New Year, New Career: 7 Steps to Making a Move in 2024 Without Spending a Penny
Happy New Year, dear readers. Cheers to new starts in 2024.
My New Year typically starts off as a sputter — by choice — rather than a sprint. Some people come out of the gate swinging on the 1st with resolutions galore and big commitments to transformation, whilst others choose a more measured approach. I prefer the latter because it reduces the pressure of trying to meet some ridiculous target I set for myself. After all, we have over 350 days ahead of us — why run out of steam in January?
In my coaching practice, I’ve spoken to a number of women who want to make a career move this year and are looking for small steps they can take without investing oodles of time or money in the process. Many women don’t have the luxury to quit their job, or invest in coaches or courses in pursuit of a fulfilling career…especially if they’re still exploring what they want to do next! My suggestion is to approach the process with seven simple steps: all of which will help you make moves without breaking the bank.
1. Clock It and Block It
The first and most effective way to start planning out your next move is by making a consistent appointment with yourself to take action, rather than pushing it down your to-do list. Anyone who has ever been successful in achieving a milestone has had to make time for it; in other words, you have to prioritize Y-O-U. I hear you protesting: But I don’t have time! Start small — rather than trying to carve out hours, start with 25 minutes twice a week. That includes a 5-minute buffer time, so 20 minutes to brainstorm and start putting pen to paper about making a change. (The cost to you is only 50 less minutes per week for doomscrolling or hitting the snooze button.)
Write me a note to let me know which days you picked and how it’s going.
2. Work Your Woohoo
Getting into a positive mindset is highly beneficial and, quite frankly, the only way to even start considering what you want for your career. Work your woohoo! by asking yourself these questions:
What skills do I enjoy using, and in what types of environments do I thrive? What skills do I miss using?
What tasks do I keep returning to, even though they are hard?
What tasks did I love to do as a child?
What do I keep getting told I do well?
Take it a step further and ask five people to give you their perspective about that final question. Note their observations and what you can learn about yourself when you are at your best.
3. Ignite Your Ikigai
Next, use your 25-minute block to start exploring your ikigai. In Japanese culture, ikigai means ‘a reason for being’ — bringing satisfaction and meaning to life. Incorporate what you learned from your exploration above and reflect on the following questions:
What do you love? (Your interest): cooking, traveling, volunteering, making videos, crunching numbers, nutrition, etc.
What does the world need? (Your mission): social justice, philanthropy, wisdom for life, relatability, the truth, tolerance and acceptance, unity, etc.
What are you good at? (Your vocation): public speaking, accounting, project design, writing, listening, etc.
What are you paid for? (Your profession): coaching, project management, teaching, accounting, etc.
Observe what comes up in this joy-filled activity and how that informs areas where you might want to continue exploring.
4. Put Pen to Paper
Nothing says ‘milestones’ like creating a written record of your journey and tracking your progress. Studies confirm that writing things down helps with clarity and focus; journaling your thoughts, goals, and achievements can help clarify your vision. (If writing isn’t your thing, drawing works too.) I wrote another blog about identifying your vision, which might generate some tangible inspiration. Remember to celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and use setbacks as learning opportunities. This written record will serve as a testament to your journey and growth – in 2024 and beyond.
Now that you hopefully have some ideas brewing, the next step is to find some resources to help provide additional direction. Enter step five…
5. Find the Freebies
Freebies are everywhere, all at once and all the time in this digital age. If you are finding it difficult to figure out what moves you need to make, take an open-minded approach by expanding your curiosity. Take a free course on Coursera to explore new career paths, register for a networking event on Eventbrite, check out the innumerable webinars on LinkedIn, or download my free career redesign e-book (and sign up for my free Monthly Boost, while you’re at it!). Ideally you want to focus your attention on opportunities to help you get clear on what you want, take steps in the right direction, and build a network of people who can help you along the way.
6. Amass Accountability Partners
Do you have a few besties who are also looking to make some professional changes this year? Why not create your own peer group for accountability and inspiration? This doesn’t have to be a full ‘bells and whistles’ experience; it’s about creating the space to share and exchange perspectives. Studies show that publicly stating your goals to someone else gives you a 65% chance of completing them, and having a specific accountability partner increases that success rate to over 90% (especially if you can meet up with them in person). Here is a free resource to help you set up a group.
7. Invest in Volunteerism
Volunteer opportunities abound and can stretch you in ways you hadn’t even thought possible — without stretching your wallet. For those who are feeling especially pinched after the holiday shopping season, volunteering your time and services is a great way to explore different paths while giving back to your community. And to top it off, it’s also good for your health.
I wish you a healthy, happy, and fulfilling New Year. Do keep in mind: any progress toward your dreams and goals, no matter how small, counts for something. Let me know how you are getting on and any questions you have along the way; my inbox is always open.
