Four Steps From Hated Job to Career Opportunity

We’ve all been there.  The job offer wasn’t all that great but there were bills to pay.  So, you took it and now dread heading to work almost every day.  Of course, you can keep looking for a better opportunity, but why not maximize the time spent in your paycheck prison?  Here are  some tips on changing the drudgery to a purposeful payoff.

Your Dream Career

As the saying goes, you can’t move toward your destination if you don’t know what it is.  Take some quiet time to really gather your thoughts about what your ideal career destination is.  Once you have it clearly in mind, imagine what that future you is like.   What are some of the talents you’ll possess?  Who will that future you be?   Jot down what vividly stands out.

Back to Reality

Yes, now back to reality, one step at a time.  Those attributes you noted?  How did you develop them? Education?  Practical experience?  Maybe that future you is a great speaker, and gives dynamic presentations to rounds of applause.   While you can’t do that today, you’ve  got the beginnings of the map to get there.  You know where you want to be.   And you know where you are.  Let the journey begin!

Creating Opportunity

Now that you have a destination, even in the worst of conditions you can start your journey.  To be that future admired speaker, start by creatively looking for opportunities to move forward.   For example, perhaps there’s a new employee that needs training.  Volunteer to do it.  Or maybe the training manual needs an update, or doesn’t even exist.  Create it.  In many cases, these will be unpaid exercises, but just remember that you’re doing these as much for you as you are for the place you can’t wait to get out of.

Be Ready to Stretch

Keep your eyes and ears open for what might be called “super opportunities.”  These are things that need to be done,  no one is assigned, and may be well beyond your normal comfort zone.   Half of finishing a marathon is making the commitment to start.  So, take a deep breath, and step up, knowing it’s just another step towards that future you that’s waiting to greet you when you arrive.

Keep a Record

It’s normal for all of us to forget all the things we’ve done that make us proud and give us confidence.  So, keep track of your accomplishments, especially the ones that you initiated.  It’s part of YOUR story.  Then,  at that job interview for the position you’re dying to land, you’ll be able to talk about what sets you apart from the rest.  In fact, your accomplishments will speak for themselves.

Start looking at that 9 to 5 drag you’re in as just a place to begin the work of creating the you that you want to become.  By  taking the initiative and creating the opportunity, you’re opening the path to the future you want, and every step outside your comfort zone is a step towards your goal.

 

Cover Photo by Yasser Alghofily  Dreams and Wishes by Nicole Pierce Training pic by DG EMPL