Thursday, August 26, 2010

10 Questions to Set Your Career Vision

Or, How to Really Get What You Want From Work
by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs



Do you have a vision for your career?

While some people may get lucky and just happen to wind up on the road to success, others do not, and their lack of planning leads to a dead-end job. Read on to discover how you can choose what your career -- and your life -- can become.

Deciding what you want to do doesn't happen overnight, but, according to Deborah Brown-Volkman, the process can be simple. She says, "All of life's journeys begin with the phrase, 'I want... .' It's a very powerful phrase, and without it, it's hard to go very far."


The Road to Achievement

Brown-Volkman, author of "Coach Yourself to a New Career," believes you can discover what you want through visualization. "Visualize where you see yourself in the future. It can reflect where you want to be tomorrow, next week, next year -- or beyond that."

And, as many successful folks will tell you, if you can see it, you can be it. She confirms, "All goals are reached in the mind first. Being able to envision yourself achieving a goal will compel you to move forward and persevere during times of doubt. It gives you a reason to get out of bed every day!"

Getting Started

Are you ready to begin building a vision for your desired professional destination? Brown-Volkman recommends closing your eyes, letting your imagination run free, and asking yourself the following 10 questions.

    * If anything were possible, what would I want to be different in my career?
    * What type of job would I want?
    * What would I want to be responsible for?
    * What type of boss/co-workers/team would I want?
    * What kind of hours would I want to work?
    * What type of company would I want work for?
    * What sort of culture would I want the company to have?
    * What city would I want to live in?
    * What salary would I want to earn?
    * What would I want my approach to stress, my workload, and deadlines to be?

As you mull these questions over in your mind, Brown-Volkman reminds professionals, "There are no right or wrong answers. It's only what is true for you -- not what someone else wants for you. Listen to yourself and your heart."

Next Steps

Once you've created your vision, start exploring new positions that would offer some, if not all, aspects of it. You may have to switch industries or change careers, but you'll lead a more fulfilling professional life and be more likely to arrive at a destination of your choosing.


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