Thanks so much for the continued support of this column. Your
letters and emails really do mean so much.
One of the recent emails that caught my attention came from Eric.
He shared his personal situation but also asked my opinion about a
new direction that he was considering. What I really liked most
about Eric’s email was that he not only brought up a problem he was
facing, but he also included a potential solution. Too often we
all get caught up in our own challenges that we forget that we also
hold the keys to figuring out the answers to our own problems
too.
Eric has been searching for employment for nine months now. He has
an impressive resume, a strong skillset, a great work ethic, and
impeccable references. Having no luck getting his resume noticed,
Eric is considering leveraging his experience, knowledge and
connections to possibly start his own consulting practice.
He is not alone. I have received many emails over the past few
years from top professionals who are struggling with a job search
so they go to work for themselves. The stories have come from
corporate executives who have vowed never to return to the rat race
of corporate America. They have finally decided to follow a
forgotten passion such as construction, cooking, bartending, or
other dream. And then I have heard from small business owners who
have gotten so frustrated with the risks of owning or starting a
business that they are now seeking the security of a full-time
position with a corporation or local company.
So the question becomes this: When is it time to reinvent yourself?
That time will be different for everyone based on levels of
frustration, deep desire, need, and even despair.
The advice I offered Eric and what I will share with you is this:
Take the time to plan carefully, think through all options, and
seek input from anyone who may have made a similar leap or is
currently holding the position that you are now coveting. Take the
time to really understand “why” you want to make the move, and find
out what it will take to reinvent yourself. And reinventing
yourself does not mean altering who you are and what you stand
for. It doesn’t mean changing your character or your values. No
one expects you to be a chameleon just to get a job or start a new
business. If you take that route you will soon enough be found out
and either be given an opportunity to find success elsewhere, or
your business will fail because if you really aren’t who you claim
to be, it will be transparent to your customers and they will walk
away.
Reinventing yourself means taking inventory of your existing skills
and aligning those skills with your personal attributes, mission,
purpose and passion. It may include repackaging or repurposing
your assets, experience, knowledge and qualifications so that when
you start a business or seek employment, the benefits that you can
bring to the market will be more easily recognized by potential
employers, recruiters, and customers.
Are you reinventing yourself? Do you know someone who is? Keep
those emails coming and tell me all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com. Thanks
again and go ahead and make it a better than good week.
Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former
president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder
of www.candogo.com.
