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When
flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound to come
across a Public Service Announcement (PSA) endorsed by a
celebrity asking children to approach their parents,
teachers, or someone they trust when they are at a
crossroads. Through these PSAs, children are told that
asking for guidance, encouragement, and support is a sign of
strength. They don’t have to go through a transition
alone—help is just around the corner.
As
adults, we tend to forget the value of reaching out to
others when we are in need of assistance. There is this
unwritten rule that we should be able to make decisions
without the guidance of others. The reality is, however,
that children and adults share a common ground: we are all
humans who encounter situations that are challenging from
time to time, and it doesn’t make sense to go it alone.
Signs
You Should Reach Outside Yourself
·
You find
yourself asking the same questions over and over because you
can’t find a resolution.
·
You find
yourself in a career transition and aren’t sure which
direction you should take.
·
You need
someone who can act as more than just a sounding board,
someone who can provide thoughtful and constructive
feedback.
When
reaching out for assistance with your career, you have the
following options:
·
Friend.
Friends can be sounding boards, have intimate knowledge of
your personal and professional life, and may be able to
offer objective and subjective advice.
·
Career
Mentor.
Find a mentor within your company who is experienced and
willing to guide you in your professional development. Your
mentor should want to share their knowledge and professional
experience, and expose you to new ideas and perspectives.
·
Career
Coach.
This is
someone who is willing to meet you where you are and assist
in getting you where you want to go. A career coach can ask
questions that inspire self-awareness and renewed enthusiasm
for your professional outlook.
Be in a
State of Mind
to Accept Assistance
Regardless if you choose to work with a friend, mentor, or
career coach, you should be open to new ideas.
·
Fall in
Love for Just 15 Minutes.
It is
easy to pooh-pooh an idea when it is first presented
by saying something such as, “I tried that. It doesn’t
work.” Instead of dismissing someone’s idea out of hand, try
to take in what they are saying and make the decision to
love their idea for 15 minutes. Listen and participate in
the discussion and buy into it, no matter how crazy you
think the idea is. You may be surprised at the progress you
can make by being open to others’ thoughts and suggestions.
·
Let Go
of Resistance.
If you
find that you are resistant to change, it may be because
your purpose isn’t clear, you fear failure (or success),
and/or you lack trust in your own ability to make decisions
that are in your best interest. A good friend, mentor, or
career coach will be able to help you through your
resistance.
Final
Thought
Your
advancement is limited only by your commitment to your own
career development. Involving others in your quest will get
you one step closer to who you want to be, personally and
professionally.
Job Seekers Who Read this Article Also Read...
From
“Just A Job” To Your Dream
Career
10
Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Career Change
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Certified in all three areas of the job
search—Certified Interview Coach ™ (CIC), Job &
Career Transition Coach (JCTC), and Nationally
Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)—Linda Matias is
qualified to assist you in your career
transition, whether it be a complete career
makeover, interview preparation, or resume
assistance. You can contact Linda directly at
linda@careerstrides.com or visit her
website
www.careerstrides.com for additional career
advice and to view resume samples.
Source:
Job-Interview-Advice.net
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