Lost in Transition? – In Today’s World Everyone Needs a Road Map!
For the past few years, I have found myself meeting more and more people, from all walks of life that are in some type of transition. The dictionary defines the word transition as movement, a change from one position to another or conversion, which can mean a change of attitude, emotion, or viewpoint.
If we take the dictionary translation of transition as our starting point, where do we go in order to find our way? It appears that we all need a roadmap to find that next career opportunity, a new customer or client or to simply shift our attitude to reflect the change in our situation.
After years of networking I’ve discovered that I’ve been using a roadmap almost continually as I move from one opportunity to another. While I’ve often been in transition, my attitude has been one of confidence. I know that I will find a new direction that will keep my self esteem in tact, provide me with an income, and offer a challenge to learn something new.
It appears that my life has been a series of cycles when it came to my career path. I seem to follow the same strategic plan each time. Upon reflection, when I did my analysis I recognized that the process I used was simple and easy to replicate – it truly was a roadmap to success.
Lost in transition? Just use my roadmap and watch you attitude and your self esteem sky rocket!
The first thing you do is to evaluate your network. Who do you know? How current is your database? What have you been doing to keep in touch with friends, colleagues and business acquaintances? If your findings tell you that you have been neglecting that network, it’s time to do your homework!
If you are not on LinkedIn – you need to be! Get your resume updated and system friendly. If you don’t know what that means, I’ll introduce you to someone who can review your resume and show you how to update it. Make sure you have a professional picture that can be included on your LinkedIn site.
Set yourself up with a Blog – WordPress is free and offered through LinkedIn. It’s a great way to promote who you are and what you care about. If you don’t know how to maximize the Blog – we have contacts we can refer you to that will show you how simple it is to set up and maintain. You will be able to measure your results once you learn how to use social media effectively.
Once you’ve got some visibility through the Internet, then it’s time to network face to face. Where should you go? What type of event is best for you? To determine your direction – use Google alerts – subscribe and use key words that cover your area of interest. Check out all of the relevant organizations and associations. While it’s good to network with others who are in the same position as you – it really doesn’t get you where you want to go. Find networks where you will be the only “expert” in your field. For me, I volunteered with the local symphony, it was a network I’d never had in the past. I became a foster mom for Dog Guides of Canada. I met people who were in banking, law, accounting, real estate and once we all got to know each other, I got referrals from all of them. Why? Because people like to find some type of common ground before they refer, and when you have music or animals in common – the referral just happens.
If your transition is looking for a new career – think outside the box – how about considering franchising? Or the government program called 2nd Career? There are many ways to take transition to the next step while being able to measure your results.
This roadmap encourages you to take side trips, to investigate your options. Be prepared to volunteer, to share resources and to tap into your network.
Build rapport with everyone you meet. Find common ground, and whenever possible find someone or something you can share with each person. There is almost always a desire to give back and often that is a referral, a contact or a resource that can help you get closer to your destination.
Exchange relevant and timely information each time you meet with someone. Let them talk, you listen! Listening is one of the best ways I know to really maximize those meetings. You will find that your colleague thinks you are a brilliant conversationalist! The outcome will almost always be profitable for both sides. Change your mindset from “me” to “we” – this has a measurable impact on getting to your destination.
Evaluate your network:
Family
Look at each family member as a well-rounded individual with skills and identifiable backgrounds. You can tap into their knowledge and their networks.
Friends
Your friends have skills you may not be aware of. Ask. They have their own networks. Ask to be introduced
Neighbours
Your physical proximity gives you a unique chance to develop closer ties. Find out who your neighbors are. You know you already have one thing in common – your choice of residence
Professional in your field
You may not work directly with them, but you share the same career choice. You can advise and support each other over common issues.
Suppliers
You do business with them anyway. Find out more about them. They might need your services.
Clients
You serve them and you have built up a relationship of trust. Ask them to serve you by providing introductions and referrals.
Co-workers
You likely spend more waking hours with these people than you do with you family or friends. How well to you really know them? Find out more. You may be able to help each other.
Clubs or Association Members
If you are involved with any community or professional associations or activities, you have a ready-made network. Most people join these groups to meet others. The door is already open.
Volunteer Groups
One of the most prevalent reasons people volunteer is to meet others and to feel a part of something. Get to know your fellow volunteers better
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