As you face increasing demands and new challenges in a constantly evolving business landscape, navigating career coaching has indeed moved from “optional” to “must do”.
In this article, you’ll learn the theory behind self-coaching so that you can become your own career coach. From the Ikigai Method to failure and success loops, we'll give you the tools you need to actively control your career development and make yourself more marketable as an independent consultant.
Having a sounding board to discuss career choices, career paths, competencies, and obstacles can be a game-changer. Fortunately, there are ways to self-coach that are just as effective.
Self-coaching involves taking time away from your day-to-day job and activities to reflect on what you want or need from your career. It can involve potentially solving a career issue, navigating a new landscape, improving core competencies, etc. Exactly how self-coaching will be applied is different for everyone since each individual is unique. The biggest hurdle to self-coaching is not time but discipline. It’s important that you hold yourself accountable and also invest in the right tools and methodologies that can help you to self-coach.
Self-coaching is only going to grow in importance. In the midst of a digital revolution, the market and your personal value proposition within this market are constantly changing. According to research, the global machine-learning market is expected to reach $20.83 billion in 2024. Additionally, AI is expected to replace around 85 million jobs in the US by 2025. Simply put, what works for you today is unlikely to work for you tomorrow. The sooner you figure out what will work, the more success you’ll have.
The truth is that something you did only three months ago may no longer be applicable. How can you position yourself differently to meet current demand? How can you consider your value and what you bring to clients? To remain competitive, you must take stock of not only your own skill sets but how they relate to the needs of the broader world.
While there is no firm process for effective self-coaching, over the past 15 years of my own career transitions and later for my coaching clients, I’ve tested and selected the best tools and practices to set you up for success.
1) Start by determining your own skill set. It’s important to narrow down not only what you enjoy and are good at but also what is marketable and necessary. I like to use a framework that was created in Japan called the Ikigai method.
It’s a tool for self-reflection and involves understanding the intersections between your profession, your vocation, your mission, and your passion.
Using this framework, you can define what you enjoy doing and apply that skill set to business needs. It’s the goal of almost everyone to be paid for what they love to do. This is the ideal position most independent consultants seek - but it’s only possible through this sort of self-reflection and understanding of the market you’re operating within. Which competencies are necessary within this sweet spot that you don’t currently have? Then, you can determine the training or other tools necessary to bridge that gap impactfully.
2) Set measurable goals. Action is a critical component of self-coaching. It’s not enough to know what you should do - you need to actually create forward motion. Following your self-reflection, you should compile a list of goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, results-oriented, and timely. Many people set goals but do not take the time to make them SMART goals. Having such specific outcomes in mind is important for achieving your larger objectives. Break broader goals down into smaller, more manageable items that you can tackle. I suggest starting with no more than 5 goals at one time. Otherwise, you risk being overwhelmed.
Related to this step is what I like to call the Failure and Success Loop. This concept describes the cycle of experiencing failures and successes in various aspects of life (though here we are talking specifically about careers). Many people don’t take action because they are afraid of failure. As a result, they end up in a perpetual loop of inaction and low motivation - which can lead to more failure. On the other hand, those who take frequent action tend to learn more and maintain a growth mindset, even when things don’t go according to plan. In this way, they can optimize their course of action and continue growing, which leads to more success.
The bottom line is that many people maintain inaction because they are risk-averse. In reality, choosing not to act is its own choice - leading to failure more often than success.
3) Conduct self-reflection. Ideally, you have set up around 5 goals to start with. Following the period of time that you set for your goals, take stock of where you are and what actions are required. Here is where you will choose either the failure loop or the success loop. Have you started acting through small steps? Have you achieved your intermediate goals? Have you reached your expected results? If not, what did you learn, and how can you adapt your course of action? If so, how can it help you build your self-esteem, and what is your next step?
Commit to yourself to remain accountable and motivated, and see setbacks as a temporary but necessary step toward your desired outcome. It helps to have an accountability partner - perhaps an online group that you communicate with or a mentor who you can share your reflections with.
Use these tips and tools to become more proactive in your own career journey. If a career coach isn’t a realistic option at the moment, becoming your own self-coach can and should be a priority. For more advice on making the most of your independent consultant career, follow Malt Strategy on LinkedIn, where we share a wide variety of insights, trends, and thought leadership to help you succeed in a rapidly changing working environment.
