“It’s the failure-proof variation-averse species that perish.” – Rick Smith.

Rather than thinking in terms of career destinations, as we’ve been taught to do, see your career decisions as a series of stepping stones and take a journey approach. There’s no “there” to get to, there’s no finality and certainty, and as soon as you think you’re “there,” you’ll stop learning and growing. So, rather than thinking in terms of making one big change so that you can get to some destination that you think you want to get to right now, stay open to change, learning and growing for the rest of your life.

What novelty and change can you bring into your life, to keep yourself alive and learning and comfortable with change?

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Continuing with planning your project or career change… having assessed the risks and rewards or your next possible steps, what next small steps are you ready to take now?

When will you take these steps?

Who else will you involve and what will you ask of them?

When will you complete taking action on these tests, review your strategy and decide your next steps?

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Think of a project you’d like to progress or career change you’d like to make.

* What are some small next steps towards that change that you can take that would allow you to test out reality, assess and manage the risks, address your fears and answer your questions?
* What are the financial costs of taking these steps?
* What are the time costs of taking these steps?
* What other risks are inherent in taking these steps?
* What are the potential rewards and opportunities that would open up to you if you take these steps?

Weighing up the costs, risks and rewards, does it make sense to take these next small steps or do you need to find even smaller steps to test the waters? (in which case, return to the first question).

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Successful projects and changes need a clear vision and direction. What’s the ultimate goal that you’re working towards with your project or the changes you’d like to make in your work?

When your vision is clear and you know what you want, the only reasons you’re not there yet are because you have gaps in your knowledge and plan and you don’t know how to get there, or because you know what needs to be done but you’re afraid of doing it.

What are the questions and fears that you have about moving this project or career change forward?

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Pick a life or work project you’d like to start or become more successful in. Rick says that big, selfless, simple ideas are what’s needed to cut through all the noise, get people’s attention and inspire them to get on board.

Is your project a simple idea? Is it easy to explain and understand? Is it easy for people to act on and tell other people about?

How can you simplify your idea or the way that you communicate your project idea?

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Pick a life or work project you’d like to start or become more successful in. Rick says that big, selfless, simple ideas are what’s needed to cut through all the noise, get people’s attention and inspire them to get on board.

Is this idea selfless? Who does this idea serve and how does it serve them?

How are you demonstrating your empathy and service in your marketing material, sales process and customer service process?

How can you improve your ability to serve your tribe? And how can you demonstrate your empathy and service more clearly?

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