I just returned from an intensive 3-day retreat with my colleagues. The non-stop brainstorming, idea generating, planning, and strategizing is always energizing and completely refreshing.
One of the very insightful topics we discussed was the “want to” versus “have to” mindset.
Want to … pie-in-the-sky dreams that may or may not come true but we definitely spend time thinking we would sure like to do them and even how fun it would be to do them.
Have to … can be life-changing and empowering steps that often lead to fulfillment of our “want.”
My take-away … The things we want to do only happen when we do the things we have to do in order to achieve them.
If you have a to-do list, which ones of those items fall into the “want-to” and which fall into the “have-to” category? Which are you actually doing? Which ones are you moving forward from one day to another because they are wonderful ideas, you would really like to do them, however there are more pressing have-tos that always seem to require your attention? Which of those have-to actions are moving you closer to the thing(s) you want?
What you want is that big, audacious, hairy goal or dream. The action steps to get there are the things you have to do in order to achieve the goal.
If you are gainfully and happily employed … congrats and kudos to you! However, you are only between your last search and your next search. What are the things you have to do in order to position yourself for the next position you want?
Want is the goal.
Getting there suggests there are things you have to do in order to attain your goal.
Waiting until you need a job before you begin doing the things you have to do in order to get that next position takes away all of your power and puts it completely in the hands of prospective employer. Even if your new job want is 1-3 years in the future, identifying the actions you have to do NOW and executing them along the way will allow you to effectively land, and land more quickly, while you are still in a position of power, leverage, and desirability.
If you are a CFO with aspirations, what are the things you have to do in order to win that big want in your personal or professional life?