In working with CEO’s and Executive Leaders, a question that often comes up is “What’s Next?”
Transition and new chapters can kind of creep up on you “we know the kids will be gone in 2 years” or they can fall from the sky without warning, “We’re right-sizing and your job has been eliminated”
So how to navigate the Tsunamis of Business and Life?
Here are 5 tips from my audio book published by Career Track/Park University, Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life that may help :
- Awareness: What are 5 things you want to be, have and do in the next 1 – 5 years? You will need a total of 15 index cards (5 for each of these 3 questions) for this reflection. My husband and I have a state of the marriage retreat each year where we complete this 5, 5 and 5 card sort separately and then over a glass of wine, share our common goals and differences. Note: There is no way he will be attending every creativity retreat and for sure I won’t be playing bridge, but we are aware of our own and each other’s aspirations. Be aware of your own dreams and aspirations and those most important to you.
- Adaptability: Curb your enthusiasm! Transitions are about change and that includes comfort with the ambiguity of not knowing. Caution for planners and over- achieving leaders: Use the power of the pause. How often have you made a choice because something came up verses planning and waiting for the right opportunity?
- Skill: The Power of Creative Problem Solving What I love about CPS (Creative Problem Solving) is the separation of divergent and convergent thinking. Before settling in on a specific job, career or life choice begin by asking yourself an expansive question: “In what ways might I… (filling in your aspirations). Here’s an example: “In what ways might I make the most, work the least and spend maximum time with my family?” The only rule in divergent thinking is that rule of initially deferring judgement on any idea as you seek to generate the longest list possible including wild ideas! Don’t worry: Step 2 convergent thinking allows time for review and ranking of those expansive ideas, based on criteria that you define that will help you make those right business and life choices.
- Conservation of Energy: Consider A “Year of NO” A top executive known for doing it all told me their greatest breakthrough was designating a “Year of No” so they could focus on what was most important. Getting to that next chapter may mean eliminating activities which are creating noise and obstacles to your personal pivot point. If you are selling your business or retiring, consider a hiatus where every day you have leisure time to really think about that next chapter. If you don’t have that luxury, consider eliminating those activities that fall outside of your big picture.
- Positive Mental Attitude: Change is Hard: Embrace the head and heart of being an explorer not an expert . You are free to be a student of life again and write your next chapter.
Rosemary Rein is the Author of “Go Wild Survival Skills for Business and Life” and a Keynote Speaker/Author based in Silicon Valley, California rosemary rein .
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