7 Career Mindset Shifts For a Turbulent World: Day 2: Shift 1-The Detail

Missed the back-story? That's here. And now Mindset Shift 1 in more detail.

• Shift 1: From planned single career to flexible multi-career.

1. For our grandparents: 1 career for Life.
2. For our parents: at least one career shift, common.
3. For us: the need for a multi-career path to cope with the comings and goings and importantly disappearance of job opportunities, whole sectors and the acceleration of technology.

Here's the great news: you're going to live longer than anyone ever thought possible, the barriers to your choosing (a) new career(s) are lower than ever and the pace of change gives blossoming opportunities every minute of every day. However. However. However. You've got to 'switch on' to the opportunity before it becomes a threat: there are no guarantees, there is no orderliness and your careers teacher, bank manager and the guy down the bar just don't get it. It's Frontier Land again. Whatever you are good at now whether it's being a dental hygienist, an English teacher, an MBA professor or brain surgeon; things are changing in your field and people are costly, very costly. Yep, stake your claim. But just as then, it is now: it's down to you. Here's your strategy:

1. Manage your own career. Talk to as many people as you can. Read as much as you are able. But never, ever assume your CEO is at all concerned about your career. If they are, that is a fantastic bonus. Take 100% ownership for your salary, your development and most importantly your passion for what you do.
2. Every month when you get your pay-cheque, ask the question: what will I be doing in 12 months time and how am I preparing for that? Are you sure?
3. Get on every damn course you can. Pay for some yourself. Discover what you love. Work on knowledge, skills and attitude. The latter is essential: stay open-minded to possibilities.
4. Read intensively about your field. What's happening? Where is it going? Who's just surviving?  Who's thriving? Who's dying?
5. Immerse yourself and become great at soft skills such as leadership. These cannot be replaced by a chip.
6. Decide to become astonishingly good at what you do. You will not then be out-sourced. Get within the top 10% of your field with 24 months. Then the top 1% within the next 36 months. 
7. Start building your profile and brand. Your brand = what people say about you when you are not in the room.
8. Start a blog. Write a book. Neither needs to be published (That is not really the point, in fact. Do you run a marathon to win?) but you must get clear on what you are about and get good at articulating your thinking. Both will force that.
9. Keep on top of technology (Michael Sampson will help) but don't be seduced by it. Your greatest asset is still your ability to think clearly. Notice what Michael has done on the publishing and personal brand fronts, BTW. Awesome.
10. Don't talk about this any more: create a plan. Stick it on the fridge. Share it with those who are important to you. No, no coffee: write that plan. Then coffee.

tbc.