Part 3 of 3: The Career You Wish You Had…Dream to Reality

Photo by Megan Oswalt

By: Lana Perry

In Part 1 and 2 of this series, we laid the foundation for making a dream career happen and discussed the how to actually move forward. Read Part 1 and Part 2 so you don’t miss anything.

For Part 3 of “The Career You Wish You Had…Dream to Reality”, we are going to expand on what you’ve started. And after that, expand some more!


7. Plan

Now that you have some momentum going it’s time to come up with a plan. Seem a bit backwards? Well if you’re a big planner or perfectionist, it may. But there is a lot to be said for getting started instead of spending months contemplating a business plan. However, the time has come – it’s time for full on attack mode.

How: Now would be a good time to get some kind of marketing plan, job application plan, grad school application plan, business plan, some kind of plan together. Keep in mind this plan will likely change, so unless you need to present this plan to others, it doesn’t need to be too formal.  You’re simply creating a plan of attack that’s related to where you need to go next.

Example: With coaching, once I got the previous 6 steps in this article series down, I had to figure out how I was going to get paying clients. I decided that word of mouth was how I wanted to begin and build organically from there. That was my plan – pretty simple!


8. Network

Once you have gathered your proof of awesomeness and you have a plan together to proceed with, it’s time to start talking to people about it. Not just any people — the right people.

How: To network the most effectively and authentically, you need to get your new career move on the tip of your tongue at all times. Formulate a target list of people you know (time to really wrack your brain!) that could use your product, know someone that could, could mentor you, could intro you to someone important for you, etc. Then reach out to them, the more personally you can do this, the better. I will write a follow up article on this topic, there’s so much more to say.

Example: I make sure I slip the work I do into any convo I can. You never know who knows someone or who wants to stand in your corner to promote what you want to do to others. (Use karma here, and pay it forward and help others!)


9. Go bigger

Once you have reached your first level goal, which I’m assuming will occur because you’re amazing, it’s time to go bigger. Be grateful, count your stars, but keep it moving forward!

How: Envision all the directions you could go with your skills and your passions. Feel free to review the steps in Part 1 if you need to get your mind back in brainstorm mode. What you’ll want to do is figure out what next move will take things to the next level for what you’re doing. Then take it there. Rely on Steps 7 and 8 as needed!

Example: After gaining a good number of coaching clients through word of mouth, I decided it was time to promote my services through this very blog and my social networks. As for writing, after getting a slew of awesome magazine and blog contributing and editing gigs, I decided to start my own. So now I’m planning my NEXT move!

 

Conclusion: Okay…ready, set, GO! I hope this series has been a useful blueprint for those of you with big dreams that feel stuck or who simply need assurance you’re on the right track. Despite reading the steps, many of the people I Career Coach thrive on our sessions because of the added accountability, organization, motivation, feedback, structure or violent shaking…depending on what their needs are. We can talk about how Career Coaching would work to make your dream career into your reality, just contact me at lanaelizabeth@gmail.com!


© Photo by Megan Oswalt