The whirlwinds of change

Change is difficult. Anyone who has changed something in their life–for example, changed their career, developed new relationships, or tried to get rid of a bad habit–will probably agree with this. However, for most of us change is inevitable, at least at some point in life. Flexibility in the face of change and the ability to become accustomed to new things is often the key to future working life skills. Due to changes in working life, it is necessary to be prepared to change direction and experiment with new things. In the future, it is most likely that people will have more than one career.

In search of answers

So, how to build your own path in the unpredictable world of work? Perspective and ideas for tackling this question can certainly come from many directions, but each person will have to find them for themselves–through effort and by genuinely reflecting on what is of interest to you, what you want to commit to, what things are already in good shape and what is important in working life in general. Above all else, change requires time and energy, as well as space to reflect on your own goals and motivations.

Here are some questions that can help you with your career-related reflections:

What would you like to achieve in your career?
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• What would you like to achieve in your career?
• What kind of help do you need to reach your goal?
• What experience do you need to reach your goal?
• What kinds of tasks do you like, and what gives you energy?
• What gives you experiences of success?
• What are you good at, and what kinds of situations are you most comfortable in?
• What areas do you want to develop in?
• What is important to you in working life, and what does it mean to you–how do you see work in relation to other parts of life?
• What do you expect from your work community, and what do you bring to the work community?

You might also want to consider your own path and your next steps through different roles. For example, are you aiming for a responsible leadership position where you can have influence and make decisions, or are you more motivated by specialist work that provides the opportunity to develop in-depth expertise? Or perhaps you see yourself as an entrepreneur, creating something completely new and unique to you? The good news about this multi-career world is that these options do not exclude each other–we could all do a whole range of different things over the years. Not everything needs to be done at the same time–and you shouldn’t even try.

Change is a transition to new experiences

The idea of change can cause anxiety, even fear. How can you know if your next job is one that suits you? There is always a risk in taking on something new–it may be that the new job is not suitable for you. However, new tasks and jobs are not lifelong solutions. It’s always possible to make new choices along the way If the decision on a new direction didn’t turn out as well as you’d hoped, then at least you’ll be one experience richer and a step closer to knowing what would suit you best. Sometimes it’s best to be like an explorer, seeking out new territory and courageously experimenting before finding your place.

It’s a good idea to see change as a special opportunity to reach for your goals and dreams. Change is always an opportunity to learn and experience something completely new. The support of managers, colleagues, coaches and friends is particularly valuable in times of change, and anyone can help someone striving for change to get closer to taking their next step.