Get Clear About What You Want … and What You Don’t

“Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made. If you want a different result, make a different choice.” — Unknown

Hi Audie,

“April showers bring May flowers”, as the rhyme goes, is music to my ears. I’m definitely drawn to green grass, lush trees and beautiful flower beds, so as trees are starting to blossom, grass is getting green and flowers are blooming here in the Chicago area, I’m in my happy place! Wherever you are, I hope you, too, are enjoying what nature is bringing you this time of year.

The Spring season is often thought of in terms of renewal, hope and growth; phases of a transition journey or a reawakening from the winter slumber (and Covid restrictions).

This month’s newsletter addresses the topic of reflecting on this past year and consciously deciding what choices, chances, and changes you can make today that will enable you to lead a more intentional and aligned life/career in the coming year(s).

I’d love to hear from you! Let me know how this month’s newsletter resonates with you and what questions or topics you’d like me to address in a future newsletter.

Warm regards,

P.S. I invite you to share my newsletter with anyone you feel could benefit from receiving valuable content and insights specific to mid- to senior-level executive job seekers/career changers. 

P.P.S. To learn more about Your Call To Action, LLC and how I help my clients go from being frustrated and struggling with their search, stuck in a toxic work environment or ready to take their career to the next level but the opportunity to advance within their current company is slim to none to feeling excited, valued and re-energized at work (and in their life) again, take a look around my website.

Get Clear About What You Want … and What You Don’t Want

“At any point in your story, you are free to reimagine the narrative you are living.” — Jeff Goins

This past year brought many abrupt changes and adjustments to our lives with regard to our careers and life ranging from adjusting to working from home and interacting with your team via Zoom calls, to juggling work and family responsibilities (to the max) in the confines of your home, to perhaps having been impacted by corporate restructurings and feeling a myriad of emotions, to name a few.

As you reflect on the past year I invite you to take pen to paper out and write down your honest answers to these questions:

• How have I evolved, changed and grown this past year?
• What baggage am I carrying that I no longer need?
• What ideas and beliefs have I outgrown?
• What in my job am I tolerating knowing full well it’s taking a toll on my health and wellbeing?
• What ways of responding have outlived their usefulness?
• Have I enjoyed (thrived) working from home OR do I prefer to work in an office?  Would I like the flexibility of a hybrid of the two?
• What choices and changes can I make today to ensure I’m living a more fulfilled, aligned and rewarding life/career?
  
  

Being clear about what you want – and don’t want – in your next opportunity (regardless of whether you work for someone else or decide to launch your own business) is critical to creating an effective and strong resume and LinkedIn profile and in formulating your messaging. It will also empower you to ask compelling questions throughout the interview process and gather key information you’ll need to make a well-informed decision and set yourself up for success once a formal offer comes through.

“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

One of the first action items I have clients go through is completing a Clarity Exercise. I created this spreadsheet decades ago (and used it many times throughout my career) whenever I would begin thinking about making a job change to advance my career or take on a new challenge.

Many of my clients have shared they’ve been on auto-pilot with regard to their career, and this is the first time in years they’ve stopped to think about and reflect on this and design their next move to be a better fit for where they are in their life.

If you are currently in job transition (either working full time or in between roles) or feeling unsettled at work and ready to move on, I encourage you to download and complete the document. Read the brief instructions and block out 30 minutes to fill this out honestly based on where you’re at today – it’s for your eyes only and there are no wrong answers.

Upon completing this exercise, you will have tremendous insights into your ‘ideal’ next role, environment and other key criteria that will lead to your living a more fulfilled, rewarding and aligned life (and career).

“The 3 C’s of Life: Choices, Chances and Changes. You must make the choice, to take a chance, if you want anything in life to change.”
— Bob Kerry

Now that you’ve completed the Clarity Exercise and you’ve answered the questions in the above section, I’d welcome the opportunity to talk with you about where you’re at in your career, what your key takeaways are from the exercises and see how I can help you gain better alignment and find the right opportunity for you. Click here to schedule a Complimentary Strategy Session.  

If you are a mid- to senior-level executive and motivated to find your next opportunity (or know someone who is), I'd love to speak with you to better understand your situation, what you're looking to do, and see how I can be of help.

Book your complimentary 40-minute Strategy Session here.

Prior to launching Your Call To Action, LLC in 2015, Audie spent over 30 years in technology sales and sales leadership roles working with C-Level and other key stakeholders at Fortune 1000 companies utilizing a consultative and value-based approach to addressing her clients' needs.

Due to the evolving nature of the technology industry, it was common to change companies due to M&A, new leadership coming in and bringing their own team, corporate restructurings, or as a way to advance one's career. Audie became very proficient — and successful — in landing multiple offers each time, and was frequently complimented on how she stood out (in a good way!) from other candidates throughout the interview process.

She leverages her business acumen, consultative and value-based approach to sales, and professional coach training (ICF Certified) in working with clients and delivering her proven methodology, strategies and tips for successfully landing a new position (after all, one needs to sell oneself, right?).

Audie is intuitive, nurturing, and compassionate yet firm—all of the qualities you should want in a coach. She is your accountability partner with a focus on helping you get real results ... and you’ll also have fun along the way!

Want to learn more? Click here to book a Complimentary Strategy Session.