The Breadwinner Mom

We've gotten used to "upgrades" in the world of technology. We expect our software, hardware, and web applications to be regularly updated, and for good reason.  We like when things work better than they did before.  

When it comes to ourselves and our careers, we tend not to think in these terms.  Most of the progress we make is gradual - we learn things on the job, get better at what we do, and become more valuable as employees or partners.  

But sometimes gradual progress isn't enough.  Something happens - you get laid off, you graduate from college, you decide to start a new business - and suddenly you're in the midst of a major transition.  

In those cases, if your old self isn't quite up to the challenges of your new situation, you may need an upgrade.      

I've been through a few of these (in fact I'm going through one as we speak) and they're not easy.  But with the right attitude, a personal "upgrade" can be fun - a chance to challenge yourself, learn new things, and become something more than you were before.

Here's how to get it done:

1.  Identify the key traits you need to succeed in your new situation.  Look around you.  There are others who are already succeeding in a situation similar to yours.  What do they have in common?  What do they know that you don't know?  What are the most important skills they've acquired?  Start a list and add to it as necessary.  

2.  Assess your skills.  Now that you have a good sense for the skills and characteristics you need to succeed in your new role, it's time to look inward.  What skills do you already have that you can use going forward?  These may not be immediately obvious, but spend some time thinking about how you can apply what you already know to your new area of expertise.  For an example, if you are a trial attorney leaving the practice of law to go into sales, you can apply what you know about the art of persuasion to your new position.    

3.  Analyze your weaknesses.  If you've completed the first two steps, you're ready to start figuring out where you need to improve.  What are your weaknesses (or "areas for improvement," if you're into positive thinking)?  If you're not sure, ask someone - just make sure it's not your new boss, business partner, or potential clients.  

4.  Learn as much as you can.  This is the most important step.  It's crucial not to let your ego stand in the way when it comes to your ongoing education.  If you need to take a class or an unpaid internship, do it.  If you can find a mentor (lucky you!), soak up all the knowledge he or she is willing to share.  Read books on the subject.  Subscribe to any relevant trade publications.  Find the most informative blogs on your subject and read them as often as you can.  In short, take your mindset back to that of a student and learn, learn, learn!

5.  Practice.  No matter how much you read or study, no matter how much wisdom your mentor imparts, your upgrade won't be complete until you practice your new skills.  Don't let fear keep you from trying, and don't worry about being embarrassed.  Just go for it.  Get as much constructive criticism as you can, and then practice some more.  Remind yourself that there are always a few bugs that need to be fixed before that software upgrade is ready to go public.  The same thing holds true for you.  

Obviously these five steps are general guidelines, and self-improvement is never easy.  But if you're determined to get where you need to go, you'll get there.

What do you think?  Do you have any wisdom to share or questions about making one of these big transitions?  Please share in the comments! And if you haven't already, subscribe to The Breadwinner Mom!

photo credit: zone41