Sometimes I like to go back and look at posts I’ve written over the years. One of my favorite posts is about something I call job morphing, a way to open up new possibilities. And it’s based on real-life job & career changes I made happen in my own life.
Job morphing is a way of taking a work situation — any work situation — and not just accepting, but instead finding those tiny bits of straw you can spin into something much better … full-blown career gold. In effect, it’s a self-steered path toward job and career change from the inside.
While you might take a quick look at this list (edited down from the original post) and only see random bits of straw, I assure you that making these into habits can bring all kinds of new opportunities into your work life.
15 ways to open up new possibilities
- Let go of self-doubt and see yourself succeeding.
- Be open to possibilities – even from least-likely sources.
- Stay tuned in to things happening around you.
- Build strong networks — and not just with people in higher positions.
- Let people see who you are and what you can do.
- Step up when opportunity presents. Or look to create it yourself.
- Don’t be afraid to take on new things. Learn new skills. Find a niche.
- Attitude, attitude, attitude.
- Always do the best job you can.
- Present solutions and/or improvements –- not just problems.
- Stay positive and optimistic — but also stay real.
- Be there for others.
- Don’t let obstacles –- or failures -– stop you. Know they’re temporary and try again.
- Be a go-to person people can rely on and trust.
- Focus on what’s possible rather than getting stuck in what’s wrong.
Not magic, but they can bring change
These are things I myself have done and continue to do (as best I can) to make a difference in my career and life. I’m not saying they’re magic potions that will transform your career in the blink of an eye.
But if applied properly and often, you will see some amazing changes take place. Each one on its own can make a difference, so you don’t have to do the all — at least not to begin with. But the more you add to the mix, the more opportunities seem to magically appear.
If you’re curious to see how I applied these things to some of my own less-than-optimal work situations, here’s my original post with stories only slightly masked to protect the innocent — namely me: 🙂
Job Morphing: 20 Ways You Can Improve Your Job and Career
[Article updated in 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.
More posts to help
Real Problem (Maybe) If Your Job Feels Wrong
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
Workplace Solutions: The Whole vs The Parts
How To Change Your Job Without Quitting
Putting a New Perspective To Work
When Emotions Take Over In the Workplace
What To Do If Your Job Makes You Miserable
Do You Feel You’re Not Appreciated at Work?
Why Do I Always Pick the Wrong Job?
Took the Wrong Job? What You Can Do
Build Work Relationships Face-to-Face!
What To Do If Your Boss Takes You For Granted
Hi Newyorking!
GREAT news. Wuhoooooo!!!
Thanks so much for letting us know. I’ve just been answering some comments that make me sad for what the folks are going through, so you really made my day. And I know it helps others to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. 😉
Glad this site helped. And I hope one day soon each one of my readers will be able to echo your beautiful words “I received and accepted an offer, and am very happy with my new job!”
Best of luck in your new job and everywhere else, Newyorking! So happy for you.
~ Ronnie Ann
FYI, I received and accepted an offer, and am very happy with my new job! Your site definitely helped me calm a bit because I went through a very restless phase during my job search process. I do hope the economy improves – it is NOT good to be in the job market.