Many of you know the expression, ‘toss the stuff against the wall and hope something will stick’ and many feel this is a good strategy in life as well as a good strategy when you are looking for a job, a career change or thinking about a complete professional pivot.
Far be it from me to tell YOU what to do, but, I for one, am not a big believer in this plan as a means with which to find that next career moment.
On the contrary, I am a big believer in being very selective about the ‘stuff’ you toss against that wall. Why dilute the process? You can justify it as a percentage ‘thing’ and find that as you toss many things that something certainly will stick. OK, that can work, but does it provide you with something that you really want? Does it impart something meaningful that will really advance you and deliver something that really puts you where you want to be? Might get lucky that way and if you do – I am 100% with you. However, the goal, the objective, as you move your professional life forward is to find something that absolutely feeds your head and scratches that itch. Best way to make that work is to be selective about that stuff you are tossing. That presents a better percentage, as you manage your time and focus on the landscape that puts you in the specific category you are looking for.
Filter the information you have and target the stuff so that as you begin to toss it, you have a tighter sight line with a target in mind. The primary directive here is to hit a bulls-eye, not the outer range of your target.
Don’t dilute your process. Manage your time effectively. Make all that work on your own behalf.
Use all the appropriate tools, like your network, your drive, your passion, your skills, your credentials, your instincts, your need to succeed and set your sights by raising your own bar so that as you begin to toss your ‘stuff’ – it lands where you want.
Work it. Manage it. Don’t mindlessly and aimlessly grab at a forced opportunity. No, create an opportunity for yourself.
