MODERN CAREERS
Step 1 – Examine the
present: Find a quiet location and
somewhere that is relaxing. Write
down all the current skills and
knowledge you have. These skills
should be both technical, functional
and behavioural.
Step 2 - Imagine your dream
job: Think about what you really
want to do? What would it be? What
would it involve? What would it
take to get there? Don’t limit your
thoughts or ideas. Be bold.
Step 3 – Identify the skills:
Consider what new skills you would
need to land your dream job. Once
again, these should cover technical,
functional and behavioural skills.
You may find it useful to talk with
someone who works in this field or
do some research to discover what
those skills may be.
Step 4 – Know the gap: Look at
the gap between the skills you have
and the skills you need to land that
job. For each skill rate yourself on a
scale of 1 – 4:
1. No current skill or knowledge
2. Some skill or knowledge, but not
proficient
3. Competent at this skill and have
knowledge
4. Expert with a high degree of skill
and knowledge
Step 5 – Get creative: Think
about what activities and courses
you could undertake to close the
gap, and what activities you would
prioritise. This may include: books
to read, courses to enrol in, journals
to subscribe to, new people to meet
and new practices to perfect.
Make sure you stretch yourself and
have a balance of activities that will
be challenging and fun. Consider
having a mixture of activities that
are cerebral, physical and spiritual
– i.e. good for the mind, body and
soul.
Don’t be afraid to be adventurous.
As we get older we become more
reluctant to try new things and do
things differently. We all have an
inner voice. It voices our fear of
failure, of being judged or being
held up to ridicule.
measurements so you can monitor
progress and know when you’ve
closed a skill or knowledge gap.
Step 7 – Get busy doing: The
last step is to put your plan into
action, and check progress. Also,
don’t forget to reward yourself.
Celebrate your learning and the
progress you’ve made.
Learning to love learning is a life
skill, and it’s even better when you
are learning with purpose.
To grow and thrive through change
it’s essential to harness the power
of that inner voice. It’s telling you
that you are taking yourself outside
your comfort zone – this is healthy!
Embrace the feeling, and don’t let
it hold you back. Each time you
learn or try something new you are
challenging your brain. It’s like
taking your brain to the gym – and
that’s good for you.
Step 6 – Build your plan: Take
the ideas from Step 5 and create
a personal development plan that
maps out your learning goals, what
you will do and by when. Having
dates is critical – as you need to
hold yourself to account.
Michelle Gibbings is a change and
leadership expert and founder of
Change Meridian. Michelle works
with leaders and teams to help them
accelerate progress. She is the Author
of ‘Step Up: How to Build Your Influence
at Work’. For more information: www.
michellegibbings.com or contact
[email protected].
Make sure the plan includes clear
May 2016
ModernBusiness
57