Whether you’re a long-time staffer or young professional, there’s never been a better time to have a candid talk with yourself. The current economic decline presents an opportunity - or perhaps necessity - to reassess your professional situation, talents, passion and align them with where you, your profession and the market are going.
One of the most productive exercises may be a “tough love” conversation with yourself. Beginning with what you really love to do, what you really do best - no BS allowed - and if your current employer will, either now or in the near future, permit you to experience satisfaction and real success.
Aligning these with your best sense of what the industry conditions and opportunities really are; and where you are in your career trajectory are keys to this introspective dialogue. The fact is, virtually every aspect of the communications profession has seen accelerated change that approach a mind-bending rate. After all, where was Twitter two years ago - and it's now considered the norm.
Timing is another consideration. Let’s face it, some have decades of contributions ahead; others have more runway behind us than in front, and most are somewhere in between. Regardless of longevity, will you be marketable in an increasingly competitive and kalideoscopic arena?
Perhaps some people and organizations have come to the conclusion that it's time to get in touch with today's realities, and that’s why we've seen the recent uptick in mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances – perhaps there were more than a few “candid discussions” inside businesses that brought them to their decisions. We suspect that a number of business owners are asking themselves: “Do we have the capital to ride out the economic meltdown? Are we able to embrace the assault of changes impacting our profession?
However, the bottom line for both people and organizations is the same: What do we have to offer and is there still a market for what we do now and, more importantly, what do we want - and need - to do in the future?”