“Work doesn’t have to be grim. We can do better. We all want the chance to express the very best of ourselves and to be challenged to keep reaching for more. Our time at work affords us this chance – not the only chance but given we’re there 40-50 hours per week, it’s one of the best.” – Marcus Buckingham, co-author of “Now Discover Your Strengths."

The average person is likely to change jobs 10-14 times over the course of his or her working life, according to the Department of Labor. It’s not an option but essential, therefore, that we all develop the tools and techniques to manage our careers so we can recognize and seize opportunities, carve out our place and know when to change course, and keep ourselves engaged and productive for what may be a 50 year working life. We must, in fact, become the CEO of our own careers.

The start of a new year is a great time to implement some new techniques to re-energize and proactively manage your career. Here are some tools and techniques for your consideration:

• Have your basic tool kit ready – Craft an up-to-date resume that focuses on accomplishments, not responsibilities. Sharpen your interviewing skills by being prepared to talk about your accomplishments, describing the challenge you faced, the actions you took and the results that were achieved. Have your story ready to tell in under a minute, including what you do, how you contribute and what you want to do next. Know what’s going on in the companies and fields that are of interest to you.

• Be a master networker - Have a systematic process for staying in touch regularly.  Don’t discount anyone – you never know who knows someone you want to know. Be a giver and a connector, not just a taker. Shift connections, finding new peer groups and role models as career goals change.

• Know who you are not just what you do – Analyze your accomplishments to learn more about your strengths, skills, accomplishments, values, style, motivations, interests. Which of your current business activities bring you the most satisfaction? Which energize you the most? In what areas are you most eager to learn and grow? In what areas are you not merely good but excellent? List 20 things that make you good at your job and cross off the things you hate doing. Take an assessment and work with a coach to interpret the results.

• Know what you want to do next - This critical path decision will drive very different activities so the sooner you know the better. It will enable you to determine the skills that are needed and start training, to seek out certain assignments and turn down others, to find a mentor, craft experiments, target and research companies. Have a work- life vision that looks out 3-5 years and includes the kind of work you hope to be doing, the kind of company and its culture, location, level of responsibility, who are you working with, other important relationships, what you’re accomplishing, how you’re involved in your community, and what other activities you’re enjoying. What one goal if achieved would help you most to realize this vision? What one additional skill? What are 10 core competencies you will need to be in top 10% of your chosen field in 3-5 years? What action, therefore, will you commit to in 2008 to move you towards this vision?

• Practice self-care - Maintain excellent physical, mental, emotional, and financial health so you can be bold, spirited, energetic and confident. Have outside interests. Do something you love at least once per week. Dress for success and be aware of the impression you’re making.

• Consider renovating rather than tearing it down – If there are still satisfactions and challenges in your current job, consider trying to improve the areas of frustration rather than walking away. Set firmer boundaries, say no, and negotiate for the balance and flexibility you want. Have outside interests and have a job that leaves room to pursue these passions. Escape your pigeonhole by seeking new projects, developing a personal brand by becoming known for something (such as, leading change), training your successor. Model how it should be rather than complaining about how it isn’t. Restructure at the edges by knowing yourself and how you can make the greatest contribution and then make changes to the way work is structured, the nature of relationships, the kind of results to expect, the time frames.

• Know when it’s time to walk away and do it – If you’ve had the same complaints for over a year; can’t separate work and life; are no longer selected for key assignments or promotions or are getting mostly negative feedback; are no longer learning, contributing, or growing; have low energy, are ill, hopeless or depressed; if your values and the organization’s values are not in sync; if you’re working with your strengths but not your values-it’s time for a change.

• Craft experiments before taking the leap – As Herminia Ibarra suggests in her book Working Identity, craft experiments to test a new career option before making the change. Try out your new choice with free-lance projects, moonlighting, temp or contract work, volunteering, classes, informational interviews, job shadowing, attending a conference/seminar/professional meeting.

• Know the truths of career change success - Understand that career change is not a straight path and can take 1-3 years. Keep your day job or have financial staying power. Be prepared for the discomfort of change. Accept that there will be trade-offs. Have a support group. Stay focused and be ready to do the work. Take the first step and keep taking small steps consistently. Be patient. Stay committed.

• Beware the Gremlins – Watch out for those voices in your head that say “you’ll fail; you’re too old; you should stick with what’s safe; what will your friends and family say”. Face your fears; contradict them with reassuring information, objective truths or positive experiences. Trust your own voice and your dreams.

• Change your paradigms – If you make a job or career change, understand that you must make an internal realignment or you will wind up in the same place. Know the answers to these questions: What does my new career require of me? How do I need to work differently or stretch myself in new directions? What relationships do I want and need to make? What old habits would I like to change? Look for a way to have an early success or big impact.

Commit to implementing some of these techniques in 2008 and you’ll be putting yourself on the path to amazing career success! If we can help you in your journey, please contact Marcella Nelson at Breakthrough Coaching and Consulting, 508-758-9938, marcella@coachbreakthrough.com, www.coachbreakthrough.com .

Marcella Nelson

Marcella Nelson is the president of Breakthrough Coaching and Consulting, which provides leadership and career coaching, organizational consulting and training services to corporate and individual clients. She works with leaders, teams, and professionals to remove barriers to success and accelerate the achievement of business and career goals. Marcella’s mission is to help people to have successful careers and companies to have successful employees.

Prior to founding Breakthrough, Marcella was an accomplished Human Resources executive with over 20 years experience in a variety of industries, including on-line information services, high tech, manufacturing and health care.

Marcella is a graduate of Smith College, has completed the Strategic Human Resource Management program at the Harvard Business School, MBA coursework at Babson College, and is a certified graduate of Corporate Coach University. She is a member of the national and New England chapters of the International Coach Federation and of the Society for Human Resource Management. Marcella is also a featured speaker and workshop leader on career, leadership, teamwork, and performance enhancement topics for organizations such as Bryant University, Northeast Human Resources Association, University of Massachusetts, Leading Women, Learning Connection, Southeastern Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce, and many other professional organizations, corporations and non-profits.

Visit Marcella's website at: http://www.coachbreakthrough.com

View all articles by Marcella Nelson