Many people, especially women, find it really hard to say ‘I am really good at’…
Are you one of them?
It is really important to know yourself well so that you can maximise your potential or ‘liberate all of your talent’. This is especially important for flexible working and portfolio careers.
In future, according to Lynda Gratton, author of ‘The 100 year life’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Year-Life-Living-working-longevity/dp/1472930150
and
‘The Shift – the future of work is already here’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=the+shift+lynda+gratton&hvadid=80676697514840&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0a9-21&ref=pd_sl_60k0s27bxu_e
making sure that your skills are fit for purpose for what is needed in tomorrow’s world of work as well as today’s, is really important. She talks about having a mastery area and 5 different talent areas that you can flex.
Q) So how do you know what your talents are?
A) It is a mixture of insights from internal and external sources.
Internal insights
Ask yourself these self-reflective questions:
· What tasks gives me energy?
· What can I not stop myself from doing?
· What am I really good at? (many people find it really hard to answer this one and/or feel boastful!)
People can get so close to themselves that they find it hard to see their talents. If this is you, try this:
· Put a chair in front of you and imagine that the person sitting in it is you. What talents do you see in the person in the chair?
External insights
· Do some personality and/or psychometric tests for new insights
· Ask for feedback from people who know you well
· Reflect on this question: “What activity is it that I am doing when people say ‘thank you’/show me appreciation?”
· Answer this question: “If I was a ‘consultant to myself’, what would I notice?”
A portfolio career is a bit like cooking. The more ingredients (talents) you have, the more recipes you can create over time for a fulfilling future-proof portfolio career. This is why it is so important to invest in your Continual Personal and Professional Development (CPD).
My portfolio career is changing all the time.
Reflection and percolation is important to give yourself time and space to allow insights to emerge. Coaching is a great way to achieve this, so is attending an event.
More
Interested in a portfolio career? Get in touch for a free no-obligation chat:
https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/
Want a career with more flexibility and a better work life balance? Our joint event with Attune Jobs sponsored by Slater and Gordon is for you.Book your ticket now, limited availability.
6-8pm Wednesday 16 October London. ‘Flex your work and future proof your career:’ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flex-your-work-and-future-proof-your-career-book-now-limited-spaces-tickets-69627260009