In media, the only constant is change. But if you thought television, radio, podcasting, and social media were dynamic in the past, even bigger changes will be coming faster than ever in the future.
Is it even possible to set realistic goals while the earth keeps moving under your feet? Here are five tips that may help you roll with the punches without getting knocked off your career ladder.
- General goals instead of specific ones. In the 1990s, one radio executive spoke proudly of no other career plan outside of radio. That myopic career focus worked for a time but now leaves them pigeonholed with little way out of a declining industry. Think of your career as improv. No one can predict the future. Allow things to happen naturally. Oprah Winfrey began as a teenage news anchor on WVOL AM in Nashville. Who could have ever anticipated or planned the amazing career that lay ahead for her?
- Imagine your future self. When actor Matthew McConaughey was a boy, he told people his role model was “Me, in ten years.” Visualizing the person you wish to be in the future instead of the job you want to hold is an effective tactic for growth, according to psychologist Daniel Gilbert. Gilbert suggests investing in the person you wish to evolve into being, telling others about your goal, and measuring success with intention along the way.
- Curiosity is your friend; comfort your enemy. The saying goes, “Blessed are the flexible, for they never get bent out of shape.” The problem is that, as humans, we naturally seek out comfortable routines. Remember learning to drive a car for the first time? Your brain quickly combines those complex tasks into a coordinated, almost auto-pilot rhythm. Now, imagine how uncomfortable it would feel to move your steering wheel, shifter, and pedals to the other side of the car. My British friends accustomed to driving a stick shift with their left hand tell me that shifting with their right in America feels nearly impossible. Think of future change in your career in that way. Seeking out situations, roles, and tasks that make you slightly – or sometimes very — uncomfortable keeps you mentally sharp and creatively flexible.
- Course correction through measurement. Some successful stand-up comedians listen to recordings of their shows with a stopwatch and time audience laughter. They evolve when they notice a trend of people laughing more or less at certain material. In your career, keep an eye on indicators that guide your direction. Listen carefully to feedback. Gather metrics from Nielsen, digital engagement, and be aware of industry news and trends.
- Seek support. To explore possible new career paths, network with people who you can learn from. Consider creating your own “board of directors.” This might include coaches, mentors, instructors, and counselors who can guide you. You might also consider how to get personal support — baby sitter, lawn care, meal service, or personal trainer — who can keep your life less stressful and your physical and mental self in top form.