FutureVisions^SM

creating sustainable results in growth and performance

Exercise 4. Imagine you are near the end of your life, and you are very, very old. As you look back you can see yourself clearly just as you are right now, in the midst of radically changing your course in life. Assume that you have amassed a great deal of wisdom as a result of having a wide array of life experiences—knowledge about yourself, other people, and the way the world works.

Assume also that as you look back at yourself from what I call "the long view," you feel an overwhelming degree of love and com­passion for yourself. You may no longer be interested in some of the outer trappings of life—how shiny your new car was, how big your house was, or whether you wore the latest fashions.

With this frame of mind, answer the following questions: What career would I pick if I were looking with wisdom from the long view? What will make me happy? What can I look back at with a deep sense of pride and sacredness? What career will give me what I really want, deep down inside?

Enter your discovery here:

Congratulations! You've created your career fingerprint. Whatever career title you chose will be the one that we will use for the rest of the book as you work to quickly change careers. Now you'll see how all of the objective data and self-knowledge you've gathered can be put into action, and fast!

My No. 1 preferred career is     

 

Now that you know what you want, there are eight main career change strategies (one or more of which I'd like you to apply):

1. Transferable talents
2. Strategic education*
3. On-the-job training
4. Internship
5. Short-term education (90 days or less)
6. Volunteering
7. Just dive in!
8. Entrepreneurship

*Changing Your Resume - How can you let the employer know that you're involved at an insti­tution of higher learning? Clearly your strategic education is something you want to emphasize so that it stands out on your resume. Add that you are enrolled in a program in this paragraph by saying:

Currently enrolled in the course of study leading to a degree in      at the University of

If you feel uncomfortable saying "a course of study leading to a degree," you can alternatively use one of these statements:

Currently enrolled in undergraduate courses in           at       College.

Currently enrolled in graduate courses in         at       Institute.

In those first few crucial seconds as the employer reads your resume, he or she will know that you are making the effort to increase your knowledge through education and will be duly impressed by your intent to learn. That's the beauty of strategic education!