I dont know what I want.
I need a plan that puts me on the right path.
I need clarity around my career goals and priorities.
I want to map out my next 5, even 10 years.
After surfing LinkedIn, she found me.
She sent me a message explaining that and asked to meet with me to learn more.
She was prepared with specific questions, and I was impressed with her curiosity.
We stayed in touch so I could pass her resume on when I put in my notice.
You guessed it; Gabby got my job.
Without knowing it, Gabby had applied Planned Happenstance to her career search, and you should too.
Planned Happenstance is a published career development theoryand an intentional oxymoron.
Heres how it works: You make an effort to seek out new experiences and people.
This is the planned part that creates an opportunity for chance or happenstance to take place.
Instead of heading home, you might ask the others who arrived if they want to get coffee.
Now lets say that the people you ask out for coffee decline the invitation.
They decide to go home.
Planned Happenstance is an openness for…well…whatever!
You have to take action andthenlet luck happen.
Its fuzzy, its intangible and thus, maybe unbelievable.
But take stock of your own life.
How many of the opportunities youve enjoyed resulted from some combination of action and luck?
Probably more than you realize.
This is a tried-and-true approach to developing, even advancing your career.
This means feeling comfortable with not knowing what you want or where to go next.
This is a common and natural place to be.
Then, go out and explore new things to create unexpected opportunities.
you’ve got the option to use LinkedIn too, like Gabby did.
Those you ask will likely be flattered.
If doing this independently is too much, then bring in a friend.
Identify a new activity to engage in but upon arrival, separate.
This way, you have the comfort of arriving together and then you split up to create personalized opportunities.
Look to your childhood.
What activities did you love to do?
Was it learning languages, singing in a choir, participating in 4-H, skateboarding, or something else?
It doesnt have to pertain to your current career; rather, its something you once enjoyed.
Opportunity likely wont come knocking after one try.
Let the conversation go wherever it may.
Contrary to popular belief, careers dont really require specific plans.
Rather, they require an openness to learn, some risk-taking, and perseverance.
Who knows what could be ahead?
Our futures are uncertain; thats a guarantee.
