When did you last have a good stretch?

When did you last have a good stretch?

If you're feeling a bit stuck in your career it's important to reflect on your willingness to stretch yourself. Of course I don't mean physically (although that can be important too, especially when you get to a certain age!), but in terms of stepping out of your comfort zone. You see, it's easy to become stuck in your career, possibly because we work hard to get to a level where we actually know what we're doing. Then when we get there we can metaphorically sit back and enjoy the view, but before we know it, we're in a rut.

Therefore it's important to be intentional about habitually gaining new experiences and skills. This means it's important to have a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.

A growth mindset is one which says 'failure is an opportunity to grow'. It's one which likes to try new things and is inspired by the success of others. Feedback is seen as constructive.

A fixed mindset doesn't like to be challenged and gives up when frustrated. Feedback and criticism are also taken personally.

I would hazard a guess that if you think about your greatest achievements to date, you probably stepped out of your comfort zone to your stretch zone to achieve it?

Employees often expect employers to create opportunities for them, but those who are successful will look for them themselves. And if they can't find them in their current organisation, they look elsewhere. Ultimately, new experiences will build courage and confidence for bigger and bolder opportunities further down the line.

So how can you stretch yourself where you are? Opportunities often start with a conversation. Could it be beneficial to speak to your line manager or supervisor to see what else you can get involved in? Who else could you talk to in order to get the ball rolling? You never know what doors may open as a result of a good stretch.

What Next?

If you'd like to discuss your current career situation, you can have a FREE 15 minute discussion with Mark. This is also your opportunity to find out if Mark is the right person to help you move forward. To book your session, please click here and complete the contact form. Mark will then be in touch to schedule your session.

What Our Clients Say...

Last night, we had the opportunity to have a good chat about things, and he was (I felt for the first time in a long time), upbeat about what he needs to think about and get done.

He showed me the test results which I think has given him a real confidence boost, as well as having consolidated a lot of things for him in his own mind.

And your post call summary has also had an effect, as he seems to be much more ‘in the zone’, giving him the impetus with a plan on how he gets things done.

Heartfelt thanks from me, his mum, as it has felt like quite a difficult time for all of us!

Debbie
Mark is passionate about his work and very sensitive to the needs of his clients. I was lucky to work with Mark in the international surrounding where he shared knowledge and skills regarding career counselling with the group of youth workers coming from 8 European countries.

Through his work he challenged many limiting beliefs and helped me and others to realize our potentials in a better light and get ideas for helping others do the same.

I strongly recommend Mark for any challenging task since he proved to be flexible, process oriented but also having results in mind, and the most important of all, very positive and inspiring co-worker.
Jelena
My daughter Lucie and I both gained a lot from your talk and found your approach to finding what the right path may be, very positive.

Thank you!
Cathy
Before I contacted Mark, I didn't believe that I could pursue the career I really wanted but after a few sessions it began to feel that my dreams weren't so unrealistic after all.

By the end of the course, I had the confidence to make steps towards getting the job I always wanted.
Leah Mooney
Mark was our trainer in a 7 day International Training Course on topics of youth career guidance for youth workers from 8 countries. His work is amazing - aside from providing skills for our work, he helped us to think over our lives and things we want to do. This training course and his energy gave me a new wave of enthusiasm for both - working with youth and developing myself. I hope I will have the opportunity to work with him again.
Ana
I came to Mark to gain focus and direction as I was awash with ideas and not knowing which to follow. Mark guided me through exercises which systematically drew out my interests, skills and preferences. I am now in a position to drive forward on key ideas with clear goals on what I want to achieve and how I'll know when I have. Thanks Mark!
Jim Allen
I had no clear idea of where I wanted my career to go, except that I didn’t want to carry on with what I was doing. Working with Mark has been instrumental in giving me the right questions, and gaining a good understanding of myself so that I could change direction. His sessions were well structured whilst giving sufficient freedom for different lines of enquiry. And it’s a long time since I enjoyed homework, but I really did relish the work he suggested between meetings. I would thoroughly recommend having Mark coach you through your career conundrums.
Yvette Powell
I worked with Mark during a time of huge personal transition. He gave me invaluable insight into myself, which has had a direct impact on the course of the last 6 months of my life. The coaching sessions I had with him prompted me to take action in the direction of the career and life I really want, rather than doing what I think I 'should' be doing to please other people or fit in. He also got me thinking very differently about the options available to me, which opened doors both in my mind and externally in the world. Mark has outstanding interpersonal skills, which really helped me be at ease and take risks to be completely honest in our sessions. I highly recommend him and his service.
Elloa Atkinson

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