Creating a career vision
We're all guilty of drifting in our lives at one time or another. Waiting for opportunities to fall in our lap. Where else do we wait for things to happen for us? We don't wait for the TV to turn over to something we like. We don't wait for a partner to appear in our lives. We go click the remote, go to the bar or sign up for dating sites. Why should our careers be any different?
Having a clear vision of what we are trying to achieve before we take action is key to accomplishing any goals that we set. Do we have a clear mental image of who we will be in the future?
Our vision is a “picture” of what we aspire to be and defining our vision for our career is the first step in helping us eventually reach our career goals.
Examples of career visions
I will become a well-respected product manager in the software industry, defining ways in which to deliver better value to product users and improving the way that organizations approach product management.
I will become a well-known and respected leader in the food industry, revitalizing the ways food is produced and marketed to make healthier products to help people live better lives.
To become the manager of a restaurant, providing excellent food and service to my customers while respecting and managing a top-notch staff.
How do you think of a career vision?
It doesn't take long to come up with a career vision, but it does take specific thought and action, and you can follow this three-step process:
1) Find some time to think about your vision.
2) Ask yourself some of these questions:
How do you define career success?
What would your career be like if you had the power to make it any way you wanted?
Who are the people you most admire and what is it about them or their careers that attract you to them?
What would you want to do today if all your bills were paid and you had relatively unlimited cash reserves?
What's the one activity you most love?
When you meet someone new in 5 years’ time, how would you like to describe your career?
3) Bring it all together into one coherent statement.
What do you do with your career vision?
By setting a clearly defined vision, it becomes apparent which direction you are looking to travel in, which in turn enables you to measure your progress toward this goal.
This regular opportunity to review progress allows you to continuously motivate yourself to progress toward the vision you have for your ideal work life.
You will be able to see forward movement and if you don't see forward movement, then you are able to adjust actions in order to achieve this progress.
By setting and taking action toward your goals, you will raise your self-confidence.