Follow Your Career Blisters
I don’t know about you, but blisters sound painful. If you ever tried walking in brand-new shoes without breaking into them, you know what I mean.
I recently read a Harvard Business Review Article What You Should Follow Instead Of Your Passions by Dan Cable. He proposes that we shouldn’t just follow our passions but instead ‘follow your blisters’. By that, he means something you return to so many times that you eventually move past the blister stage into toughened skin.
Career Blisters
I believe this works perfectly with career-related activities, too. Instead of leaving your career goals as an afterthought, working on them regularly is essential so you move away from the ‘I have to do it’ stage. The results will then start speaking for themselves.
As an executive coach, I see many people avoiding what they could be doing that could propel them to a different level. Here’s what I regard as Career Blisters
Career Blisters
- Online Presence
- Regular Upskilling
- Networking
- Keeping CV/Resume Updated
- Online Presence
“I’m not ready and want to spend more time working on my online message”. This is what I hear. It’s not because they’re not capable. It’s because of fear or fear of the judgements of others.
Guess what happens when they put their first LinkedIn post? I’ll get a message to say they’ve done it. What happens after that? Some take it in their stride, others fall to the wayside, and some pop up online occasionally.
Those who manage their online presence start attracting the right attention and audience. Over time, they position themselves for the right opportunities and reap the rewards.
2. Upskilling
As an Executive Coach, upskilling goes with my territory, but I appreciate it might not for others. However, the old formula of getting excellent grades at good schools and attending a top university has been turned on. It’s no wonder that many feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate these uncertain times.
I see so many talented and competent people struggling to manage their careers. Why? They’re feeling the heat under the collar because the only constant in
today’s fast-paced world of work is change and uncertainty. The fear associated with uncertainty is holding many back because they’re still using the old formula to excel. It doesn’t work anymore.
You don’t need to sit in a class or read endless books to get started. With technology at your fingertips, you benefit from learning online and offline and for free. All you need is the motivation to do it.
By all means, learn from others, but don’t wait for anyone to motivate you. Don’t wait for others to show you the following steps, either. Instead, find something you enjoy doing, roll up your sleeves and get busy creating your plan.
3. Networking
Do you dread networking? I know many who do. Why? They’re going to dull and dreary events, forcing them to speak to a few people and then come away with a bunch of business cards. They’ll collect dust if you do nothing with those business cards.
Networking is one of these activities that many want to do, but it ends up being on the sidelines for maybe tomorrow. I hear a lot, ‘I know I should, but…..’
Networking becomes fun if you do it regularly versus ‘doing two hours networking’ one afternoon.
Instead, tear the rule book up, start building relationships online, and continue developing offline relationships. Building and maintaining relationships is an essential skill that AI cannot replace. How? Humans can empathise, understand nuances, and build connections that AI cannot replicate.
4. CVResume
No one wants to see a tired old document that gets ‘dusted down’ at the appointed time. Yet, many people don’t look at their CV/Resume until they’re ready to job hunt again. It could be a while, and guess what? The market has changed, and if your document doesn’t reflect what the market wants, you’ll jeopardise your chances even before making an impression in the first round.
As you’re upskilling, it pays to update your documents in tandem. Why? You know as well as I do that life takes place between intention and execution.
Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and you forget or delay further. Don’t. Why? In today’s transparent world, it pays to be ready because you don’t know when and where your next opportunity could come from.
Plus, doing the ‘career housekeeping’ makes sense, so when it’s time to showcase your effort, you’ll focus on what matters.
My Upskilling Story
Who says learning is boring? Photography was a new hobby that improved my attention to detail capabilities. I’m no photographer, and I don’t have any expensive equipment. I only have my mobile phone. I don’t specifically set aside time for my hobby; I do this as I go about my everyday activities.
I uploaded photos about London on Instagram about four years ago. I chose London because I’m a born and bred hardcore Londoner who wanted to capture London through my eyes. I did it for fun and learned as I went along.
Building Momentum
I started getting followers from around the world interested in my photos. I am faceless on the Platform, so I don’t feel the pressure of being ‘visible’, which can stop many people from wanting to be online.
Initially, I didn’t have a strategy or plan and neither did I wait for the ‘perfect picture’. Even to this day, I don’t overthink in advance. I take pictures of what I want, NOT what my audience wants to see. Why? I want to showcase London as a Londoner and not second guess my audience.
I still haven’t commercialised my website or my IG page. Maybe one day I will, but in the meantime, I continue having fun.
I also believe writing a blog each week was the foundation for writing articles on Medium. Instead of thinking about it for ages, it was a Swift decision to join and write on Medium. Now, I’m learning as I read other people’s posts; I design my infographics and experiment with new themes. It’s a win/win for me.
Parting Comments
If you avoid wearing the new shoes because they cause pain, you’ll miss out on matching them well to an appropriate outfit or event. Instead, you’ll break into them nicely if you ‘plaster up’ and get going. Over time, who knows, they might become your favourite pair of shoes.
I used shoes as an analogy for my article because the same mindset can be applied to careers, too. If you avoid things that cause discomfort or stress, you might miss out on invaluable experiences that could serve you better as you advance in your career.
Thank you for your attention.
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Pervin
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