July 2008 ARM Career & Life Coaching Newsletter

Is Your Career Heading In The Right Direction?

"Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it." - Author Unknown

Is your career heading in the right direction? Not sure how to evaluate it? Or where to begin?

Not knowing is no longer ok.

Regardless of where you are in your career, knowing the direction it is heading gives you more freedom, power and control.

Below are key measures to help you.

Work Content

It's heading in the right direction if: You enjoy the essential functions of your job. The work strengthens your strengths. When working it feels fun and is meaningful to you.

It's cause for concern if: The essential functions of your job drain you. Your work is a source of deep unhappiness. The responsibilities of your job highlight and focus on your weaknesses.

Opportunities

It's heading in the right direction if: Your work gives you the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. You continually learn from your colleagues and clients. You learn things you didn't expect to. You see opportunities to grow and advance.

It's cause for concern if: You face the same challenges as you did two or more years ago. You feel more experienced and advanced than your colleagues and are unable to learn from them or your clients. You are not in positions that challenge you or require you to grow.

Ownership

It's heading in the right direction if: You have made your own personal decision to be in your job and career. You are at peace and feel content with your decision.

It's cause for concern if: You are solely in your job and career to please others or to win their approval and acceptance. Your career choice is solely based on external influences and you have never considered your own feelings, needs or opinions.

Skills

It's heading in the right direction if: You are acquiring transferable skills, significant experiences and credibility that will support you throughout your work life.

It's cause for concern if: Your skills are becoming obsolete, are not valued by the marketplace and are not preparing you for the realities and challenges of the future.

People

It's heading in the right direction if: You enjoy the people you work with and those in your industry. You like being in their company and can relate to them.

It's cause for concern if: You wear a mask each day and have become unrecognizable to yourself and your family.

Is your career heading in the direction that you want? If not, what changes are you making?

Choose one area and determine what changes you can make.

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