The Power of a Wave, How We Experience It, and Why it Relates to Career Management
Viewers of my posts and website often ask me questions about the “wave” brand imagery and language I use including my logo, “Ride Your Career Success Wave” tagline, colors, and other graphics.
The wave integration with Empowered Results with KAT branding is intentional for two reasons: 1) The ocean is a huge part of my life; living near it, vacationing at or on it, sitting next to it…. it makes me happy and its place in my existence plays a role in who I am as a person and therefore as a coach; and 2) Waves are a perfect metaphor for change of all types – including career changes and evolutions.
Every wave is different, yet the constant is that every wave symbolizes a change – change in tide, change in weather, constant movement (the water washing up to the shore is never in the same place twice.)
Here’s the thing:
Waves are continuous; they never stop, and you can’t stop them. It’s the same with change.
But how does this all relate to career management, and more specifically, to career transitions / evolutions?
Two thoughts come to mind:
1) What is the impetus for wanting something different from your career? Most actions or reactions start with an impetus. Waves are generated by different events – wind, boating activity, atmospheric activity and the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. Career evolution is also sparked by any number of events, including:
A promotion or other role or job change
Return to the workplace after being a stay at home parent
Deliberate decision to switch gears due to desire for more growth / challenge, boredom or other signs of dissatisfaction with one’s job, role or chosen path
Desire to start one’s own business
Organizational layoffs or furloughs
2) How does actively managing your career FEEL? Even though waves are waves, the way in which we experience them varies depending on the situation. The same can be said about pro-active career management in that depending on the impetus – and more importantly, depending on your reaction to that impetus – your experience can be empowering, positive and maybe even life-changing. A few analogies to help make the connection:
Powerful vs Calming – Think about this one as the difference between a tsunami and a ripple on the water; one is downright terrifying and destructive while the other is quiet, inspiring reflection, slow and peaceful. Career shifts can be a combination of both; though the way you choose to frame it can shift the tide one way or the other (p.s. see what I did there?)
Breaking vs Rolling – One of these waves is crashing, it is loud and can be overpowering if caught up in it; while the other is just happening in an almost methodical, serene, and synchronized/ aligned kind of way. Again, an evolving career may be a little bit of both depending on what instigated it; what you DO with the it, the time you spend reflecting on it, is what dictates how you experience it.
If you have ever or are now experiencing a desire of need to shift in your career, what’s been YOUR impetus? How does that experience feel to you; is that wave pulling you under or are you riding it like a Malibu surfer? Inquiring minds want to know so please engage!
To chat about change – career or otherwise! – check out what it’s like to work with me by exploring my site further, booking a complimentary call, or reaching out at empoweredresultswithkat@katresults.com .
#careercoaching #careermanagement #change #empowered #transitions