Unconventional
strategy 4: Resist the temptation to start by making a big decision that will
change everything in one fell swoop. Use a strategy of small wins, in which
incremental gains lead you to more profound changes in the basic assumptions
that define your work and life. Accept the crooked path.
Small steps lead to
big changes, so don't waste time, energy, and money on finding the "answer" or
the "lever" that, when pushed, will have dramatic effects. Almost no one gets
change right on the first try. Forget about moving in a straight line. You will
probably have to cycle through a few times, letting what you learn inform the
next cycle. You will know that you are learning at a deeper level when you start
to question what aspects of your life apart from your job need changing.
Unconventional
strategy 5: Identify projects that can help you get a feel for a new line o f
work or style o f working. Try to do these as extracurricular activities or
parallel paths so that you can experiment seriously without making a commitment.
Think in terms of
side projects and temporary assignments, not binding decisions. Pursue these
activities seriously, but delay commitment. Slowly ascertain your enduring
values and preferences, what makes you unique in the world. Just make sure that
you vary your experiments, so that you can compare and contrast experiences
before you narrow your options.
Unconventional
strategy 6: Don't just focus on the work. Find people who are what you want to
be and who can provide support for the transition. But don't expect to find them
in your same old social circles.
Break out of your
established network. Branch out. Look for role models-people who give you
glimpses of what you might become and who are living examples of different ways
of working and living. Most of us seek to change not only what we do; we also
aspire to work with people we like and respect and with whom we enjoy spending
our precious time.
