Is it Time to Relaunch Your Career?

Last week, we talked about a group of people who usually have a strong need for the kind of help we provide at Shaffer Ingenuity – the teen and young adult crowd. This week, I want to pivot to another group of hard-working individuals who may be getting ready to enter or re-enter the workforce – stay at home moms.

Knowing Your Worth

You’ve been doing some of the most important work there is. Your contribution to your family and society as a whole is immeasurable. For women preparing to begin, or restart their careers, the idea may be overwhelming. It’s not unusual for you to doubt yourself after being out of the game for a while.

In fact, you may feel empathy and be able to relate to the teenager we talked about last week. Do you know what you want to do? Maybe you worked before you started a family, and you’d like to return to the same job. Or is it time to totally reinvent yourself and go after the career you’ve always wanted?

Phases of Your Life

You’re an adult, so you’ve already learned we go through phases, or seasons, of our lives. You may be looking ahead to when your child starts school for the first time, or maybe you’re thinking about your son or daughter starting college in the Fall. As the kids go through changes, it often changes a parent’s mindset as well.

Regardless of where you fit into this dynamic, you’re apt to wonder if it’s time for you to move into the workforce and find new focus in a satisfying career. Moving into a new life phase can prompt you to ask yourself a lot of questions.

Your Inner Dialogue

The questions are many, and the answers require thought. As you sort through all these issues and formulate a plan, you will be influenced by many outside opinions, and some internal dialogue as well.
The conversation you’re having with yourself may go something like this:

• Is it too late to build momentum in a career?
• Should I work part-time or full-time?
• Do I want to start something I can do from home, or am I looking forward to working outside the home?
• How can I be sure the family will adjust?
• Am I doing the best thing?
• Do I have the skills I need?
• Will I have to go back to school and gain additional education or training?

The bottom line is – don’t trip yourself up with negative thinking and self-doubt. The self-talk you engage in can make or break you. Keep it positive and use affirmations and gratitude when your positivity reserves run low.

Goal Setting is Critical

Things change over time, but goal setting is always an important starting point for a new career, or a career change. Taking an honest look at your inventory of skills and investigating your options will help you to develop your goals. Learning to make goals, and working towards them, can make all the difference in your success.!

Once you’ve set the goal, you need a plan… a way to achieve that goal.

The Importance of Career Mapping

Like any journey you take, you will need to map out the path in front of you if you are to reach your destination. Although your circumstances are special, you will still require a plan which uses the same necessary steps as anyone considering their ideal career. Learning to use goal setting, and career mapping will give you an advantage as you are searching and interviewing for your perfect job.

Consider a Mentor or Support Group

Did you ever consider there are lots of people out there who will be happy to support you in this journey? Look support from your extended family network. There are many areas where you can use resources from workforce development programs through your local government. If you’re thinking of starting a business, the Small Business Administration will help you, at no charge, to get started.

A coach or mentor can serve as a tour guide as you work through your map. Sometimes, a one-to-one discussion with a career coach can help you clarify your goal and the path to your new career. I see people all the time who need a help figuring things out. It’s good to invest the time to do this, so you know where to focus your efforts.

All in The Family

Use all these resources, but don’t be timid when it comes time to enlist the help of your family. Call a family meeting to discuss sharing responsibilities for maintaining order in the home. Even the youngest can lend a hand and help out. Any other adults in the house should be able to contribute to a successful transition for you. Negotiate agreements which will support the new family goals.
Like any other family goal, you might have, working together towards the desired outcome will be satisfying to everyone.

This Week’s Challenge

This week’s challenge comes in two parts: If you are a stay at home Mom who’s considering re-entering the workforce, clarify your goals before you start working on a plan. Get help if you need it. If you know a stay at home Mom who wants to rekindle her career, please share this newsletter with her.

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Quote of the Week

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt