Where is Your Next Career Runway?
Posted on July 15, 2019 by Jim Mooney, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
During career transition, many of us try to restore the most positive aspects of that career, albeit it a bumpy and uncomfortable flight at times.
Where is Your Next Career Runway?
In my coaching and consulting practice I work with all levels and ages of professionals and leaders who are transitioning careers either by choice or a set of circumstances.
In the career we left behind, we achieved our own version of success. It is ours. Even if at times it was miserable for some or even very trying, we owned it. It is a lot like an airplane flight in many ways. Some of us achieved First Class, some Premium and some of us were happy in Coach for a while but became frustrated when we could not be upgraded.
During career transition, many of us try to restore the most positive aspects of that career, albeit it a bumpy and uncomfortable flight at times. That flight, however we endured it, is part of us no matter what measurable altitude of happiness, gratification and rewards it provided.
As humans, when one chapter of our career or flight is over, we often look for the next flight. Let’s call this your “personal runway” to your Next.
As you look to your next personal runway, you may find yourself in one of these mindsets:
That Was My Last Career Flight —You have said, “I am done. I have enough to land safely, and now follow my passions and hobbies and spend time for ME in retirement. I have no interest in a Next career flight. My new runway is total enjoyment!”
In Transition – You may be winding down with a new flight plan and testing a new route, which will bring about a different altitude of excitement and enjoyment with rules of engagement in your own terms. This is exciting for you and you have much hope and confidence at the same time.
Immediate shift- You have been forced to make an immediate change. You had to find a parachute, are dealing with the shock and looking back to get on a new runway as soon as possible for another flight in the same career or hopefully even better.
On the Fence – You have landed safely. But something inside you is still looking for the next runway. You are exploring what this really means and perhaps confused about your self identity, ego, and sense of value because the alignment in your previous career provided all that for you. When you think of your next move, you choose to see what happens and enjoy every moment of your new freedom.
Or something else…please fill in the blank for where you are in choosing your next runway.
As a certified professional coach with experience as a leader in a variety of functions, I enjoy partnering with individuals on developing a plan and taking action steps to achieve readiness for their Next Runway.
Please reach out if interested in professional career and leadership coaching.
I will have some additional coaching client openings becoming available in August.
All the best!
©Jim Mooney Professional Coaching and Consulting
