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This is Part 2 of a three part series discussing career planning.  Your career planning probably started when you were a kid.  Everything is possible and exciting when you are young.  You need to maintain that same attitude throughout your life.  Those dreams were the starting point for your true inner passions.

In high school there are career classes to formally initiate the career planning process.  This planning allows the individual to formulate specific concrete goals, especially educational, and the process necessary to achieve those goals.  This is the planning process that can be utilized at any time in your life.

Every employer demands specific skills and education for their positions.  What is not specified is the applicant’s individual ability to be innovative and a problem solver.  Your personal career planning process should identify your ability in these areas.   It takes personal accountability to formulate and maintain goals.  Life and time may provide obstacles, but it is the responsibility of each person to deal with the issues and maintain focus.

There are five elements of a career plan.  They are:

  • Maintain a Positive Attitude – Your life is an adventure and your career plan should reflect this. A career plan is like planting a tree.  It will grow into many branches that will allow you the opportunity to change and evolve as a person.  Always make lemonade out of lemons!
  • Be Happy – There is no reason to have a miserable life. Time allows even painful situations to end.  Show personal courage and don’t settle for less than what you desire in life.  You will have energy and imagination if you honestly follow your inner spirit!
  • Think Outside the Box – With the changes in technology and the world economy, there are unlimited possibilities to utilize your individual interests and skill sets. Use the internet to research occupations and contact people in the internet chat rooms regarding careers that might be appropriate for you.  Keep an open mind and ask for suggestions regarding other vocational areas that are unknown to you.  Education can be obtained at any age, so don’t exclude some occupations just because today you don’t meet the education requirements.
  • Make Short and Long Term Goals – Accomplishing short goals will provide you with positive reinforcement. This provides you with additional patience to wait for the completion of longer term goals.  It is often easier to break down a longer term goal into manageable shorter term goals.
  • Market Yourself – You are a unique individual with a unique history, abilities, goals, and accomplishments. Use the internet to advertise yourself and start interacting with other people.  This is not the time to hide from yourself or others!

 

 

 

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