Finding Your Best Job Ever: Insights from Dr. C.K. Bray - safquest.com

 

Finding Your Best Job Ever: Insights from Dr. C.K. Bray

At some point in life, many people try to introduce changes—like quitting alcohol—but fail to stick with their plans. Statistics on New Year’s Resolutions reveal that only 6% of people succeed. Change isn’t impossible, but it requires a systematic blend of short- and long-term thinking. In Best Job Ever by Dr. C.K. Bray, the author provides a roadmap for planning a successful career change by breaking down barriers, managing fears, and leveraging relationships. Here’s how you can find a job that brings balance and satisfaction.

Planning Out Success

If you’re considering a career change, Dr. Bray suggests a structured approach:

1. Create a Timeline with Three Columns: Label them "One Year," "Three Years," and "Five Years."
2. Define Your Ideal Situation: In each column, write your ideal scenario for that period. This could relate to work, health, or relationships.
3. Fill in the Details: If the change involves your career, specify your preferred job type, salary, education, or skills needed. For example, if you’re aiming for a role in the sciences, note the qualifications required.
4. Set a Start and End Point: Map out where you are now and where you’d love to be. This process helps articulate your goals on paper, reduces fears, and provides clarity on the steps needed to achieve your dream job over the next five years.

A careful scheduling process will help you acquire the training or skills necessary to reach your target. By setting achievable goals, you’ll reduce the fear of significant change and empower yourself to succeed. Correct planning is critical—only 20% of people set goals for their target, and about 30% of those succeed.

Try Before You Buy

Before committing to a new career, test the waters:

• Explore different roles by visiting supermarkets or job markets to try new opportunities without immediate commitment.
• Research the job’s details—what it entails, the information needed, and its impact on your career prospects.
• If you’re considering staying within your company, request to work one day per week in the new position on a trial basis.
• For external roles, many companies offer opportunities to try the job for a few weeks to determine if it’s a good fit. You can also take a second job or enroll in training for a field that interests you while discussing possibilities with others.

Before starting your journey, arm yourself with the right tools:

• Plan Finances: Ensure you have a financial contingency plan in case things go wrong. Calculate what you’ll need for the transition period and save for potential contingencies.
• Prepare Mentally: A career change may not be easy at first, but it gets easier with time. Don’t worry about initial challenges.
• Switch for the Right Reasons: Consider the pros and cons of the new position. If it offers less money, understand the consequences, such as moving to a cheaper apartment.
• Test the Fit: Try out a role before leaving your current job. Think of it like trying on jeans—you can’t tell if they’ll fit until you try them.

Some people regret changing positions because they didn’t know what their new team or company culture would be like. These factors may seem minor initially but can become critical over time.

Breaking Bad with the Barriers

Understanding and overcoming career barriers is pivotal for success. You must identify and confront two types of barriers:

• External Barriers: These stem from circumstances beyond your control, like a lack of qualifications, harmful work environments, or unsupportive coworkers. For instance, a lack of certification can block a promotion.
• Internal Barriers: These originate from within, such as a lack of focus, comfort zone paralysis, unrealistic expectations, and self-doubt. Personal demons—like feelings of inadequacy or stress—can amplify these challenges.

To overcome these barriers, follow a three-step process:

1. Detach from the Emotional Weight: View the obstacle objectively rather than through the lens of personal feelings. For example, dealing with emotions in meetings can turn a potential barrier into a stepping stone.
2. Reframe the Perception: See the barrier as an impediment to growth rather than a catastrophe. This shift opens up new opportunities.
3. Act on the Problem: Preparation and waiting for the right moment are key. Boldly address obstacles—the barrier can initiate momentum and change.

Overcoming barriers requires both introspection and action. It’s a clear-eyed assessment of the hurdles in your path and a committed effort to navigate them, equipping you with the resilience needed for sustained success.

The Work Isn’t the Problem—Fear Is

Fear often holds people back from career changes. Thoughts like “You’ll definitely fail” or “You can’t do it” stem from doubts. To overcome fear:

• List Your Unknowns: Write down fears, such as not finding a job quickly or struggling in a new company.
• Address Each Fear: For instance, if you’re afraid of changing careers due to financial risk, you might write, “I’m afraid of changing careers, as I might spend the next few months without an income. Despite this risk, I can change careers because I have savings.”
• Define the Change: Many people make drastic career changes when a simple adjustment would suffice. Ask questions like, “Do I like the place and coworkers?” and “Am I being treated well compared to others in my position?” to decide if you should change companies, departments, or careers entirely.

Writing down your worries and solutions helps identify legitimate fears, develop an action plan, and reduce anxiety.

The Myth of Jobcation

The cliché “Find a job you like, and you’ll never work a day in your life” sets unrealistic expectations. Work is called “work” for a reason. When asked about their dream job, people often say things like, “A job that doubles my money” or “A job where I can work from anywhere.” These expectations are as likely as winning the lottery.

While some chase luxurious jobs, others take any offer just to escape their current role, even if they love the field. The real issue isn’t the work—it’s factors like salaries, coworkers, office politics, and bosses. Small, consistent steps can help you find a better place, bringing balance and satisfaction to your current work. Work should feel like a game to enjoy, not a prison to escape.

People Are the Bridge to Success

Companies leverage human resources to create wealth, but your most valuable resource is your family and friends. They can help you attain your goals. Networking offers natural benefits:

• Stay in Touch: Attend events or meet with someone at least three times a year. A simple email can keep the connection alive.
• Be Appreciative: If meeting new people feels daunting, prepare a question in advance, like asking about their career or profession.

When you hear interesting replies, share relevant details about yourself. The goal isn’t to seal a deal but to create a lasting impression through brief conversations. Follow up with an email or call to learn more about them and provide more details about you.

Building bridges can be challenging initially, but positive connections yield results over time. Share your values and principles with friends and acquaintances who hold similar beliefs.

Conclusion

Some argue that temporary jobs are becoming more permanent, with many people applying for short-term positions and staying for years. Others pursue jobs based on their education, only to find the work itself unfulfilling. Switching jobs often feels scarier than staying due to uncertainty, but with the right approach, you can make a change that aligns with your goals.

You don’t have to abandon your dream of becoming a decorator or actor for mundane work. While you may dream of a specific profession, someone else might dream of your current job. Let others do your work while you pursue what you’re destined for. With careful planning, small steps, and the right support, you can find your best job ever.