A Coaching Model By Xiaoyu Zhang, Career Coach, CHINA
Strategies for Building a Unique Career Backpack
Help people to pursue a joyful, fulfilling, and sustainable career.
China recently announced a revised retirement policy, stating a gradual increase in the retirement age to 65 by 2055. This move is aimed at addressing concerns related to the aging population and a shrinking workforce. While this might seem like a novel development, many developed countries, including the USA, UK, Japan, and France, have already raised their retirement ages to 67, 66, 60, and 62, respectively, and these figures are continually on the rise.
This shift implies that individuals may find themselves working for a minimum of 35 years. In light of this, the question arises: How can one pursue a joyful, fulfilling, and sustainable career journey? This article aims to delve into strategies for building a unique career backpack tailored to individual needs and capable of providing enduring support.
Career Backpack
Map: Define Your Career Goal
Begin by clearly defining your career goals, considering both short-term and long-term objectives. Be specific about what you want to achieve.
Embarking on a career can be likened to navigating a complex labyrinth, fraught with challenges, unexpected turns, and occasional dead ends. It’s easy to feel lost amid these uncertainties. However, having a well-defined map in hand transforms the journey into an enjoyable adventure. Armed with a roadmap, you can stride confidently toward your destination, keeping the bigger picture in mind and making decisions that align with your passions. Just like a game, the map allows you to collect valuable skills and experiences along the way, akin to gathering game tokens.
Skill Set: Develop Your Skill Inventory
Evaluate your current skill set and experiences, pinpointing any gaps in your knowledge or abilities. This self-awareness will serve as the foundation for building a distinctive career backpack.
Actively pursue opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge by enrolling in courses, participating in workshops, and engaging in other relevant learning experiences. Prioritize the development of skills that are in high demand within your industry.
Energy Drink: Reboot Your Energy
As mentioned above, career paths can be demanding, and maintaining energy levels is crucial for long-term well-being and productivity. It is necessary to regularly assess your energy level and nurture your energy sources, which can lead to a more sustainable and enjoyable career journey.
What Brings You Energy?
- Food, Drink, and Sleep: Prioritize your physical and mental health. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep contribute significantly to sustained energy levels.
- Supporting Squads: Surround yourself with a supportive network of colleagues, friends, mentors, and coaches. Sharing experiences and challenges can provide valuable insights and emotional support.
- Passion and Purpose: Align your work with your passions and values. When you find purpose in what you do, it can be a powerful motivator and contribute positively to your energy levels.
- Mindfulness and Stress Management: Incorporate mindfulness practices and stress management techniques into your routine. This can help you navigate challenges more effectively and maintain a sense of calm.
Everyone has their own energy drink recipe. Keep it with you in the career backpack which could contribute to a resilient and fulfilling journey.
Umbrella: Hold Security in Uncertain Times
Uncertainty is a natural part of any career journey. In today’s fast-paced and intricate world, it becomes crucial to carry a secure umbrella, metaphorically speaking, to shield oneself from the unpredictable storms of life.
It is important to build up financial resilience. You may hear the term “fuck you money” which refers to having enough financial resources or wealth to be able to walk away from situations or relationships that don’t align with their values or well-being.
Establish a solid financial plan. Save and invest wisely to create a financial buffer that can support you during periods of uncertainty.
It is also very beneficial to develop transferable skills. Focus on developing skills that are transferable across different roles and industries. This flexibility can provide you with more options when faced with uncertainties.
Work takes at least 1/3 of our lifetime, let’s create a joyful, fulfilling, and sustainable career path together!
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