The “T” list

I realized I had never finished this series (you may not have noticed but I enjoyed writing this). We last left off at "S" so continuing on…

Exploring the different kinds of mentors there are... We either do these things for others or we seek them for ourselves.

Continuing with "T":

tanglement-or:           Makes things more complicated just to see how you'll handle it
temperament-or:        Brings things back to how folks feel
testament-or:              Also an active sponsor as well as mentor
tournament-or:           Someone who urges you to get out there and try!
transshipment-or:       A great networker and knowledge transfer-er

Examining career choices

How do you know when it's time to re-examine career choices?

There is a lot of research that talks about a need for a catalyst to create change; we don't naturally seek it ourselves. This means that most of us wait until either we are dissatisfied with the current situation or a big event comes along that changes our perspective.

If that's the norm, why ask the question? There are two reasons why it's worth getting ahead of ourselves:

1. By the time we're dissatisfied or pushed to find an alternative, we're often feeling pressed for time or at a disadvantage. Either scenario doesn't allow for planning and reflection; it mostly calls for immediate action.
2. It should be the norm to reflect on our career, to ensure we're still engaged with our weekly tasks, to see if we are making progress against our definition of success. Otherwise, we're drifting with the current and not necessarily engaged in the moment.

Re-examining your choices doesn't mean the choices will be any different. Maybe it confirms them. Perhaps it allows for a tweak vs. an overhaul.

Choices should be active and periodically renewed. We renew our choices to stay in relationships, houses, activities, etc. and we should do the same with the items that take the most of our day - our careers & jobs.

It's always time to re-examine. It's not being unfaithful or uncertain; it's confirmation and assurance.

Which leads me to ask if resumes are up to date....

Who should I talk with next?

It's a simple action: after every encounter (beverage, meeting, hallway conversation), ask: Who should I talk with next?

I think the only time it might not apply is on a first date that is going well...

It works for job seeking, information gathering, network building, friend making, babysitter hunting, and customer service when they can't seem to figure out what you want.

It takes the onus off you to have to personally know or seek out everyone in the world and allows you to be passed along with a smile instead.

Folks don't always think to offer up the next contact but they're happy to share when asked.

It can be as wonderful as discovering a really great book is actually a series or a tv pilot has 12 more episodes.

Ask for the next connection. Be the hot potato!