I’ve observed over the past 12 months a recurring phenomenon with my executive clients. We discuss their career aspirations and agree on completing our collaboration in 2 weeks. The sobering statistic is that the two-week completion time seldom transpires. While people are interested in advancing in their careers, finding a job, or moving on, they aren’t making themselves a priority even after engaging with me.
Client Analysis
You might question if this is related to my management capability, or is it my client’s prioritization? I’ve found it’s the latter since the sooner I complete the work, the more efficiently I can move on to collaborating with others. Time is money for both parties. Analytical by nature, I monitor my customer life cycle from the initial proposal to completion.
- Average collaboration: 28 days with wild variations from a minimum of 11 days to the extreme of 93 days
- Gender difference: Females tend to take longer with an average of 41 days which is perplexing since once I decide on a path, it becomes priority #1
- Personalities: No known correlation since I’ve had arrogant as well as kind clients taking three months to complete the collaboration
Why Don’t You Prioritize?
Clients tell me they want to determine the next step in their career, whether it’s to remain at their current company or venture to another. Yet, the reason they don’t complete tasks within two weeks fall within the following buckets:
- Business meeting conflicts
- Business travel
- Children’s activities
- Family vacation
- Life interrupted
- Self-doubt
- Writer’s block
Being lazy doesn’t factor into the equation since most of my clients are technology executives. It’s ironic since most have agile methodology backgrounds and are focused on successful business outcomes. They are placing work in front of their success. Fascinating.
Perspective from Harvard Business
According to an article written by the late Professor Clayton M. Christensen at Harvard Business School, “Your decisions about allocating your personal time, energy, and talent ultimately shape your life’s strategy.” Further on in the article he notes, “When people who have a high need for achievement—and that includes all Harvard Business School graduates—have an extra half hour of time or an extra ounce of energy, they’ll unconsciously allocate it to activities that yield the most tangible accomplishments.” Guess what? That tends to be an immediate accomplishment vs. putting in the work for a longer-term outcome.
How to Put Yourself First?
Here are some activities that have worked for me while I was searching for a new job opportunity.
- Find a Mentor: Nothing will keep you in check more than finding a mentor to discuss priorities and create an action plan for your career. Last year I was having lunch with a friend that was frustrated about her consulting business. In January, we sat down for three hours to build a draft business plan and, in a subsequent call, came up with a 30-day action plan for her success.
- Hire a Coach: LinkedIn Profinder is a free service that allows you to obtain five proposals for career coaching with zero commitment based upon your needs. Submit a request, and within less than 24 hours, you will receive an array of options.
- Make Daily Appointments: Carve out one hour daily to focus on yourself for your next career. When I went through a job transition, I blocked out time on my calendar daily from 3:00-4:00 to search for jobs, network via phone or email, and apply for jobs. Yes, every day for one hour. It’s committing to yourself.
- Maximize Travel Airtime: Use the airplane time to knock out personal tasks. For example, at the end of January, I flew from Seattle to Buenos Aires for a month-long sojourn. During the 12-hour segment from LAX to EZE airport, I managed to read five chapters of a book, watch two movies, gaze at despicable airline food, take somewhat of a nap, and complete a resume draft.
- Overcome Writer’s Block: I ask my clients to fill out a three-page questionnaire. There is a hesitancy since they want to be “perfect” in responding. Go for 80% and call it done.
- Work Out Your Body & Mind: As part of my daily regimen, I walk for one hour daily or work out at the gym on the elliptical, rowing machine or treadmill. I have simultaneously learned languages, prepared speeches, and determined career strategies.
It’s a new year with one month accrued, do you love your job? If not, it might be time to make yourself a priority.
Here’s to landing your dream job, you deserve it!
