Over the next month, I will be writing content on how to apply the “Know” step of the Career Strategy Framework. As I have worked with colleagues over the years to apply the framework I have received feedback that the Know step is generally the most challenging. It inspires curiosity about who we are, what is important, and who we want to become. Many people struggle with the “what do you want to be when you get older” question and how that relates to your passions in life. I find that many people have a hard time starting to define a career strategy or make a career transition because they are not deeply in touch with these basic questions in life.
One of the most important aspects of building your career strategy is to understand what brings you energy and what drains your energy. I have used Marshall Goldsmith’s book Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back if You Lose It as an incredible reference that helped me build my “personal profile” which is a deliverable from the Know step. I highly recommend the Mojo book if you are just starting out to develop a career strategy or perhaps at a career crossroads. Applying the concepts in the Mojo book will enable you to:
- Define what is important to your life
- Determine what brings you happiness and meaning
- Define or clarify your desired identity
- Shape your reputation
I am such a fan of this book that I recommended it to a group of people who are in the early stages of building their career strategy and plan. We will see who can find and measure their Mojo!