Finding Your Career Groove

As a drummer, I learned that it isn’t about how many chops you have but how well you can lock in on the groove.  You might have the fastest and most coordinated syncopation on the block but if you can’t hold the groove, it is time to break out the metronome and some Buddy Rich records.  The same thing holds true in our careers.  You might have the most brilliant mind, able to create ideas and concepts no one ever dreamed of, but if those flourishes of genius don’t fall in lock-step with the philosophy of the company for which the work is being done,  frustration can result and the relationship will end.

From an early age we are all corralled and pushed from school into the workforce before the beer bongs have had time to dry and there isn’t much time to consider what the hell we are doing with our lives.  Only when there is a spare moment to space out in a cubicle do we begin to ponder if there is something better that this…TO HAVE THAT THOUGHT SQUELCHED by another request from another drone from another honeycomb.

Many of us are currently out of work and have more time to ponder than we would probably like, but if used in a certain way, it can be the most productive time of your career.  You have been afforded the opportunity to assess where you have been and the direction you want to go.  Are you content on your current path or do you wish you had made a different decision all those years ago? I don’t need to tell you there aren’t too many major crossroads that give us the freedom to drastically change our game plan, especially as we grow older and become entrenched in the lives we create.  Being out of work can be your golden ticket to making the change you always wanted.  Let’s run down a few concerns you might have along with some questions to consider:

1.  I can’t afford to live on that salary – Why?  Are you willing to cut back?  Is your family supportive and willing to pitch in?  Is everyone’s happiness and success dependent on you earning more money?  Is that salary’s ceiling too low or is there potential for advancement?

2.  Requires advanced schooling – Can you take night courses?  Do you have a 529 for your child?  Why not use it for yourself?  Are you willing to work in the evenings to attend day classes?  Why not?  Is cost the issue?  Does your current employer offer tuition reimbursement?

3.  I’m too old to change professions – Too old?  What does that mean?  Is the work only able to be completed by a younger person?  Are you embarrassed to be the oldest entry-level candidate by 20 years?  Are you worried about benefits? Do you have any now? Can you apply to be on your spouse’s health plan? Do you lack the energy for hard work and late hours?  Is fear holding you back?

4.  That’s not how the world works – Tell us Copernicus…How does the world work?  There are no rules that state you must maintain the same job in the same industry until you retire.  In fact, according to Penelope Trunk, your value at a company starts to diminish after you have been with one company for five years. Are you afraid to break the status quo?  Why?  Is your fear strong enough to prevent you from leaving your comfort zone?  How can you change?

5.  That industry is unstable – Why invest your time in an industry that has the turnover of a fast food joint?  Why is stability that important to you?  Is it more important to be stable or gratified in your career?  What do you view as an industry with stability?  Are you willing to pay for stability by taking a reduction in your salary?

6.  My friends and family will think I am crazy – How many decisions in your life are governed by what other people think?  Will it ruin you if everyone thinks you are crazy?  What is your definition of success?  Does it involve pleasing others at your own expense?  How has that worked out for you in the past?

7.  I am not smart, pretty, astute, confident, outgoing, or talented enough – Do you believe everything that someone told you or you read in a magazine?  Give specific details as to why you are not good enough.  Can you fix those areas?  Are you willing to fix those areas?  Do you friends and family think you need to fix those areas?  Have you ever considered that everyone has weaknesses and those who appear successful are simply more adept at playing to their strengths?  Quit the whining and quests for pats on the head.  Fix legitimate issues while pursuing your chosen goal.

8.  I heard negative things about that industry – From whom?  Are they in that industry?  Do you know anyone else in that industry?  Have you talked with them?  What did they say?  Have you searched out an unbiased professional within that industry and asked their opinion?  Are you accustom to drawing important conclusions based on hearsay and rumor?  Has it crossed your mind that the person giving you advice isn’t well liked amongst their peers and their defense is to write-off the industry as bunk?

These are only questions that you can answer for yourself and there will be many more.  Don’t let yourself off easy. You must face the difficult decisions in an honest, compassionate way.  That is the only way to ensure you are making the best decision for you and everyone you care about.