We have all come across a high performer - be it a colleague, a friend, an annoyingly good at everything to do sibling, or an athlete.
We see them show up consistently and put in an amazing performance time and time again.
They get promotions.
They get accolades.
They get trophies.
We get....
Curious!
At least I do.
So, I started researching how all the top performers I've known, worked with, or admired from afar actually go about becoming and staying the best at whatever it is they choose to do.
What I discovered was so surprising, yet so simple.
Every singe top performer has this one thing in common:
They work with a coach to accelerate their learning.
That's it.
So simple.
They waste no time trying to learn how to do things themselves.
If they need a skill - they hire someone who is the best at it ‘right now’ to teach them.
If they need support - they hire someone who has experience supporting people like them with their specific issues, whatever they may be.
This got me thinking about my own career trajectory and results, so far.
The first year or two of my professional life I kind of floated along simply happy to be employed and receiving a paycheck.
But after a while, I noticed that I wanted more.
My employer at the time - IBM - was great at providing mentoring resources, so one day I signed up to be mentored in leadership, then human resources, and ultimately, sales.
My career took many twists and turns but the fundamental value I received then and continue to pay good money to receive today from coaches and mentors has stuck with me.
Which brings me to my current thought -
If top performers don't try to be the best on their own, but rather, they enlist the help of proven performers to help them achieve their goals, then why don't we all do it?
My passion and calling are to help others improve their lives.
I've chosen to work exclusively with transitioning teachers and have built a rockstar team of former educators to help me do it.
So, I pose this question to you sincerely:
“If you could do it alone, why haven't you done it already?”
Here are some things to consider before you answer:
Hiring a career coach can be extremely helpful when considering leaving the teaching profession and transitioning into another field. If you have pursued jobs beyond the classroom but felt frustrated by the process, you might have considered working with a career coach, but just not made the right connection yet.
Maybe you are unsure of the purpose, or “the why.”
Here are some benefits of working with a career coach:
Objective guidance: A career coach can provide you with objective guidance and help you explore your career options, assess your skills, and identify areas for improvement.
For example, as a candidate new to the career transition scene, you might not have the experience necessary to understand what your skills transfer into. You may read job descriptions and think “I can totally do that” but then feel stuck when it comes to how to actually say why you are qualified.
Personalized career plan: A career coach can work with you to create a personalized career plan that aligns with your strengths, interests, and goals.
Your career coach will get to know you and ask great questions about your life and your aspirations. These will be things above and beyond what’s on your resume. They will use their understanding of the hiring landscape to work with you and develop a truly personalized plan.
Resume and cover letter review: Do you ever feel like you’ve read the same thing over and over again and you just can’t make it look better and sound better? You’re not alone. You’ve been putting in so much effort, and it’s ok to need professional help improving your resume.
A career coach can help you tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job you are applying for and ensure that they are professional and effective.
You wouldn’t wear sweatpants to your interview. You deserve to put your best self forward when seeking a job. Invest in your resume and cover letters.
Networking strategies: A career coach can teach you networking strategies and help you make connections in your desired industry or field. It can be extremely daunting to transition into a different career. Seeking the counsel of a career coach doesn’t mean you couldn’t have done it on your own. It means you were smart enough to ask for help.
Interview preparation: You’ve worked really hard to get to this place. The interview. Your resume and cover letter caught their attention. Your networking is paying off. Here it is - time to land the job.
A career coach can provide you with interview tips, practice mock interviews with you, and help you develop strong responses to common interview questions.
Support and accountability: A career coach can provide you with ongoing support and accountability throughout your job search and career transition. This is a difficult season to be in. Having a career coach means someone is in your corner, supporting you.
Overall, a career coach can help you make a successful transition from teaching to another career and provide you with the tools and resources you need to achieve your career goals.
I know this is a lot to take in in one sitting, so I'll simply repeat the all-important questions for you to consider over the next few days as you think about your own career transition...
"If you could do it alone, why haven't you done it already?"