Looking Ahead

blouse: Buffalo Exchange

blazer: Sam's Club

jeggings: Discount Fashion Warehouse (Express brand)

shoes: Target

While this is a space obviously has a focus on clothes, there’s times I treat it like a journal. A little “deep thoughts by Jess” from time to time if you will. :) And today is one of those days. I attended a seminar recently at work that focused on how to lead effective organizational change. I won’t get into the details of what the speaker said, but the session really made me realize that I am completely content with where I am now professionally. It’s comfortable and I like it. But I realize I don’t even have a vision for what I want my future to look like. And that’s starting to terrify me…

I’ve always struggled with looking ahead. I’m not much of a goal setter and in college I was that student who waited until their junior year to actually declare their major, then freaked out 2 terms later and declared a secondary major as well. But before I decided to get really disappointed in myself, I had a thought – what if this idea of my career development is cyclical?

For example, I really enjoyed the first job I had out of college, but about 3 years in I decided that it had led me to what I wanted to do next – be an Academic Advisor. From there it took me another 3 years to select an academic program, apply and enroll, complete that degree, then get hired as an Academic Advisor. At the beginning of that journey I had the courage to leave that job I loved in favor of a position that I thought would provide me with related experienced that would help me when I finally had my graduate degree and was looking for a position I would truly enjoy.

And here I am a little more than 2.5 years later in that same position. It’s had its challenges and I haven’t always been incredibly happy, but I’m content, overall it’s enjoyable, and I currently have no plan for the future. Yikes! But looking back, my journey to get to this point at least shows me that I’m capable. That when I’m ready for the next phase, I’m capable of analyzing my options and taking steps to prepare myself for the next opportunity. So maybe I just need to sit tight and keep an open mind. My next goal might come to me when I least expect it. It might be 3 months from now, it might be 3 years from now. But I’ll be ready! I think... :)