When you're looking at a new direction in your career - whether a wholesale change or a refinement of your current direction - it helps to have a good solid understanding of what makes you tick. Helping people understand "who they are" so they can make decisions that align with that is a big part of what I do in my coaching work.
Usually that involves a lot of introspection and self-exploration, but sometimes it can help to look outwards. This article suggests getting a better understanding of who you are by getting a cumulative picture of how others see you by interviewing multiple people who know you well - family, friends, co-workers, etc.
To set up the interviews, create a short questionnaire (six to eight questions) with questions like:
* What are three things I don’t do so well?
* Based on what you know about me, what job or experience have I liked the best in the past?
* Based on what you know about me, what job or experience have I liked the least?
* What are three things you can imagine me doing?
* What’s something you can’t really imagine me doing?
* How do I get in my own way?
The beauty of this approach is that for many people, self-exploration doesn't come naturally. It's not that they don't have the ability. It's just not something that gets taught, encouraged, and reinforced in our culture.
Asking others what they see is a great way to get a jumpstart on insights about oneself. A caveat though that the final say of whether any given piece of feedback really applies lies with you. Gather the information and then run it through a you-filter. "Is this really me? Does this really resonate?"
The more you know about yourself, the easier it is to consciously make choices that will lead you to an energizing, fulfilling life.
Whee-ha!
[Hat tip to RezBlog for the article link]
--
Time for a career change? Launch it with...
The Occupational Adventure Guide:
A Travel Guide to the Career of Your Dreams
--
by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst
Comments