The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
Recently, I’ve been waxing philosophical about what life in a post-pandemic world is going to look like. Maybe you have been as well?
When my son grows up, he’s going to be reading about COVID-19 as part of a history course and he might even ask me what it was like to live through it.
I’ve been fortunate.
I’ve been with my family and we’ve been safe.
I’ve kept working.
But for many folks, this past year has been really hard.
And I’m not going to go into all the details of why. You already know.
The thing is that times like these, as cliche as it may sound, really make you think about what’s important.
What’s reeeaallly important to you?
As Oprah would say, “Are you living your BEST life?”
Coming out of this pandemic is scary and exciting all at the same time because this is an opportunity to reinvent your life.
Some people are going to go out there and travel more.
Some will say “YES” to more of the events they used to turn down (I’m looking at you karaoke nights).
Some will continue their new hobbies.
Some will pivot in their career.
This last one may sound harder than continuing to learn French or bake sourdough loaves.
In some ways, it is.
How would I know? I just admitted to being gainfully employed during the entire pandemic, right?
Right. And yet, I wasn’t always a Career Coach or an entrepreneur.
I actually graduated college in 2009. Yeah, that 2009.
The one where my son will learn that the U.S. entered a major recession and college grads found themselves with degrees and student loans but no job force to enter.
I ended up with a job that year but it wasn’t helping me to “live my best life.”
I was very disconnected from my means of receiving a paycheck aka my job.
I listened to my instincts
and eventually found my calling after a few wrong turns and some lucky breaks.
That’s why I feel compelled to share with all of you that the career change you’re thinking about …
because we were all on pause for so long and you realized that you couldn’t go back to
working for the weekend or sticking it out until retirement…
is possible, even in this historic time.
Maybe it’s even more possible because of this historic time.
Think about it. We’ve all been through this together. Was there ever a more relatable experience to reference?
Interviewer: “Why are switching careers?”
Jobseeker: “Well, during the pandemic…”
Interviewer: “Ahh, yes.”
Interviewer: “Why are you switching industries?”
Jobseeker: “I realized during the pandemic…”
Interviewer: “Of course.”
You get the picture.
This is actually the perfect time to be getting clear on what your purpose is and if your current job is aligned with it.
If you’re coming out of this time with a renewed commitment and satisfaction in what you’re spending a third of your life on (Yes, that’s for reals. We spend a third of our life at the office working), then by all means, as you were.
If you’re coming out of this time with a sense that you’re wasting your time and energy on a role that will never pay you back, then look at this as your first step on your journey to your real career or calling.
I’m choosing to view the future as bright and full of potential and I hope that you will, too.
Just for fun….Imagine you’re talking to your grown up children or grandchildren many years from now.
Let me know in the comments below what you want to tell them you changed about your career path in the year 2021!!!