If you asked me six months ago what my professional aspirations were, I would be writing a different story. However, there have been many events that have taken place over the past six months that have begun to pave the way for a potential new direction in my life. Before this blog post I never considered a strategy toward self-actualization and here I realize at this point in time how utterly important it will be for me to come up with specific strategies to help me chart the course for my future. Please know that I have no regrets; I have had a very rewarding and wonderful career at Molloy College. This does not mean I will be leaving my position. I will be planning for my future while continuing to help the College grow.
Strategy. What is a strategy and why do I need one now?
Strategy, according to BusinessDictionary.com "is a method or plan chosen to bring about a desired future, such as achievement of a goal or solution to a problem."
I was very involved in the strategic planning process at Molloy College and will apply most of what I learned from that process to my own strategic plan, which will follow a similar timeline (5-10 year plan).
Do I go out on my own and start my own business?
Do I go part-time and stay home with my family?
Do I continue with grad school so I can teach online part-time?
Where do I take my many years of experience with intuitiveness, strong people skills, public relations, marketing, digital and social media, strategic planning, etc.?
I cannot look at this as an end but a beginning...the dawn of a new day...
Actually, today's reality probably began long before now. Signs have been presenting themselves to me but I thought they were just reminders to have me keep pushing myself forward to make my mark at the College, make more money, have a better job, and more responsibility. What I don't need now is more responsibility. I will keep things simple, stay focused and take care of myself in the process.
One day at a time.
Strategy for me now is to lay it all out on the table through a SWOT analysis; evaluating my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. First, however, I need to define a marketplace for me to move into - a new industry? I have long thought of becoming a writer of novels and books on leadership and process improvement.
Strengths: people, intuitiveness, generosity, trust, friendly, digital, web, social media, reliable, dependable, organized, love of writing, process improvement, innovation, and energetic.
Weaknesses: taking on too much at once, not delivering on time, burn out, and putting others before myself.
Opportunities: Teaching online; writing novels - both of these things are within my control to begin.
Threats: Finishing Grad School, getting an online teaching job; Competition in the publishing business.
It is my hope that my current employer will offer me the opportunity to teach online. As far as writing books and novels, I need to just start writing. I will follow these 10 steps:
10 Steps to Writing a Book
References
Business Dictionary
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