Job loss can leave us reeling, regardless of whether or not it’s our choice. So much of our identity is tied up in our job – losing a job can stir up all sorts of emotions from fear to insecurity. It’s a monster that can get inside our heads and our hearts, if we let it. When that happens, the best way to fight that demon is to step back, take stock, and take time to focus on three things:
1. Who you really are;
2. What is most important to you;
3. Reimagining what your future can look like.
This isn’t the end, but a new beginning.
Jumping into a job search without finding their True North can be the first mistake many professionals make.
It doesn’t take a lot of time, it doesn’t take a lot of energy, but it does take commitment – to you. You may have helped write Mission, Vision and Value’s statements for your organization, but have you ever written one for yourself? Probably not! Most of us haven’t. This is a great exercise in helping ground and focus what you’re looking for before you start looking.
Once you do that, you are better prepared to find your calling vs finding a job. And it gives you the ability to assess an organization and leadership to ensure the right fit for YOU.
Writing personal Mission, Vision, and Values statements is a best practice I use with all of my clients who are seeking a change, have been forced into a change, or simply want to be the force of change within their organizations.
MISSION:
According to Simon Sinek in his book Start With Why, “mission and why” are what inspire people. I like to think of mission as the roots that ground a person in their work – mission is where the rubber meets the road.
...mission is where the rubber meets the road.
When writing a personal mission statement, you must get serious about YOUR why. What is your purpose and how do you express it at work? Answering these questions helps you zero in on what you are looking for and what your personal purpose REALLY is. So many people get this wrong – they focus on the mission of their employer versus really focusing on why they are put on this earth.
I have reflected throughout my career on my mission, and I have come to believe that for me, at this point in my career, it is, "to empower and mentor the next generation of leaders with knowledge, skills, behavior and self-awareness to lead generative, sustainable change and endurance for generations to come."
VISION
Mission is the why and vision is the where. Vision represents where you are trying to go. True vision statements should be audacious and really hard to achieve. They should be a declarative sentence that is bold! When crafting your personal vision statement imagine what the future can be… Don’t hold back… This is where you get to have fun. Express the utopian idea of who you are and what you want to create.
Don’t hold back…
Yours might look something like, “To be part of a community of people dedicated to changing the world by finding cures for cancer or other life-threatening diseases… or… a hunger-free world… or… equality for all…”
VALUES
Now that you have a why and a where, values describe the behaviors that drive you and shape culture. A values statement is a declaration that affirms your top priorities and core beliefs. It will help you identify with and connect to potential supervisors and employers. Shared beliefs with your employer always make going to work a little easier. Start by making a list of qualities, attributes and behaviors that are important to you, then use those qualities when considering your next employer. What are your values and how can you use those to match up with a potential boss and employer?
Example: To lead an organization that shares my admirationand respectfor people, their unique skills, talents and desire to find new innovativeways to deliver personalized,high-qualitycare to local community members.
My personal values are TRACE: transparency, respect, authenticity, courage and excellence.
At CEO Advisory Network we specialize in coaching leaders and teams who are ready for personal and professional transformation. We never start with what’s wrong, we always start with what’s right – what’s right for you. We can help you find your True North and when you’re ready, help you tailor your resume materials to find what you’re looking for. Just email me at nancy.steiger@ceoadvisorynetwork.com www.ceoadvisorynetwork.com.
Next week we’ll explore the challenges of preparing for the job search in today’s competitive and ever-changing job market. I’ll share some quick tips on how to stay relevant and what to do if you feel you’re falling behind in a technologically advanced job market.
For now, a few of my favorite books on finding your True North are:
“Life Reimagined” by Barbara Bradley Hagerty
“True North” by Peter Sims
“Start With Why” by Simone Sinek