How to Navigate Career Challenges

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"Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life" - J.K. Rowling

At some point in your professional life, you might experience career challenges. How prepared are you for this?

These challenges can either be external, internal, or even both.

While our instinctive reaction may be to either fight, fly or freeze, an effective and holistic response may require several elements such as mindset shift, skills development, perseverance, and behaviour change.

As a careers coach, I am frequently asked, “How do I overcome career challenges and move to the next stage in my career?”

I often explain that this is a layered question that needs to be unpacked as follows:

• Firstly, there is no universal answer because each career journey is unique.

• Secondly, resolving career challenges require resources such as time and social capital. Embracing incremental steps can be invaluable.

• Thirdly, a shift in mindset is required bearing in mind that some challenges such as systemic barriers might be difficult to solve. So, what can you do in the meantime?

To help professionals address career challenges constructively, I have developed a four - step approach called the CIEG Framework: Clarify your situation, Identify barriers, Explore options and Goal setting.

Let us explore the CIEG approach.

1. Clarify your situation: What does the “next stage” mean to you? Is it a promotion, a career change, more fulfilment, or greater responsibility? Clarification can help you focus on the things you can change and set measurable goals. In addition, this process can help you identify the aspects that are outside your circle of influence and decide how to address them.

2. Identify the barriers: Are the challenges you face internal, external, or a combination of both? Internal obstacles might stem from limiting beliefs, value misalignment, or past experiences, while external ones could include organisational constraints, lack of opportunities, or systemic barriers. Some barriers may be difficult to resolve despite your commitment and resilience. In these situations taking incremental steps and being patient would be wise. By recognising and undertsanding your barriers, you can empower yourself to take intentional actions to address them.

3. Explore Your Options: Potential next steps might include upskilling or pursuing advance education, making a lateral move within your organisation, taking on new responsibilities, engaging with a mentor or a careers coach, volunteering to gain new skills or nurture other passion, and redefining your goals Each option carries risks and benefits, and a careful evaluation would be required bearing your long-term goals in mind.

4.Goal Setting: This involves stating the spefic actions you are ready to take, how you will take these actions, and when the actions will be completed.

Ask yourself:

• What can I do within the next 7/14/28 days to move forward?

• Do these actions relate to my values and long term goal?

• What milestones will keep me on track?

• Who can provide support for me?

• What tools will I need?

• How will I measure my progress?

Every career journey is unique. Using the CIEG framework gves you a clear direction to solve your career challenges.

As a careers coach, I encourage you to embrace qualities such as a positive mindset, adaptability, and perseverance as they are crucial for navigating career challenges.

What career challenges are you experiencing?

Take time now to reflect and use the CIES framework as a guide.