Have you considered your Plan C?

Do you consider a Plan C when you are planning your career? When you find yourself at a career crossroads, you may think you only have two, distinct (and often differing) paths. This could be Job A vs Job B or Job A vs Self-employment. Plan A or Plan B.  Simple. However, you may find that neither of those options are, well, an option. It feels like a choice that won’t bring you the work-life balance you desire, so you feel trapped.

If I ask you what your Plan C might be, will you respond with a blank stare, an inquisitive eyebrow lift or even a bemused laugh?  Plan C is the place when you start to realise you have a  variety of options!

Now, to understand how to get to Plan C, you need to think about what it is that is motivating you to make that change.  You may be:

The Social Media Manager that wants to be able to switch off.
The Teacher whose Manager scoffs at the idea of Flexible Working.
The Business Owner with technologically naive clients.
The Academic with 24/7 contact from students.
The Manager who is being refused flexibility.
The Parent wanting to return to work, but aren’t sure what that looks like.

You want to have a career you enjoy not endure, right?

Now, what I am going to suggest may sound a bit counter-intuitive, but, if you have read my blogs before, you will know that you just need to trust me on this one.
Plan C can be created by one simple behaviour and feeling.

Are you ready?
Acceptance; the process or fact of being received as adequate, valued or suitable.

It’s once the most underused traits when it comes to creating a career you enjoy, not endure.

Sometimes when you are in a place of overwhelm or frustration, you can push against the areas of your role or sector that are, to put it bluntly, immovable.  You may decide that the only way to create what you need to do make a complete change.
The thing is, there are elements of roles and industries that are just part and parcel of what you need to do.  But, your energy and attention may be taken up trying to fight or change something that won’t EVER be changed, OR, won’t change in enough time for what you need, NOW.

 
So, with Acceptance in mind, you have two choices, both of which are productive.  Start by making a brain dump of all the things you LOVE about your job/sector/circumstances and all the things that are driving you to distraction
Review this list and make a decision on the following. Will you …

1. Accept them?

Accept that this is just the way it is, and work on changing the areas of your life, mindset and role that you can change. Pay attention to the things you love and decide what is worth making a compromise on?

 2. Don’t Accept them…

And innovate. Look at what other sectors and roles are doing and see how you can integrate it with the way things are. Acceptance, or lack of it, is key to creating a career you enjoy not endure and can lead you regaining control of your current career or business situation.
 
So there you have it, when you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, career wise, you are able to open up your mind to other opportunities by scoping out a Plan C.

Would this work for you? Come over to The Balance Collective with Clara Wilcox on Facebook and let me know! Want to see how I can help you take the next step in your Career. Book in a call here.