A career box is a complex construction filled with your past experiences, societal messages, real obstacles, and dreams for your future. It can be an incubator or a trap.

Self-help experts like to frame the boxes we put ourselves in as purely negative. I think this is simplistic and unfair. When you contemplate stepping into a new career, you face real concerns and possible failure.

That said, opening your career box and inspecting the contents is a good idea.

Your Past
Start with beliefs about yourself from the past. Don't wander too far, digging a self-analysis pit. Just think about who you have been most recently, your role or job, and its impact on you. Thank your recent past for its contributions and heal any wounds or resentments.

Your past is known and familiar. In some cases, you might refer to your past as comfortable. You might stay with the known career path, worried that changes might be overwhelming or unsuccessful. You will have some good days and some bad days. Over time, you get stronger, and more able to look at forward motion as both positive and possible.

Your Present
Who are you today? What support systems do you have in place? How well are you taking care of yourself? A solid self-check is essential to your ability to make successful decisions about your life. Be sure to balance your self-refection, including all the positives in your life along with any obstacles. Chances are, you have some assets you can leverage.

Your Future
Clarity about your best career future is built on a solid understanding of your past and present. If you don't look at the whole picture, you will be held back by subtle self-limiting beliefs or lingering anxiety. Fear diminishes when you look at it unflinchingly.

Now start to dream. Who do you want to become? How do you want to feel about the new you? What possibilities exist that you were unaware of or not exploring because your box walls were shrouding your view?

Build a rich narrative for the next chapter in your career. Fill it with as much joy and fulfillment as possible. The story is yours to create.



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