September is one of those busy months, holidays are over, children and students are back to school and after-school activities begin again.
September also seems to be a month when people are re-assessing where they are with their Careers. Perhaps it’s the end of the summer blues or maybe it’s the thought of facing into another long winter in a job that you no longer enjoy.
Autumn is an opportunity to focus on yourself and plant the seeds which will grow and bloom in Spring 2018!
Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower
Albert Camus.
Trees are shedding their leaves with abandonment, with no regard for how they look or how they’ll keep warm during the winter months. Trees put their trust in the seasons, they trust themselves that shedding their leaves is the right thing to do. Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let go!
What do you want to let go of this Autumn?
What’s getting in your way?
If you’re looking to sow the seeds for the future or explore your options, then the following may be useful for you to reflect on over the coming months:
- Do you know what your skills are? – Do a skills assessment – what can you do, what are you really good at, what skills have you to offer an employer?
- What do you enjoy – what do you love doing, what gives you energy? Take notice of the good days and the bad days, what makes them so?
- What’s important to you – what are your values? Is security, achievement more important than flexibility and variety?
- Open yourself up to new opportunities – Autumn is the perfect time to do an evening course, volunteer with a sports club, school or community group. Join a choir – music is good for the soul!
- Read & Learn – There is nothing better than a windy autumn afternoon, curled up with a good book. Go back to the Classics or books you read when you were younger. Read business books. Learn from others.
- Notice & Engage – notice the world around you, take off the sunglasses – it’s Autumn! Engage with those around you, you never know what might happen, a new friend, a new employer an opportunity to learn.
When Spring comes, you’ll be ready for anything! and if you need any career help or guidance with figuring out your next steps, give me a call.
Valerie O’Hanlon is an Award Winning Career Coach based in Castleconnell, Limerick.
