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Copyright: The Voice

Company Goals - Set your own Don’t let your current employer’s HR department control your future success and happiness! Why should everybody plan their career? Isn’t that something for the Harvard elite and Oxbridge graduates who want to sit on boards and rule the world?
The difference between planning your career and just grabbing opportunities as they pop up is the same as being either proactive and going after a specific result, or reactive and waiting for what comes.
In my coaching-practise I’ve frequently come across highly successful people who have burned out on their way up and are surprised that they aren’t happy. What happened to them? It’s a very easy question to answer: My clients followed the goals of the company, not their own.
For example, one client ended up opening the New York branch for the company, he had the finest CV possible, but when he came back to his new position on the board he was still not happy. All he ever dreamt of was – yes, having money – but spending it on a house in the Cotswolds and on school fees for the kids. Not so much a Park Ave. and later a Chelsea flat.
So, what went wrong for him? He didn’t know when to say NO. He didn’t focus on his personal goals. He accepted opportunities because they were good – even though they weren’t necessarily good for him.
It’s always a great feeling when your boss or the HR department recognises your work and your talent; it’s so good for the ego, isn’t it? Congratulations and enjoy! But make sure you are prepared for this moment by arming yourself with a good career plan. To know now whether to accept or reject an offer, you should have decided your aims beforehand.
First: think about where you want to be in 12 months, in 5 years and in 25 years – in your private life, your working life and your ideal financial situation. Allow yourself to dream, aim high – If you aim low you won’t get high. Write these goals down, so they won’t get forgotten while you are working so hard.
Communicate these goals in interviews, appraisals and career development interviews. Make sure your current and/or future employer knows what you want, so that it can be offered to you. If nobody offers it to you, ask for it. But also make sure you are open-minded; don’t overlook fantastic opportunities on the way for which you might consider changing your goals.
Of course you’ll come across employers who won’t appreciate this kind of attitude. Ask yourself if you are happy to work for companies like these or whether you’d rather look out for corporations who appreciate ambition and honesty.
It’s never too late to take control of your career, whether you are 25, 35 or 45.
How does this feel now? Being in charge, going in your direction instead of having to be thankful for the mercy of bosses and HR people! Much better, isn’t it?
Julia Thrul 2005

Starting your own business: is it really the path to true happiness?
Apparently less than a quarter of sole traders and entrepreneurs set up their own businesses in order to make money. The main reasons given for going solo are, “to get control over my life” (60%) or to be happier (54%). Is this just a smokescreen used by ‘entrepreneurs’ because their businesses aren’t making the money they were supposed to, or are they genuinely fulfilled and in control of their lives?
Let’s assume that you have an idea (or two) already. Before investing your inheritance or redundancy into a start-up, ask yourself a few questions - and answer HONESTLY:

Does the idea of creating your own business offset the lack of free time or paid holidays for the next two or three years, and potentially even a reduced income?
Can you motivate those around you and potential investors about your ideas and vision of your enterprise?
Are you generally good with money and keeping to budget?
Are you prepared to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to you as a business owner?
Are you able to choose an alternative and see it through? Decisions such as developing and sticking to a marketing budget.
When things go wrong, do you face up to your mistakes, take responsibility and learn from the experience, or do you blame other people, the computer, the circumstances or even your horoscope?
Do you thrive in challenging conditions or do you panic?
Are you prepared to accept advice from business advisors, investors, employees, customers and suppliers or other entrepreneurs – especially when they say what you don’t want to hear?
Will you be able to think about your business objectively (keeping a clear head) instead of treating it as your baby (too emotionally involved)?
This is a long-haul commitment; are you willing to work on your entrepreneurial and leadership skills on a daily basis for the remainder of your business-owner-life?
What are your main goals and values in life? Do you already know what sort of lifestyle you want for the future and where you want to live in 20 years? How does running your own business fit into that dream?

Questions to ask the entrepreneurs you know:

What are the pro and cons of having your own business?
What advice can you give me?
With hindsight, what would you have done differently?

Listen to their advice but also gauge for yourself how successful they really are.
Before you hand in your notice, try to get some general pointers:

Go to government-funded talks and seminars for business founders - websites like the dti and BusinessLink4London provide useful insight
Look into basic business skills courses (e.g. accounting)
Think of a Plan B, in case your business doesn’t take off as quickly as planned. And if you don’t have a plan B – don’t start your business yet, unless your family is happy to feed and shelter you for the duration!!

Still keen? Sounds as if you’ve got what it takes. Your next steps should include conducting some research (including any competition) and finding a good business advisor.
Julia Thrul 2005

For more articles published by The Voice please contact me.


Articles
to download Leadership Skills Business Coaching Career Change Download FREE Adobe Reader to open these articles here	Copyright: The Voice Company Goals - Set your own Don’t let your current employer’s HR department control your future success and happiness! Why should everybody plan their career? Isn’t that something for the Harvard elite and Oxbridge graduates who want to sit on boards and rule the world? The difference between planning your career and just grabbing opportunities as they pop up is the same as being either proactive and going after a specific result, or reactive and waiting for what comes. In my coaching-practise I’ve frequently come across highly successful people who have burned out on their way up and are surprised that they aren’t happy. What happened to them? It’s a very easy question to answer: My clients followed the goals of the company, not their own. For example, one client ended up opening the New York branch for the company, he had the finest CV possible, but when he came back to his new position on the board he was still not happy. All he ever dreamt of was – yes, having money – but spending it on a house in the Cotswolds and on school fees for the kids. Not so much a Park Ave. and later a Chelsea flat. So, what went wrong for him? He didn’t know when to say NO. He didn’t focus on his personal goals. He accepted opportunities because they were good – even though they weren’t necessarily good for him. It’s always a great feeling when your boss or the HR department recognises your work and your talent; it’s so good for the ego, isn’t it? Congratulations and enjoy! But make sure you are prepared for this moment by arming yourself with a good career plan. To know now whether to accept or reject an offer, you should have decided your aims beforehand. First: think about where you want to be in 12 months, in 5 years and in 25 years – in your private life, your working life and your ideal financial situation. Allow yourself to dream, aim high – If you aim low you won’t get high. Write these goals down, so they won’t get forgotten while you are working so hard. Communicate these goals in interviews, appraisals and career development interviews. Make sure your current and/or future employer knows what you want, so that it can be offered to you. If nobody offers it to you, ask for it. But also make sure you are open-minded; don’t overlook fantastic opportunities on the way for which you might consider changing your goals. Of course you’ll come across employers who won’t appreciate this kind of attitude. Ask yourself if you are happy to work for companies like these or whether you’d rather look out for corporations who appreciate ambition and honesty. It’s never too late to take control of your career, whether you are 25, 35 or 45. How does this feel now? Being in charge, going in your direction instead of having to be thankful for the mercy of bosses and HR people! Much better, isn’t it? Julia Thrul 2005 Starting your own business: is it really the path to true happiness? Apparently less than a quarter of sole traders and entrepreneurs set up their own businesses in order to make money. The main reasons given for going solo are, “to get control over my life” (60%) or to be happier (54%). Is this just a smokescreen used by ‘entrepreneurs’ because their businesses aren’t making the money they were supposed to, or are they genuinely fulfilled and in control of their lives? Let’s assume that you have an idea (or two) already. Before investing your inheritance or redundancy into a start-up, ask yourself a few questions - and answer HONESTLY: Does the idea of creating your own business offset the lack of free time or paid holidays for the next two or three years, and potentially even a reduced income? Can you motivate those around you and potential investors about your ideas and vision of your enterprise? Are you generally good with money and keeping to budget? Are you prepared to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to you as a business owner? Are you able to choose an alternative and see it through? Decisions such as developing and sticking to a marketing budget. When things go wrong, do you face up to your mistakes, take responsibility and learn from the experience, or do you blame other people, the computer, the circumstances or even your horoscope? Do you thrive in challenging conditions or do you panic? Are you prepared to accept advice from business advisors, investors, employees, customers and suppliers or other entrepreneurs – especially when they say what you don’t want to hear? Will you be able to think about your business objectively (keeping a clear head) instead of treating it as your baby (too emotionally involved)? This is a long-haul commitment; are you willing to work on your entrepreneurial and leadership skills on a daily basis for the remainder of your business-owner-life? What are your main goals and values in life? Do you already know what sort of lifestyle you want for the future and where you want to live in 20 years? How does running your own business fit into that dream? Questions to ask the entrepreneurs you know: What are the pro and cons of having your own business? What advice can you give me? With hindsight, what would you have done differently? Listen to their advice but also gauge for yourself how successful they really are. Before you hand in your notice, try to get some general pointers: Go to government-funded talks and seminars for business founders - websites like the dti and BusinessLink4London provide useful insight Look into basic business skills courses (e.g. accounting) Think of a Plan B, in case your business doesn’t take off as quickly as planned. And if you don’t have a plan B – don’t start your business yet, unless your family is happy to feed and shelter you for the duration!! Still keen? Sounds as if you’ve got what it takes. Your next steps should include conducting some research (including any competition) and finding a good business advisor. Julia Thrul 2005 For more articles published by The Voice please contact me.