MIND newsletter: The beginning and the end
As this will be the last newsletter of the year 2022, I want to thank you all for being here for me, for sending me your reflection and encouraging messages. It means the world to me knowing that someone out there resonates with these words, that the letters somehow make their Saturdays a bit calmer.
I still have so much to improve, both in my thoughts and actions, both in life and in my career development practice. But with your support, I have enough courage to embrace my flaws. Thank you for accepting my not-so-perfect self-version and for helping me to accept it.
Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!
1. M (Challenge your mindset)
With New Year just around the corner, it’s natural that we carry out some rituals to end this year nicely. Endings never make me feel comfortable but contemplating a potential new beginning helps.
As my friend was saying hello to a little cutie – a newborn family member, I was saying goodbye to my teacher – he always welcomed me to his class with a big smile.
As someone was excited to start a new chapter in their career, another was struggling to wrap up their old one.
Endings can be scary, but don’t we all know that once we choose to start, we also sign a contract for an unavoidable end? When we decide to love someone, we agree to take a big risk that one day, voluntarily or not, we will part ways. When we decide to start a new job, no matter how passionate we are, we know that nothing can be set for life.
Endings can be scary, as they usually come abruptly. Or we let them be.
I would like to end this year with what got me started my special journey at the beginning of the year.
Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new end.
2. I (I’m my own coach)
If there’s one thing that I constantly repeat to my clients, it’s to do your career checkup like you do your health checkup – at least once a year.
Below are some steps for you (and me) to do the checkup before New Year sneaks in:
- Step 1:
What were some “good times” at work this year – when do you feel like you are in a “zone”?
What were some “bad times”?
- Step 2:
List things that you like in those good times and things you don’t like in those bad times.
- Step 3:
Don’t focus on what you don’t like, turn that into the list of “So, what do you want instead?”
- Step 4:
“I want…because….but…”
What are some values and reasons behind what you want? And what are your obstacles?
- Step 5:
Review your wanted list again and divide it into “must have” vs “nice to have”
- Step 6:
Focus on the must-have, with the “but”, try to brainstorm solutions: do you have a way to overcome those challenges? Once you have a list of solutions, choose:
– Stay as is (current job)
– Stay with the current job but look to change roles or conditions
– Change jobs (similar job with a new employer)
– Change careers (a transition to a new industry perhaps)
- Step 7:
Depending on what you chose, list actions:
Talk to your boss, HR if you would like to explore more opportunities
Talk to people in your new targeted jobs or industries
Talk to pro support (coach, counselor, advisor, mentor)
Learn new skills…
- Step 8:
Reverse goal setting: What you would like to see in 5 years, in 1 year, in 3 months, 1 month from now. By doing that you know what to prioritize at this moment.
3. N (The power of Now)
What did you choose to prioritize next year?
4. D (Do)
What is one thing you will do differently in the new year?
