Allocating time for a Career Review

Most people underestimate the amount of time required in the planning stages for career reevaluations.
I'd go as far as to say that for some there is a need to have a "preparation to plan" stage ( see easy career change - good career choice workbook). 

The Career Review Programme we run takes a minimum of 6 hours and for some people up to 10 spread over a couple of weeks ( we don't recommend longer).

It has to be said that finding this time is probably one of the biggest challenges - even for part timers as the reason for being part time is invariably because there are other demands and responsibilities in the person's life.

Reclaiming some "me time" back can often be the very first step in career planning as without some protected time specifically allocated to the career - little is going to transpire.  This time requirement is not just to complete our programme - but in which to complete all the things that will come out of the programme. So the 3-4 hours a week for two weeks to tackle the Review is the rough time frame that will be needed but for six months or more. To join a Review without first thinking about this is folly.

Why is time for one's career so difficult to find? Firstly one is busy "doing" the career and fitting in all life's little tasks like tax returns, dentist appointments, car servicing and supermarket shops. Secondly there is a tendency to batten down the hatches (denial) and focus on whats wrong ( negative mindset)  in the career. It is common for people to either spend more time at work ( even though this is the very thing they are not happy with) or spend more time on things that are comforting ( expensive holidays, spending time with the family). Neither of these options actively make changes to the thing that is causing discomfort.

The other thing that is very common - people also wait for an inordinate level of discomfort before seeking career support. This is another "time" related issue and for another blog another day as I have run out of time!