Blog 39:  Help! I don’t have a clue where my career is going.  Help me to map out my career. PART 3:  making a career action plan . . . with feedback loops

your dynamic career planner

The planner provided (above) illustrates our journey through this blog series.

Here’s where you should be up to:

  • You’ve applied yourself to Blog 37, found the quiet space with the good coffee and reflected on your:  interests, skills, values, vision, goals and education.  Then you’ve bounced that off others to gain clarity. 
  • You’ve narrowed down your target job, applying yourself to Blog 38 and had a coffee with someone in your chosen industry. 
  • You’ve mapped out a possible road map to success, opening up networks in your industry. 

Now let’s turn this research into an action plan . . . with feedback loops.

cartoon of man being catapulting into a castle in hope it will further his career
©Pathway project

Create a journey planner to your target job (backward map)

It’s time to move from your possible road map to success to a well thought out plan you will follow through.  Here’s some of the key aspects that should be a part of your plan:

  • Make sure it has clear goals that are Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound (SMART)
  • Make sure it also includes gaining industry experience and opportunities for you to develop your network within your field.  Those networks will prove crucial down the track.
  • Work systematically and list the specific steps you will take on your journey.  Be diligent, this is a key part of the plan. 
  • Now make sure there are no big steps on the ladder.  You want small achievable steps that will help you meet those goals . . . and don’t miss any steps.  Look what happens if you don’t design your ladder well . . .
ladder missing a step
©NicePNG

Pursue the plan

You’ve set the plan and made small achievable steps.  Time to climb that ladder.  Make sure you have a good support network of people around you – folk who are positive, will cheer you on and help you when you stumble.  Because the journey won’t be smooth, there will be ups and downs and challenges along the way.  It’s the challenges that will make you!

And take your mentor with you on the journey.  Have those regular check-ins. 

Evaluate your progress and make small adjustments

Imagine you are going on a long road trip.  You keep checking the map to see that you are not off course, and your time goals are being met.  You’ll need to make small adjustments like any trip – there may be roadworks or a traffic jam that impede your progress.  Be flexible, but goal focused . . . and patient. 

You need to put this step in your life’s rhythm.  Diary for a stop and reflect every quarter or half year.  A time specifically career-focused to ensure you are on track.  And share your findings and thoughts with that industry mentor you gained in Blog 38.

You’re on the journey.  Have confidence in your plan.  Apply yourself and  . . . make sure you enjoy the journey . . . this is doing the stuff you enjoy (from Blog 37)

And don’t forget . . . the traits your managers value most is someone who is . . .

Hungry,  Humble,  Smart

  • Hungry to grow and achieve, hungry to get good results,
  • Humble, there is a humility at your core.  It doesn’t need to be all about you, but others, the team and the organisation.
  • Smart, how’s your emotional intelligence?  How are you at understanding others – customers, suppliers, your colleagues and management, yourself?

Don’t lose that on your journey.  Grow these three traits on your way.

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