During this epidemic and the accompanying lockdown together with social distancing has also led to layoffs in many organisations. Employees are overnight without any work of means of income and it is very difficult to get an alternate work in these difficult times.
In these uncertain times, we tend to withdraw into ourself and cling to the status quo. We become shortsighted and focus on our most urgent decisions., keep our families safe and healthy. When we are overwhelmed, it can be hard to find time, motivation and mental energy to think about long term questions.
However, despite all the uncertainties, these are the best time to plan for the future. It is an illusion to look for predictability and total control. There are a few strategies that can help anyone leverage the uncertainty to reinvent their strategy.
Explore a range of options
Anything can happen in uncertain things. Consider every possibility including the worst and it will make them less intimidating enabling you to think through the problem and find solutions to overcome it.
So also if you are looking for work, plan for a scenario in which you may be unemployed for twice as long or that your family would be without income for some time. Though it may never happen, planning for the worst is the best preparation you can make so that you are not in a bad position if such an event happens.
Imagine the best possible future
Planning need not be only about the worst-case scenario. Think about opportunities and ideas that you may never have thought of before. Think of the different ways you can utilize your skills and fulfil your passions. The more you have thought through these options the better your preparation would be to grab opportunities when they occur.
Thinking about the best case can be harder than the worst case.
- Think about your most difficult moments in work and how you overcame them. This could indicate a skill that you could build upon.
- Construct a personal highlights list that would help you remember your best moments.
- Think of how you spend your free time. This could indicate some skills that you can develop and share.
- Go beyond your industry and explore new areas and new trends.
Build Capabilities relevant to your future
Identify the skills you would like to develop first, to grow toward your goal and then identify jobs that might be a good fit.
- Find opportunities to practice new skills in your current role.
- Explore online programs and courses.
- Reach out to people you can learn from through informal learning advises and formal coaching. The network you have developed is your best resource. They may even promote you when they become aware of your skillset.
Start small
To get started from paralysis or inertia, start small. Focus on what you can change in the short term. If the task seems big, break them down in manageable chunks. If you are not sure what to prioritise, start with certain no-regret moves, that will be helpful irrespective of circumstances
Be ruthless in what you want to leave behind
Planning for a dynamic future also means making strategic choices about what to abandon. It may be hard to give up, but moving forward being clear-eyed of what is no longer serving you and give yourself space to pursue something new.
Human beings are wired to avoid uncertainty. Treat uncertainty as an opportunity for growth whether it is for learning new skills, job or career. There are no easy answers but you can deal better with the future if you are prepared for it.
5 Strategies for Reinventing Your Career in Uncertain Times
by David Lancefield and Dorie Clark HBR 2020/11
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