One of the most powerful ways that my clients move forward with job search is through what I call Boot Camp.
Boot Campers take a hard look at their career situation. Boot Campers make decisions about how they want to change that picture, and what tools will be needed to make that change. Boot Campers ask meaningful questions about how to be successful, how to create that change, and how to adapt their day-to-day to a new paradigm.
Boot Camp is all-encompassing, a little messy, and although simple, not necessarily easy.
And watching this video of Seth Godin today, I have new understanding of why it works for people.
Seth talks about the Lizard Brain, the part of our psyche that keeps us from moving forward, that questions our decisions — the fear part.
In job seekers, it’s the voice that chimes in every day asking you if you’re really doing what you should be to be successful. It points out imperfections in your resume, causes anxiety when it can’t reconcile conflicting advice, and keeps you from heading out to a networking event. It’s the thing that creates the top obstacle to job search success — wavering confidence.
One strategy that Seth shares to quiet the Lizard Brain and keep yourself confidently moving forward is to “thrash at the beginning.” In other words, do all your experimenting, criticism, questioning and struggling with what you want to achieve early on, when it’s cheap, rather than just before you’re scheduled to ship, when thrashing has a much higher cost.
Boot Camp is this structured thrashing. It’s about experimenting, discussing, weighing, before ultimately deciding on and committing to a plan.
By allowing yourself the time and space to thrash early on, when you’ve committed to a course of action the Lizard Brain is quieter. After all, it’s had its say.
Watch the video to learn more about how this crisis of confidence undermines our success, and how to change your thinking.
Some questions to consider:
- How does the Lizard Brain manifest itself in your work? What is the impact on your results?
- What are you putting off because the Lizard Brain is getting in your way?
- How might “thrashing at the beginning” look for you?
- How can you create a commitment to yourself to thrash at the beginning, and commit to ship?
Hat tip, Hajj Flemings.
Related posts:
- Taking the first step towards excellence
- Are you the phoenix? Coping with career challenges
- How to boost your confidence in 10 seconds, 10 minutes and 10 days
- 5 things you can do right now to get out of your productivity hole
- Networking with confidence: You cannot fail
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