Ever heard the phrase “Curiosity killed the cat?” Cats are naturally curious creatures, which can sometimes lead to getting into the wrong situation. We’ve probably all been in a circumstance where we asked too many questions about something and then we wish we hadn’t. While this may be true in many cases, you just can’t ask too many questions about your career development. The more questions you ask, the better your clarity tends to be. So, if clarity is key to career development, what questions should we ask for the most beneficial plan?
Curiosity comes naturally for some people but is harder for others. Depending on your inclination, you may have to work a little harder to formulate questions to drive your journey. I naturally have an analytical brain, a science brain; I tend to ask a lot of questions on a regular basis. Coming up with questions can be easy for me, which can be fantastic at times or a bit burdensome and awkward at other times. If you are wired this way naturally, you probably know what it is like to have people frequently get annoyed with your constant questions and obvious curiosity about how things work and why. Nonetheless, let’s explore why questions about your career development will help you grow.
Where Do I Start?
First, when asking questions related to our career development, it is good to keep a few things in mind.
- Questions open new opportunities for us to think beyond our own understanding of things.
- Questions don’t dictate what’s wrong or right; they help us to think creatively about our future.
- Questions permit us to think without limitations and can spark new ideas we’ve never considered.
Next, since curiosity about how to tackle your career development is what brought you here in the first place, we should consider our goal. To have clarity about your career development is essential to moving forward in the right direction. Clarity is key; that is our goal – to have clarity.
Finally, let’s face it: thinking about your career development can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Whether you are thinking about how to grow your career, the types of career advancement to pursue, or which new skills to develop for your career, it can lead to stress. Sometimes, confusion sets in, leaving us feeling like there are no options or that we are unprepared or inexperienced to find the right path. We may even feel the opposite, like we have too many options, making us unsure of where to begin. It helps to remember that seeking clarity is key; that is, your clarity is the goal when thinking about these things. If that sounds easier than it is, let’s dive into what clarity can mean for those seeking it.
Discovering That Clarity Is Key
Clarity is what helps you see your goals clearly and move in the right direction. Clarity can often direct you to what you need or determine what you actually want. It can help you discover where to access information or connections that lead to your growth. When you have clarity, it makes mapping out career development more manageable.
Gaining clarity gives you the chance to set boundaries around your exploration and form your next steps. Seeking clarity will help you weigh your options and prioritize the opportunities you are presented with. Clarity can help you ground yourself in a foundation of your values, skills, and interests. It can enable you to center your goals and find your own version of development and advancement. You may wonder if there is a strategy to achieve clarity.
Often, when we are faced with a decision point or a pivotal moment, we look outward for answers. When it comes to work, we look outwardly even more so. We might spend time looking at job boards. Or we might use search methods with an infinite combination of words and phrases to read about different companies’ cultures and how they treat their employees. We could even find ourselves watching videos about how to ask for a raise. We may seek the advice of others we know and trust. While exploring our options is part of the journey, we need more structure to ensure it is not an endless free-for-all or a waste of our time. No one wants to wander around online, losing hours and going down rabbit holes.
The best way to achieve clarity in your career development journey is to tackle your questions head-on. You must go straight to the source for this. You will not find that source online or even in those you trust. This is because the only expert in your life is YOU. This is where curiosity and clarity meet. The answers lie within you. You have to be your #1 resource and the beginning of finding clarity.
Questions to Ask For Career Development
To get the most out of this discovery process, begin by erasing your mind of your preconceived expectations or limitations or what you can or cannot do. No idea is stupid, small, or insignificant. If you think of it, write it down. Own your process! You get to define what work, success, and advancement look like to you. Don’t forget – Clarity is Key!
What drives you the most?
What are your standards?
What are your interests and experiences?
What do I want and need “work” to do for this season of my life?
What do “success” and “career development” mean in my life?
Is my idea of success and advancement based on my needs and wants, or is it somewhat shaped by societal/familial expectations?
What impact do I want my work to have on me or the world?
What do I bring to the table that sets me apart from others?
What are my values in life and in work?
What are my dealbreakers moving forward?
What resources do I have access to for growth and advancement?
What hurdles do I have to make this decision wisely?
What growth opportunities are there in my current role?
Who can I talk to if I want to learn more about how the answers to these questions fit into real-world opportunities?
How can I give structure to my exploration/action items around career advancement to protect my physical, mental, and emotional well-being?
When you get to know yourself and understand the infinitely wonderful things you have done and are capable of, you will be more confident in yourself. Growth is about leaning into your own definition of what that looks like. So, go ahead and don’t be afraid to get plugged into the resources around you to feed your fire.
Your life means constant change. Expect no less in your career development. As you learn and grow and your season of life changes, so will your answers to these questions. We are all adaptive, responsive, and beautifully complex people with needs and goals that change over time. Embrace change, growth, and development! You will not be disappointed that you invested in yourself.
If you are curious about what that’s like but want more guidance, book a discovery call with us and learn more.
