Читать книгу Reinventing You - Dorie Clark - Страница 22

Now that you have a better grasp of your current brand and the strengths and weaknesses that go along with it, it’s time to research your next move. If you already have a working theory (I want to transition from project management to sales), you can test and investigate it before diving in. And if you’re still unsure what’s next, this is your chance to spark ideas and gather new insights so you can better evaluate opportunities down the road.

One caveat is that, at this point in your reinvention, it’s often a good idea to keep a low profile. Later on, once you’ve solidified your brand, you’ll want to shout it from the rooftops (that’s how you can win clients for your new business or get a plum job offer where you can utilize your new skills). But at this early stage, you may not have a fully formed sense of where you’re going, and that uncertainty has the potential to confuse others.

As San Francisco–based executive coach Rebecca Zucker notes, “if you’re not sure what’s next, you still need to come across in a way that inspires confidence and makes other people want to help you. You can’t go out into the world lost, because no one will want to spend social capital on your behalf.” The secret, instead, is to slow down and determine where you really want to invest your energy.

In this chapter, we’ll talk about ways to crystallize your future direction. We’ll cover:

 Why you may need to take time off first

 How to conduct behind-the-scenes research

 How to win friends and not alienate people through informational interviews