« There is no favorable wind for the sailor who does not know where to go. »
– Seneca
Taking a step back in your life to gain perspective on your relationship and career challenges is strategic. It is fundamental for accelerating your professional growth and securing a position that matches your ambitions and commitment. It’s about taking control of your strategic agenda to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Just like a high-level athlete, visualizing each step to prepare for major life milestones is beneficial for your career and happiness.
Therefore, I propose structuring your agenda to better align your strategy with your ambitions. Here are some very easy-to-implement recommendations.
Daily: A few minutes
- My 2 or 3 successes of the day
Weekly: Friday afternoon is ideal
- Have I made sufficient progress on my 3 priorities this week?
- Does my agenda for the next week reflect my 3 priorities?
- What are the topics/priorities I need to focus on next week?
Quarterly:
- Celebration of my successes
- What I’ve learned
- What I will do differently
- Is my network aligned with my ambitions?
- Am I taking good care of myself and my loved ones?
Annually:
- Celebration of my achievements
- What I enjoy about my job
- What I want to change
- The theme I need to focus on this year: digital / leadership / management / organization / communication / AI / tech / creativity / networking / daring to ask / daring to take care of myself, etc.
Every 3 to 5 Years:
- Do I have the career and income I want and deserve?
- If yes: Celebration.
- If not, what is my action plan?
- Review your professional and personal life, especially by evaluating your professional network.
Here are some pertinent questions to ask yourself:
- What motivates me the most? What do I truly enjoy doing on a daily basis?
- What are the criteria I prioritize in my job?
- What are the non-negotiable points and limits I set for myself?
Identify your areas for growth and what you need to unlearn and then develop to advance in your career.
- What are my key successful experiences and the great talents I’ve utilized?
- Which of these skills might be useful for my upcoming positions?
- What missions have I truly enjoyed managing?
- What do I need (training, coaching, supervision, therapy, etc.) to evolve? In what form?
- Do I need to take better care of myself? (sports, osteopathy, family, partner, etc.)
Every 10 Years:
- Review the past 10 years: successes, joys, desire for change or continuity, or a shift in direction?
What are your aspirations?
Start by outlining your ambitions and aspirations, incorporating your need for meaning and enjoyment to enhance your intrinsic motivation. At this stage, it’s important to unleash your creativity and let your imagination run free. In design thinking, this method is called « return to the future. » By envisioning yourself in an almost unreal universe, you will free yourself from constraints, mental blocks, and barriers. The next step will allow you to return to the present with a more concrete and realistic scenario. Don’t miss out on your dream job due to excessive rationalism!
Set aside time for brainstorming sessions and jot down all the figures and places that inspire you (entrepreneurs, artists, athletes), and immerse yourself in biopics. This projection will help you identify your needs related to your career development.
Then set goals with timelines and milestones.
From age 50/60 onward:
- Prepare for the end of your career, retirement, or what comes next: financial planning, activities, family, volunteering, etc.
- Identify your personal legacy: what do you want to leave for your children, grandchildren, and professional environment? Whether it’s writing a book, bequeathing a house or works of art, contributing to a professional union or association, mentoring young people—the options are numerous and meaningful at an age when you enjoy passing on your knowledge.
Regardless of the stage you are at today, imagining or deciding on actions you want to take to successfully execute your strategic calendar is always useful. So, what are your first steps?
#leadership #coaching #supervision #inspiration #reflectivity