Many professionals face a major dilemma when planning their careers. After all, they want to think about the future and know which path to take. However, they are not always completely sure of what they want to do professionally, and they end up getting stuck. So, is it possible to create a flexible and adaptable career plan that encompasses all these possibilities?
Considering that many professions are undergoing major transformations these days, and that it is increasingly common to seek a career change, it is perfectly normal to have this fear and try to take precautions. After all, no one wants to plan their future down to the smallest detail, only to later realize that it will no longer be possible, for a number of reasons.
So, if you are stuck in this impasse, we have great news. It is perfectly possible to create a career plan with flexibility and adaptability. This means that you don’t have to give up planning to keep the paths open for your professional life.
So, if you want to know more about this possibility, keep reading the text. Below, you will find valuable tips to better understand how to direct your document, as well as what actions you need to take, now and always, to keep the material up to date.
After all, a good career plan is one that is always up to date, with small or large adjustments and goals that accompany your changes throughout your career. We all change and transform ourselves every day. So why should we continue with the same career plans we had when we were young, without any reflection?
Flexible and adaptable career plan in 5 tips
1 – Learn about the Y career plan
The first step is to understand that there is a specific type of career plan for those who want flexibility. It is the Y career plan.
It follows the format of a letter: you follow a path to a certain point. From there, you can choose between two or more career possibilities that you have previously mapped out. In general, each “leg” of the Y corresponds to a generalist or specialist career. However, you can build your plan thinking about the possibilities you want.
Here, the important thing is to understand the entire journey you need to take to become a robust and complete professional. This is what will take you to the point of deciding on the next steps, which can also be fluid. After all, with all the experience acquired over the years, you will also have the opportunity to transition between possibilities.
2 – Focus on developing soft skills
Furthermore, a key point to be able to add adaptability to your plan is to strengthen your “suitcase” of behavioral skills. Regardless of your goals, having good soft skills and developing the right competencies is the key to success in any field and profession.
This happens because, nowadays, the job market has already understood that a good professional needs much more than just technical knowledge. If he or she does not know how to apply this knowledge in a practical way, with good communication, problem-solving, resilience and organization, among many other possibilities, he or she may not be so complete.
Furthermore, having good soft skills makes it much easier to “recalculate the route” and think of new paths. After all, you will already have the behaviors and mindset necessary to transform and reinvent yourself.
3 – Don’t be afraid to expose yourself to new experiences and possibilities
A very important point in this journey is to be open to new things. If you want a career plan that embraces many possibilities, you also need to be willing to explore these ideas, right?
So, keep your curiosity sharp and expose yourself to new things. Have you seen a new trend in your field? Find out more about it and see if it suits you. Did a colleague invite you to a professional event that isn’t your style, but you’ve never explored it? Go for it, or you’ll probably find out that you don’t really like the path you’re on. Did your manager suggest a new project to you? Embrace the opportunity!
4 – Don’t be afraid to change your planning at any time
By doing all this, you may feel like changing at some point. So, don’t be afraid to change your goals and plans, and make new plans for your professional life.
A career plan should not be static or written in stone. It is dynamic, just like all of our lives.
5 – Develop skills and acquire knowledge that will be fundamental for any path
Finally, know that having a good professional foundation will always be essential for the future of your career. Regardless of the path, knowledge is never too much, especially when it is up to date, and it will always be a great way to demonstrate your ability and get new opportunities.