What season of life are you in?
I was pondering that question while on a sabbatical. Coincidentally I met many other professionals, older and younger than me, who were similarly grappling with the question or variations of it — What season have I come from? What do I want for the next season?
Below I have shared a framework outlining some observations about the broad seasons I saw professionals going through from my reading, reflection and conversations. I have also highlighted some of the most helpful resources for navigating each season.
Like any framework it’s not meant to apply perfectly to everyone but can give vocabulary and a reference to react to. It is also non linear which also means that people can move back and forth between seasons and may be simultaneously straddling multiple seasons.
Season of Exploring Self: characterized by exploring craft, interests and passions
Guiding Questions: What do I want to be doing? Where does this take me? In what contexts do I thrive and do my best work?
This stage is characterized by exploration and openness, and as a result can be confusing and frustrating with false starts.
Relevant Reading:
- Start up of You by Founder of Linkedin
- So good they can’t ignore you: Why Skills Trump Passion in The Quest for Work You’ll Love
- Candid advice on Picking a Career
Season of Refining Self: characterized by refining craft, finances and grind
Guiding Questions: How do I get better at what I am good at? How do I get recognized — in my organization and beyond — for my mastery?
This stage is characterized by realism, hard work and practicality — benchmarking self to others, being on the lookout for significant growth opportunities and specific mentor profiles matching your needs, having an acute awareness of professional value in monetary terms as well.
Relevant Reading
- When to go to grad school (Theo’s take + HBR’s take)
- Building your professional brand (HBR)
Season of Scaling Self: characterized by scaling craft, network, reputation
Guiding Questions: How do I have greater impact beyond my core job?
This stage is characterized by thinking about your time as yours first and your company’s second whereas stages before this are typically characterized by proving yourself and being all consumed by core jobs.
In this stage, the focus is on retelling the story of the value you can bring usually a combination of technical skills, strategic thinking, powerful network, relevant experience, communication; deepening your networks and affiliations; desire for signals of differentiation eg awards, Forbes 40 under 40, speaking engagements, which provide external validation; and building a reputation that can open strategic and spontaneous opportunities — this can also be enhanced by thought leadership opportunities including writing etc.
It is a challenging shift from being the driver to being an advisor.
Relevant Reading
- Insights on how to start leveraging your craft as a consultant (this was written for management consultants but provide great principles for anyone intending to consult)
- Are you ready for a board? by HBR
- Strategic approach to getting speaking engagements by Forbes
- Coaching and mentoring other leaders: two great resources from HBR on being an effective mentor (HBR here and here)
Season of Reimagining Self: characterized by reimagining life, motivations and impact
Guiding Questions: What kind of life do I want to live? What should motivate me differently from what has motivated me to this point? What do I want to be doing to have an impact?
This stage is characterized by rethinking the foundational aspects of your personal and professional identities.
Prompted by desires for legacy such as giving back and seeking purpose; major life transitions such as children becoming independent, becoming parents; industry shifts such as tech and big data adoption forces a re-imagination of your role; younger more agile candidates become preferred over traditional industry experience and tenure.
Involves a blend of re-exploring self, supporting individuals (manifesting in many cases as desire to mentor and coach others), and refocusing on relationships (particularly family).
Relevant Reading
- Couples that Work: How Dual-Career Couples Can Thrive in Love and Work is written for couples for whom having a meaningful career is important to both of them. She has curated research on principles of how to navigate transitions which apply on an individual level as much as they apply for couples.
- Half Time: Moving from Success to Significance
What additional resources have been helpful to you for various seasons? What guiding questions have you grappled with?
Reflection Verse: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
