Evolution - Why Checking In Matters
Several years ago, I found myself involuntarily unemployed (a nice term for fired) and to say that I was lost is a monumental understatement. What I did for a living, my career that I had worked so hard for, had become who and what I was and not just that, but it was the only thing that I was. I had no idea who I was without my job (because in hindsight, it was just that – a job) and I felt completely alone and actually fearful about my future.
As I dug deep into self-reflection - because I had nothing but time on my hands to first beat myself up and then to figure out how I had gotten here - I realized that on the surface my career and therefore my life looked like smooth sailing, but inside, I felt off-course, drifting away from the destination that I originally set out to explore in my career and, more importantly, my life. I had not married. I had not had children, I had stopped doing the things that I loved – no skiing, no biking, no hiking, no reading, no time with friends – and I had just stopped having fun. I had not paused, midstream, to make sure that my decisions and directions were in agreement with what I wanted in my life.
I asked myself tough questions: Was I headed toward what I truly wanted? Were my actions aligned with my core mission and values? It was clear that they were not and I needed a serious course correction.
I decided to take deliberate steps:
· I dusted off my goals and aspirations, revising them to reflect where I was then and where I wanted to be in the future.
· I identified new skills and knowledge areas that I needed to master to navigate the changing landscape successfully.
· Mentorship, and more importantly sponsorship, became my radar, helping me to weather turbulence and providing me clarity when my vision was clouded.
This process wasn’t a one-time deal for me and it shouldn’t be for you either. We all evolve – both our careers and our lives. We learn new things, our values morph, and the way that we want to spend our precious time changes. Regular check-ins have become my norm, at least once a year and usually once a quarter. I am happier, healthier, and much more intentional about the things that I say “yes” to and, more importantly, the things that I say “no” to. I ensure that I’m not just moving, but heading somewhere that is meaningful to me.
I share this story to encourage you to conduct your own regular check-ins. Remember to pause, reflect, and ensure that your career and life are aligned with your desired destination.
With a 36-year career in aviation and aerospace, I am on a mission to exponentially increase the number of women in leadership in these industries. If you would like to learn more about the importance of being intentional about your own evolution as strategy for your own career and life, I am holding a free webinar on March 27 that touches on this and other empowering strategies for women to in aviation and aerospace. You can find more information and register here: https://www.danakirchmar.com/events/webinar-breaking-barriers-efkbd-lfk6t
Fly safe and reflect often,
Dana