Career mentoring
Career mentoring
With a career so far spanning 30 years, I'm pleased to say, I think I've made some really sound career decisions, but also a few daft ones. In hindsight, I can understand the wrong moves. Hey, we're all human!
Our career is a personal journey and how we play the gameplan is usually all down to one person, us. Yet there are so many variables at play, it can be difficult to see the big picture.
Even if settled in a job, we all have a boss - how best can we develop and enhance that connection? Relationship management is important, not just with the boss, but colleagues and those we may manage.
And there are always organisational dynamics, the politics with a small 'p'. Many organisations can have dysfunctional characteristics and we need to weave our way through the fog.
When is the right time to make the jump into a new role, in our organisation or elsewhere, and what about the application process, interview, hopefully selection, and then starting with a whole new environment with its rules, procedures, policies and process... and people.
We are our own brand - we need to promote and market ourselves, otherwise we can get forgotten, ignored and under-appreciated.
If we stagnate in our roles, we get bored and flounder in the whirlpool of going nowhere. Yet if we take on too much, we may overload, stress and burnout.
And what about work-life balance? At different stages of our life-cycle, we need to prioritise different goals and ambitions - again, it's being able to see the big picture and create that healthy balance.
I had a mentor myself once and this proved absolutely crucial when I needed to work through a series of tough managerial decisions.
As editor of the 'Counselling pathways: developing your career', I reflected on my own journey, with spells in the workplace, higher education, the NHS, in private practice and so on.
As a therapist, I have helped people find and make the right decisions in their career through many different sectors and types of organisations, not just the helping professions.
If you would like a professional sounding-board and a career-guiding hand, I'd love to hear from you... and let's see how we can build on the best of you.
Consultations are usually online but can also be in person in Aberdeenshire. Or for a more immersive experience, why not book time in our local self-catering cottage and, among daily consultations, take a break and enjoy everything this wonderful area offers! www.acornbothy.co.uk
