For some people, the extended furlough of the COVID-19 pandemic meant surplus time and relaxation to assess their futures. Existing careers and potential for improvement suddenly seemed inadequate. According to Deloitte Ireland, up to 56% of Millennials and Generation Z employees in Ireland decided to make a career change in the next year or two. The ‘Great Resignation’ isn’t restricted to Ireland. It’s an attitude of mind that has become a global phenomenon. Approximately two-thirds of the world’s employees are seeking a new direction.
The Cork.ie revealed the Morgan McKinley Quarterly Employment Monitor had identified contributing factors behind changing jobs. One of the most significant was the cost of living crisis. Commercial stagnation during the pandemic has resulted in rampant inflation in most of the world’s economies. In Ireland, the level is currently at 9.2%. However, once you decide to change your career, carefully retuning your mindset is the first step towards success.
What Defines Your Mindset?
Psychological experts such as Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University have analysed what makes up a mindset. They have fixed on it being a combination of processes based on thought and behaviour. These include individual core beliefs or standards that provide the energy to fuel your enthusiasm for your career. They can also apply to your attitude towards life in general. They are often related to your upbringing. As such, they can be difficult to change.
However, Professor Dweck’s studies concluded that we each have the potential for fixed or growth mindsets. In simplistic terms, a fixed mindset is one lacking in confidence about your abilities. A growth mindset believes that through learning and training, your talents can be developed. It’s a confident belief that anything is possible.
Identify Your Mindset Aims
The Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy examines the wisdom of Aristotle. He lived from 384 to 322 BC and is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of Ancient Greece. Aristotle’s Stoic beliefs, the Four Pillars of Wisdom, are translated in today’s terms as leading a happy life.
Through developing your talents, you can achieve the components that ultimately bring a flourishing lifestyle. This includes wealth, health, and a sense of fulfilment in your career. Changing your job for one with greater potential is the starting point for your mindset aims.
Which Mindset Style do You Have?
Psychologists make it easy for you to decide which mindset you have. They have pinpointed four distinct personalities. They include Stabiliser, Analyser, Relator and Explorer. Each category has distinct characteristics that influence an individual’s attitude or mindset.
Stabiliser
This mindset can sort a myriad of facts of information into a workable structure. It’s a controlled, systematic approach that usually makes events happen.
Analyser
An analytical mindset turns to masses of data and information to provide evidence when solving problems. It’s often a reassuring approach that should provide confidence.
Relator
A relatable mindset regards connections with colleagues as a priority. In the harsh, often ruthless business environment, the relator helps everyone to feel they are making a worthwhile contribution. An Emotional Intelligence Assessment course can help develop the skills of this mindset personality.
Explorer
This attitude of mind is bold and creative. An explorer searches amongst facts and data for possibilities that are outside the acknowledged boundaries. It’s a mindset that can find solutions to impossible problems.
Combining Mindset Personality with Your Career
So far, we have seen that a growth mindset is preferable to a fixed one. It provides you with the stimulus to chase after the desirable, happy lifestyle encouraged by Aristotle’s philosophy. It doesn’t matter which particular mindset personality you appear to have. Each one has its merits and can help anyone improve their career prospects. However, some fundamental rules should help ensure you are making the most of your true potential.
Continue Learning for Life
A thirst for new information should apply to all aspects of your life. Embarking on an unfamiliar hobby can help broaden your general outlook. It can also extend your circle of friends. In your working life, finding out how you can increase your skills can open the door to even more career possibilities. A report by PwC shows that 37% of employees are concerned that automation could destroy their jobs.
It’s a fact that the workplace is changing. According to NetSuite, there has been a steady increase in automation in companies. The figure now stands at 31%. However, as technology increases, automation is likely to follow suit. Employees must be flexible. Adding to your skills can help you adapt for future success.
Artificial Intelligence
Only a few years ago, jobs that included employee attention were thought relatively safe. They included customer services, call centres and receptionists. ServiceBell has conducted an in-depth survey on chatbots. 69% of chatbots can hold full conversations with customers.
Lead generation was once thought out of automation’s range. However, up to 55% of business leads are now generated by chatbots. Learning to adapt to a new situation is the only way to maintain momentum in your career.
Every Challenge is an Opportunity
Knowing how to use your mindset and personality to their best advantage is an effective way to meet the challenges of the future. For example, an explorer should use creativity to combat the limited automated procedures of chatbots and Artificial Intelligence.
According to PwC, 73% of employees believe automation does not have the power to replicate the human brain. Cultivate your skills and become as indispensable as automated technology.
Improve Your Career at any Age
It’s not just Generation Z employees, born from 1997 onwards, that have a future career. Millennials are only now entering their forties. Senior management posts could easily be the aim of Generation X employees who are currently up to the age of fifty-four.
It has to be remembered that retirement ages are continually being increased. Workers in Ireland retire at sixty-six, although there are plans to increase the limit to sixty-eight years of age by 2028.
Due to the cost of living crisis, many people have no choice but to continue working just to make ends meet. Career guidance for adults can help older employees cope with the demands of a changing workplace.
Purpose and Direction
According to Irish News, there were 5,780 job losses in 2021. The distress caused by losing a job can rob anyone of their sense of direction. It also impacts self-esteem, and the ability to meet household expenditures. Taking steps to counteract the negativity is vital if you are to reclaim your role in the workplace.
Interview coaching can help you perform well when applying for a new job. You also need to act fast to maintain a sense of purpose in your life. Retraining for a different type of work is often the key to restarting a career.
Developing the Best Mindset
Your future career may be long or short, but for the greatest chance of success, you need to cultivate a positive mindset. Career coaching with a business professional can help you identify your strengths relating to workplace skills. Being able to focus on the type of work you are most engaged with can help you make significant progress in a relatively fast timeframe.
An important aspect of coaching is that you receive feedback on how you are dealing with the pressures of work. It saves wasting time and effort on pursuing the wrong career direction. It’s a positive approach that helps improve self-esteem, confidence and determination.
Conclusion
Careers are continually under threat from issues such as economic forces and increased automation. Competition for jobs is fierce with new workers being available as each year passes. Making the most of a growth mindset, cultivating positive enthusiasm and learning new skills is essential in retaining your place in today’s workforce.
Identifying your mindset and personality and finding the best direction for your career are important steps. Contact H-Training today and we can talk you through any of the services that you might be interested in. Book now on our booking page.
