Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Career Design "Killers" ... Immunity Challenges & Cures
Candidates traditionally associate pain, anxiety, fear and trepidation with changing careers or simply finding a job.
Without question, the modern candidate's fears and insecurities, encouraged by negative human nature, create a fertile atmosphere for the many common "career design killers." As outlined by Jay Block in a workshop I once attended to secure designation as a Certified Employment Interview Professional they include Fear of Failure, Fear of Success, Fear of Change, Complacency and Lack of Energy. They include:
Fear of Failure stops the candidate before he begins. It manifests itself in a million-and-one excuses regarding why he will not be able to find a new position. A powerful method to overcome fear of failure is to recognize and confront the consequences of inaction and realize the long-term effects of those perceived fears.
Fear of Success is a far more dangerous "killer" than Fear of Failure. Some folks are so accustomed to defeat that they orchestrate their own demise. It's actually more comfortable to stay in a habitual state of defeat because, probably during childhood, either a candidate's early role models lived in that mentality or damaged the candidate's self-esteem with discouraging messages. The best cure for this killer lies in those that are close to the candidate providing support and encouragement in repeatedly praising even the smallest accomplishment.
Fear of Change is known today as the unwillingness to leave one's "comfort zone." It takes real courage to be more than a creature of habit, but the employment market and economy are cyclical, and today there is no such thing as status quo. People are slow to change but the antidote is to again realize the repercussions of not adapting to changes you can't control. The cure? Modify your beliefs about change and you will alter your destiny. Accept change as another opportunity for gain.
Complacency is a silent assassin. It is defined as the sense of resignation when you accept your career as bearable. You have neither great dreams nor aspirations on the horizon. The result of this attitude is that the candidate is never seeking or prepared for opportunities when they are presented. This may be the most difficult culprit because there is no sense of urgency. Lack of momentum gives way to paralysis. To build up immunity the candidate must demand more from himself. Be a visionary. Act on his own behalf.
Lack of Energy is defined as the willingness of the mind to be productive but at the objection of the body. Physical energy is the key to career design success. Although I'm no fitness expert, I do know that too much caffeine, sugar and fat combined with a sedentary lifestyle is normally the culprit when my clients can't seem to "get it together." There are numerous sources to help a candidate with lifestyle changes, and though requiring strong discipline results are almost immediate.
Without question, the modern candidate's fears and insecurities, encouraged by negative human nature, create a fertile atmosphere for the many common "career design killers." As outlined by Jay Block in a workshop I once attended to secure designation as a Certified Employment Interview Professional they include Fear of Failure, Fear of Success, Fear of Change, Complacency and Lack of Energy. They include:
Fear of Failure stops the candidate before he begins. It manifests itself in a million-and-one excuses regarding why he will not be able to find a new position. A powerful method to overcome fear of failure is to recognize and confront the consequences of inaction and realize the long-term effects of those perceived fears.
Fear of Success is a far more dangerous "killer" than Fear of Failure. Some folks are so accustomed to defeat that they orchestrate their own demise. It's actually more comfortable to stay in a habitual state of defeat because, probably during childhood, either a candidate's early role models lived in that mentality or damaged the candidate's self-esteem with discouraging messages. The best cure for this killer lies in those that are close to the candidate providing support and encouragement in repeatedly praising even the smallest accomplishment.
Fear of Change is known today as the unwillingness to leave one's "comfort zone." It takes real courage to be more than a creature of habit, but the employment market and economy are cyclical, and today there is no such thing as status quo. People are slow to change but the antidote is to again realize the repercussions of not adapting to changes you can't control. The cure? Modify your beliefs about change and you will alter your destiny. Accept change as another opportunity for gain.
Complacency is a silent assassin. It is defined as the sense of resignation when you accept your career as bearable. You have neither great dreams nor aspirations on the horizon. The result of this attitude is that the candidate is never seeking or prepared for opportunities when they are presented. This may be the most difficult culprit because there is no sense of urgency. Lack of momentum gives way to paralysis. To build up immunity the candidate must demand more from himself. Be a visionary. Act on his own behalf.
Lack of Energy is defined as the willingness of the mind to be productive but at the objection of the body. Physical energy is the key to career design success. Although I'm no fitness expert, I do know that too much caffeine, sugar and fat combined with a sedentary lifestyle is normally the culprit when my clients can't seem to "get it together." There are numerous sources to help a candidate with lifestyle changes, and though requiring strong discipline results are almost immediate.
