Hey Reader,
You've got your 5-10 year career and life plan locked right?
All figured out and sorted?
Me neither!
Every time a boss or mentor-like-human has asked me about my long-term career goals I would laugh and say "no, YOU tell me what my career COULD be!".
Now, I don't believe bosses or anyone else is in a position to share with someone what they SHOULD do (remember, we don't "should" ourselves or others).
As someone who was doing UX-y things before my original industry called ourselves UX Designers, my career has happened to me. Opportunities have sought me out, and been plentiful and easy to say "yes" to. As an ambitious feminist I seemed to rocket up the responsibility ladder in the office saying "yes" to more and more responsibility, business accountability and humans to care for. Mostly, I loved it! Big problems to solve, humans to learn from and teach, well compensated. But it was also a real struggle along the way. My first marriage ended in divorce, my mental and physical well-being suffered, and nearly 20 years later I am realizing that some more thoughtful "no thank you's" along the way would have been smart.
So now what?
I've been actively choosing to zig when everyone expects you to zag and it has been the most self-actualizing gift I have ever given. It's the first time in my career I have made a conscious choice to say "no thank you" to one path, and "oh hell yes" to another.
This can look large – I'm 99.9% sure I'll never return to corporate life.
Or small – Choosing rest or creativity on a Tuesday. Also much quieter to do things like groceries and errands mid-week.
Even on an entrepreneurial path there are "shoulds" I'm choosing to zag.
I've learned it's more about keeping doors open and talking to more humans, and less about building a polished product for a refined persona.
I'm thinking about the common through-line in my work, not where I'm headed next.
Career Hour 1
Here's your weekly invitation to take time for yourself to approach your week with intention, a focus on impact and prioritize leading yourself in human-centered ways.
Monday
Career
Hour 1
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What do I most enjoy learning about that will compliment and expand my core skillsets?
- If I think BIG about the possibilities of my career – what are my wildest dreams?
- What does “career” mean to me as an individual? How does this express my values and bring me satisfaction.
- How can I build and maintain my professional network to open possibilities I may not yet be aware of?
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Breathe in, breathe out. Do the damn thing.
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