I adore working. In fact, my job was one of the most important parts of my life – it was certainly where I spent most of my time and nearly all of my focus. I was one of the lucky ones who found a job I absolutely loved. I’ve spent my career in retail & customer experience and I thrive on making things happen – hitting a revenue & profit goal, devising ways to operate in a more customer centric way, directing a project to launch on time. Most of all I really love working with others, supporting them to grow and achieve their objectives and bringing teams together. I have worked hard to get where I am, was and I was B.U.S.Y. I always had a back-up plan…or at least I thought I did.
Recently, I made a change and pressed pause on my corporate career as I knew it. It sounds like a choice – it came about after my second cancer diagnosis. My body was screaming at me to slow down and bring self-care into my life and career decisions (and the workaholic in me couldn’t let go). The reasons behind the need for change – to rest and recover – made it slightly easier, I think. But, this pause was not entirely without its challenges.
I was scared that by taking a pause and making changes that I would become irrelevant, that I would lose my magic. I wasn’t sure how to fill my time or what exactly to do with myself (initially at least and that didn’t last long). And the biggest question of all was – what should I do next?
I know many people don’t decide to have their career interrupted and I hope by sharing the things I’ve learned and tried (still trying) may help if you suddenly, or not so suddenly, find yourself out of work and at a pause, career interrupted:
Reframe what’s happened
See it as an opportunity. I know, its easier said than done and it may take a bit of time and effort but…
It maybe that there has been something you’ve always wanted to try to do and now you are free to try. Maybe you weren’t enjoying your job and its an opportunity to find one that you will enjoy.
Embrace the pause
I’ve spent time reflecting and reassessing my ambitions, values and goals – as well as skills. Below are some useful prompts I’ve used to help me gain a bit of clarity:
- What makes me passionate?
- What do I love doing?
- What motivates me?
- What skills and experiences can I use in new or different ways?
- What is an ambitious goal that I have always wanted to pursue?
Go to ‘work’
I realised quickly that a ‘free’ work week, with no plans and no direction left me feeing dissatisfied and even anxious. I hate feeling unproductive. My tip – set your working week up as though you have a job.
I started to use a weekly planner to map out my Monday to Friday, a bit like a school timetable, and a daily progress journal. I’m now clear about what I want to achieve each week (even if its doing something that doesn’t earn me money).
If you’re looking for a job, it might be that you set the week up with a plan to spend time each day searching and applying for roles and another part of the day learning a new skill or progressing through a training course.
Or if you’ve decided to go it alone, then map out the steps you need to take and make it happen!
Network
A friend reminded me that people love to help others. I find it hard to ask for help but I’ve taken opportunities as they have arisen which has led me to reach out to people I’ve lost contact with or I’ve taken up the offer of being connected with new people.
Some of my successes here – a conversation at a party has led to a call with a new connection, a Linkedin post and a free webinar has reconnected me to someone I worked with a long time ago and then there are people who I’ve stayed connected with who just want the best for me. What I’ve realised is that I have a really good network and I can still grow it.
My advice is – plan networking into your week, and, when meeting with people, be open about your thoughts and ideas, seek advice. You never know where it might lead or the insights and ideas it might spark. Most of my jobs have happened through being introduced to someone I know because I’ve been open about what I want for my future.
Find joy
Spend some of your time doing the things you love, you never know one of them could become your next career opportunity.
Over the last few months, I’ve seen stories about the retailer turned knitting shop owner who, after facing redundancy, decided to make her hobby her career. The corporate lawyer who used yoga as a form of exercise when faced with a health condition who decided to train to be an instructor.
The list goes on…
Or like me, you might find joy in helping others – in one of my many new roles, I’m a proud supporter of Menopause and Cancer, helping the many other women who face menopause as a result of their cancer treatment.
Look after yourself
This is probably the most important thing of all.
Whatever your go-to self-care strategies are use them. For me, its running regularly, daily journaling, having an aromatherapy bath, reading and occasionally indulging in a hot chocolate.
I’m now testing out a few different things work wise – using my skills and experience to support people and organisations. I’m also open to opportunities as they arise. The interruption might not be easy and it might not be your choice, but with the right mindset, a plan and some small goals, it can be transformative and positive. I’d love to hear more about your career interruptions and ways you’ve navigated them, comment below:
Some resources I've found useful:
