Turning Reflection into Action
At the time of writing this, the leaves have fallen and the days are getting shorter.
I always welcome the earth’s natural season shift as an invitation to reflect on where we are and where we want to be. It’s also important not to simply let the season of reflection pass by without using it to take action and gain momentum.
In this blog, we’ll take stock of your personal and professional goals. I’ll walk you through pausing for a time of reflection. And then, I’ll help you take those reflections and turn them into action. Ready to use this time of reflection intentionally to propel you to where you want to go? Read on!
Carving out Time for Reflection
Fall can be a busy time of year! While we simultaneously crave the downtime as the season shifts, we may feel pulled in a number of directions. In order to make time for reflection, you usually have to plan for it. Schedule a time of reflection on your calendar and give yourself the gift of space for personal and professional growth. Be intentional in choosing a day/time where you can spend time alone and without distraction.
Defining What You Want
Look back at what’s transpired in your life over the past year, five years, ten years. Map out your accomplishments and achievements, what are you proud of having done personally and professionally? Celebrate all your wins and successes, who you’ve become, and where you are today.
Then, reflect on the following questions:
What are you missing in your career or life?
What do you still feel you want to achieve or become?
What do you want for your life over the next year? What about in the next five years? What would make you feel more fulfilled and content?
Identify gaps such as things you may need to learn or do to get to where you want to go. Perhaps there’s a new skill you need to learn, maybe you need to get help from a coach, or professional in some area of your life, or you need to accomplish a project or task to achieve a specific outcome or result?
Creating Action Steps
It’s fun and inspiring to dream up transformations and paths to future growth. However, it’s also key to break down these big ideas into small, consistent action steps. Ideally, set action steps that you can commit to daily to keep moving forward toward these bigger-picture goals.
For example: If one of your desires is to make a career shift or switch and you need to gain new skills in order to be more marketable in your industry, the micro-action steps might begin with researching and selecting a course or class, then choosing the time on your calendar when you’ll participate, adding it to your resume upon completion, beginning your job search, and enrolling in any continuing education around it.
Big transformations begin with small, daily actions. Commit to something you can do every day to keep yourself moving forward towards your vision.
Planning for What’s Next
This is also a great season to evaluate and take stock of your existing time management practices, regular routines and obligations, and identify areas in which you need to create new habits, say no, or add in new opportunities (ie. learning, networking, etc.).
Looking at what’s on your plate (and removing what doesn’t need to be!) can help you to create space for tasks you’ll need to get where you want to go such as:
Networking
Applying for new jobs
Resume preparation
Interviewing
Building skills
Taking a class
Joining associations or professional groups
Exploring opportunities within your company
And more!
A Word on Networking
As of 2023, it still stands that 70-80% of jobs are found through networking whereas only about 20-30% of job seekers find positions through cold applications, online job boards, or company websites. Networking gives individuals a pass to the “hidden job market” where roles may not be publicly advertised, or it may afford a personal introduction to decision-makers, offering a significant advantage over those randomly applying.
Networking is the key to unlocking new opportunities! After taking time to reflect on where you want to go, make sure to include time to connect with who you need to meet to help get you there!
Schedule weekly networking time with people who can support you in your journey and build consistent, nurturing relationships with them.
Your network isn’t just about finding your next position or opportunities, it’s about connecting, learning, and growing along the way! And in my opinion, it’s one of the most powerful actions you can take.
Embrace the Momentum of Reflection
Often we spend the chillier months reflecting and contemplating and wait until Spring to take action. But what if this year, you committed to doing it differently and used the momentum of reflection to take meaningful strides toward your personal and professional life?
Let this time be one of focusing on what you want in life, and then going after it!
As a Career Coach, this is an area I excel at helping clients! I love reflecting, planning, and dreaming alongside you and then mapping out those small, daily actions to take to turn it into a reality. If you’d like support on your career journey, I’d love to connect with you!
