you would like to move, use your time to research the possibilities within that area. For example what new skills might you need, what trainings do you need to do to bag your dream job? Could you get some work experience at weekends or evening, could you volunteer to gain the extra experience.
Set a realistic action plan and timeline. Start by asking yourself the following questions: What would I really like to do? What new career would I like? What role do I want and in what kind of business? The more details you have here the better your plan.
Stepping stones:Be true to yourself and ask yourself what steps do I need to take to make this happen? Then list them in order.
Resources: Ask yourself what resources do I need? Jot down all the things that you can think of for example help, advice, training, information, finance, experience, support, business start up advice.
Once you have identified all your needs you can then think about how you are you going to get them met. Are there people that you know that you can talk to? What research do you need to do? Ask friends "do you know of anyone who works in this field or who may know of someone who does that I can talk to?" . Perhaps is there a training courses to be enrolled in or online audio class I can listen to?
Identify the sources of the information you need and list the steps to get that information. If you don't know how to get certain pieces of information reach out through your friends and contacts. Never be afraid to ask!
Timings: Be realistic. There is no such thing as an unrealistic goal but there is such as thing as an unrealistic time scale. So be kind to yourself. Don't expect to get it all done in one day. Instead build that internal picture of when you would like to see yourself in a position to be applying for a new job. Taking that date work backwards through all the action points you have come up with. Are your timeliness realistic? If not go yourself a big favour and adjust them until they seem right for you. Decide on certain dates to check your progress. Make them into milestone where you can reward yourself for making those baby steps. Then keep going to the next step.

Whatever the economic climate by having a plan you can ensure that you will be doing the maximum possible to make the best career move for you. Who knows, maybe once you have used this time to prepare you will be ready and confident to make the move and it will seem less scary and risky.

I'm offering the first two readers that email me a free introductory coaching session via phone or email to discuss how I can help you identify and make the move you want. If you would like to arrange a time for this session please email me.

The Credit Crunch Coach Blog

2008-11-24T18:06:00.000-08:00

Like me, we've all heard of the credit crunch. Yet the more we hear about it the more we give in to the doom and gloom.

It does not help with our world leaders saying things like 'This sucker's going down!' (probably the most memorable 'bush-ism' to date).

That's almost as bad as being on a flight,about to tuck into the single serving
light lunch and seeing the pilot bail out passed your window seat. Hmmm not
good... You turn to see the reassuring air steward, who you hope will offer some
reassuring words of comfort. But underneath their spray tan, cracked red
lipstick and impeccable uniform, they're ready to bail too.

Alas, as our leaders ponder and plan our nerves our shaken as everyday it seems to be one thing after another.

Its NOW time for us to reach for that oxygen mask and the psychological life jacket under our seat. So we never quite got around to reading the small safety card in front of us and most likely did not give the safety demo our full attention. As the captain announces "Ladies and Gentlemen, Flight 'Life as we know it', is about to take an unscheduled detour..."

Its time to SURVIVE!!

This blog is about overcoming the emotional distress and equipping you for your personal journey of survival through the Credit Crunch.

Welcome to The Credit Crunch Coach

Your thoughts, inputs and questions are most welcome!!