Consult a Coach: I'm at the top of my career game – how do I stay motivated with no new milestones to hit?
Welcome to Consult a Coach, our regular careers clinic for Bazaar readers. Send us your work dilemma, and we’ll ask our career agony aunt – the industry professional, executive coach and motivational speaker Jo Glynn-Smith – to share her expert advice.
Here, Jo advises a reader who is feeling like her career has plateaued and wants to keep striving for more.
Explore the Consult a Coach archive, full of careers-based advice. Got a question you'd like answered? Email us at consultacoach@harpersbazaar.co.uk
Dear Jo,
I'm in my mid-forties and have had a successful career, but I don’t have a ‘next step’ in mind. I’m in a senior position and I’m happy with the level that I’ve reached, but it means that there are no obvious career milestones left for me to tick off. I’m concerned that if I don’t keep pushing for more, I’ll end up getting cast aside for someone more ambitious. The lack of a clear goal or promotion is also starting to make me feel less motivated. How can I stop feeling the only way is down when it comes to my work?
Sandra, 46
Jo says...
Dear Sandra,
Thanks for writing in. It’s completely understandable for anyone in a senior position to have concerns about next steps. After all, by your mid-forties, you could have the same amount of career years ahead of you as has passed, and you don’t want to waste them stagnating in the same role. I have a lot of experience coaching leaders, like you, to successfully navigate their next career chapter, so let’s get into it.
When we feel at a career crossroads, it’s often hard to see the wood from the trees. This can lead to confusion, worry and overthinking, which prevents action and makes us feel stuck. This is when I recommend taking a Career Audit; an opportunity to reflect on your professional journey so far. By doing this awareness exercise, you may be able to create some momentum and clarity to keep you moving forward.
Step one: Reflect
Reflect on your career to date: list your highlights, challenges, skills and strengths.
Now write down what you’ve learned most about yourself.
Step two: Review
Make a list of the values that are most important to you today. Our values change throughout our lives, so what was important to you in your twenties may not be as significant in your forties.
Next to each value, write down how you demonstrate it at work. Don’t worry if there are some that you can’t, this could be an interesting discovery.
Step three: Rate
How satisfied are you at work? Rate the following questions on a scale of 1-10 – 1 being not satisfied at all, 10 being completely satisfied:
How satisfied are you with your level of achievement?
How satisfied are you with the type of company you work in?
How satisfied are you with the people you work with?
How satisfied are you with the pay and benefits?
How satisfied are you with your job fulfilment?
How satisfied are you with the life balance you have?
How satisfied are you with your wellbeing?
Step four: Visualise
Let’s create your vision of success by answering these questions:
My measurement of success is…?
When I visualise being successful in the future I am…?
I feel successful when…?
I like to celebrate success by…?
Step five: Create
Once you have completed this mini audit, you will have some awareness around where you are today, how satisfied you are, what’s important to you, and what success looks like.
Based on this, how do you feel about your current position now? Use your answer as the catalyst you need to create some action or set some goals that will move you forward. You don’t have to take giant leaps, just small steps that will get you closer towards your vision of success or satisfaction.
Your second chapter deserves to be as rewarding as your first, so take control and make it happen.
Good luck!
Jo Glynn-Smith is a transformation coach, speaker and personal-brand expert from London who works with leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses to help maximise their team or individual potential. Before becoming a coach, she spent most of her career in the fashion industry working at the highest level with some of the biggest global brands. You can follow Jo for more coaching tips and advice on Instagram (@jojoglynnsmith) or visit her website, joglynnsmith.com.
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