As you manage through work life transitions - searching for a new job, changing careers, returning to work after an absence - remember to exercise your power of choice. You do have it! Choosing where and how you will contribute your talents is the most powerful tool you have to finding satisfying work.

It’s easy to feel we have little choice in this challenging economy.

A sense of powerlessness causes some to develop a rather unhelpful outlook. You may know folks who adopt a “whatever” mindset. They think they have to take whatever comes along, follow any casual suggestion without weighing it and accept something just because “it’s there.”

It seems like the “whatever” attitude can show up when:

1. We don’t know what you want to do next - and feel ambiguous about job and career preferences.

2. We don’t know how to actually achieve our goals - the best strategies, tactics and trustworthy information sources.

3. We feel a sense of futility and discouragement about our ability to actually make it happen.

Be proactive in your work search

It’s okay to ask for what you want. Give yourself permission to actively pursue opportunities that will best serve you going forward.

To overcome the “whatever’s” —

1. The road to making to the wisest work decisions starts by first asking, “What do I want?” If you’re hazy about your direction, take the steps necessary to increase your self-knowledge, particularly about your values, interests, skills and preferences. Find work and a venue that will work well for you.

2. Don’t know where to start your search? There are very effective tools and resources available to you to help you. CareerOneStop is an excellent place to start. A U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored website, it offers great career and workforce information to job seekers. Also, please see our resources.

3. Dare to expect your success! You deserve it. Seek out supportive people, practice positive thinking, persistently do your part each day. You’ll feel empowered with a renewed sense of control as you work your action plan.

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.” (Robert Fritz)

Today’s question
Are you proactively pursuing what you really want?