Now What?® Coaching

from Laura Berman Fortgang

Now What

Now What? Q &A: Transition, how long?

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Today’s question is one we’re often asked and is answered by: Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor.

Question:

How long does it usually take for someone to transition to a new career?

Answer:

Once you have identified the new direction in which you’d like to take your career, the transition may take anywhere from six months to a few years, depending on your specific situation and how big of a change you’re making.  The typical experience is probably in the 6-24 month range.  If you’re the type of person who takes a long-term view and is, for example, planning to retire from one career and begin another, then you might create a 3-5 year plan.  More often, though, once you’ve identified your new direction, momentum will build on its own and change may very well happen sooner than expected.  So, the answer is that it’s shorter for some and longer for others.  Some people take more gradual steps and others take big leaps.  Often, an interim move may be the bridge.  One thing is for certain:  Once you commit to a new direction, create a plan, and start taking consistent action, change happens.

Now What? Q &A: From research mode to decision made

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Today we’re introducing a new category to the blog: Now What? Q &A,  where we’ll answer questions we are often asked by our clients and readers.  We’d love to hear from you so please do send us your questions.  Chances are if you have the question, then so do a whole lot of other people.  Today’s question comes from a woman who is working the Now What? Coaching Program with Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor.

Question:

How do you know when you’ve moved from “research mode” to “decision made”?

Answer:

This question comes up often.  When you’re exploring various directions to pursue, how do you know when it’s time to say, “Okay, I’ve done enough research and my decision is made”?    

When you’re in research mode, it’s important to stay open and resist rushing to judgment.  The information you’re taking in will need to be sifted through and examined.  Does the opportunity you’re considering line up with your Life Blueprint (Who You Are) as well as your Criteria for Happiness (Your Needs and Values)?   Timing can be unpredictable and only you will know if you’re ready to declare the research “done”.  At some point however, it will be time to make a decision.  Gathering more and more data doesn’t culminate in some sort of guarantee that your new venture will be successful.  You just need to know enough to feel right about pursuing your new direction.  

Here is how Roberta, the person who submitted this question, ultimately answered it for herself:  When all the clues and your intuition lead you to a conclusion, then you have to trust yourself and move to a decision.  It’s a huge risk but it feels right.  I found that it took a lot of courage to go from “I’m figuring it out” to “I’ve decided” —there is something final about saying it out loud— but once I realized that I had in fact decided, I did a little dance. 

A LITMUS TEST FOR DECISIONS (HOW DO I KNOW THIS IS IT?!)

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by Laura Berman Fortgang

One of the ironies of our experience with the Now What?® program is that when people get the answer to what is next for them, they freak out and can’t believe they found it so easily and quickly. From the pain of ‘not knowing’ to the freedom of clarity, but people want certainty!  Is there really such a thing?  Ultimately, no, but there are indicators that help solidify people’s decisions about what’s next.

If you have a big decision to make, whether it be about career and life direction or another matter of great importance, there is a litmus test.

It is not 100% foolproof nor does it guarantee a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but it does break the decision down to something more significant than the common pros and cons list.

That litmus test is taking stock of your ‘needs’ and ‘values’ and seeing how they measure up to the opportunity you are weighing.  Your needs are those emotional requirements that have to be present in your life to be happy.  It may be hard to admit that you have a need for recognition but believe me, if you work somewhere where you will not get credit for your accomplishments, you will be unhappy and frustrated.  You must have that need met.  Consider those parts of your personality that you wish were less needy—those are the ones we are talking about here.  Your pending decision will work out better if most of your needs can be met in the new scenario.

Your values, on the other hand, are not about those dark, needy places but they are about the ideals you hold dear.  If you value adventure and variety, it will be tough for you to be in a job that could look the same for the next five years.  Or if you value integrity above all else, you want to be involved with people and dealings you feel value the same. 

Make a list of your needs. Make a list of your values. Put your decision to the test with these two criteria.  You will easily see if you are on the right track or not.  Trust your gut and get out of your head which wants to use logic to seduce you. 

You can be reasonably sure that this litmus test won’t steer you wrong.  And yes, it can be that easy and it can be that quick.  No need for drama.

Just bend toward the light and choose what will help you grow.

Based on Chapter Seven of “Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction” (Tarcher-Penguin) Available on Amazon

Career Transition: A Chance to Evolve Your Life Story

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Some helpful thoughts here that may broaden your perspective on career change.  In the Now What? career transition coaching process, examining your life story is often a pinnacle moment because it helps you connect the dots in a new way.  Patterns and possibilities emerge that can only be detected in the context of your whole story.  Once understood, the next chapter often writes itself.

“Career Transitions & Finding a New Work Identity.”

Special thanks to Britta Stromeyer Esmail, the author of today’s article.

Your Work Identity

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Here Mary Lou Quinlan discusses how to “break out of stale roles” and choose your work identity consciously.   She also offers some specific examples of women who did this successfully.  We agree with this approach and think that identifying your Who is an essential part of career transition coaching.  In the Now What?® process, we look at Who You Are to Others, both in the professional realm as well as your personal life, and pose the question: Who do you want to be?

“Who Are You at Work? Finding Your Identity.” Mary Lou Quinlan