March Career Checklist- 10 things you can do this month

Ok summer is over, the holidays are either way behind or way ahead of you and you are well into your new year’s resolutions….

So how’s that going for you?

Let’s make March the month we do stuff… and a few tips to get you started.

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1.    Commit
Commit to do one thing that will advance your career change, small or large, but commit. Set a start date, articulate the objectives allocate time and just do it.

2.    Get Unstuck On Goals
Start by defining the problem clearly, as this will help to make the situation feel more manageable. Then read the 4 part series on goal setting, starting with ‘Goal Setting- are you over it?’  www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/goal-settingare-you-over-it-part-1

3.    Turn Your ideas Into A Side Project
The aim of side projects is to discover if that idea, role, job or career you think you'll love, can work in reality. Think of this as a low-risk strategy so you can explore without the fear of failure.
For more go to www.careerredesign.com.au/side-projects.html

4.    Get Out Of That Comfort Zone
By now we are convinced that we need to get out and talk to people in person. Making connections is not about getting a job, (although it can be). It’s about extending your range and creating new possibilities, learning about new roles and other fields and identifying key people of influence.
For more advice go to  www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/find-your-tribe and www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/10-must-have-networking-tips

5.    Spend Time On Yourself
Your career sweet spot is the intersection where your passions and values are rewarded. It’s also the place where you’re in an environment that suits your personality. So it makes sense you may need to reconsider what makes up this intersection.
For some activities to help find this spot go to www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/how-to-figure-out-your-career-sweet-spot. Or sign up for free resources at www.careerredesign.com.au/free-resources.html

6.    Face The Fear
Overcome the fear of career transition and the associated risks by acknowledging them.  So turn the bad fear into good fear and make decisions that you can live with.  What’s the difference between good fear, less bad fear, and bad fear? Not much other than what you do with it. If you wallow in the bad fear, it will destroy your self-confidence and worth.
For more go to www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/overcoming-the-fear-of-a-career-transition

7.    Check If You Have An Avoidance Plan
‘YES BUT’ thinking is the greatest challenge that will block any career change. It’s a great way to avoid confronting an issue and an even better way of avoiding change. So check what’s going on with your thinking, as recognising the obstacles we place in the way is the first step to overcoming them.
For more on mindsets go to www.iamwomanmagazine.com.au/is-your-career-change-suffering-from-an-avoidance-plan

8.    Determine How’ll You’ll Spend Your Saturday Mornings
If you think of these ventures as side or pet projects either within or external to your professional activities, you may find they take on a life of their own, so make time for your side projects and start to capitalise on new possibilities.
For more tips go to
www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/how-do-you-spend-your-saturday-morningswhat-about-a-side-project

9. What’s Your Unique Offering?
Personal self-branding enables you to promote your strengths and skills in a crowded market. Branding is not just for corporations or products, made up of a logo and a tag line.  It’s more than about creating an image – it’s about providing that unique value proposition. Create a personal profile with this activity at www.careerredesign.com.au/blog/so-whats-the-unique-value-that-youre-offering

10.    And Finally ....Stop Beating Yourself Up
Think about what you are achieving, what roles you don’t want to continue in,  as a means to working out what you do want. Identify what is making you feel good about your work, how you have helped others and what your learning.