Roadmap to Overwhelm? 5 Tips for Intentional Career-Building Post-Lockdown

With the recently announced roadmap out of lockdown, I’m sure I’m not alone in experiencing a strange mixture of  feelings about the imminent lifting of restrictions and the return to ‘normality’.  Relief, optimism, excitement for longed-for London summer evenings in rooftop cocktail bars (okay, that last one may not in reality be me what with a new baby, but *someone* will be enjoying that gorgeous scenario).  

Also bewilderment and anxiety.  Hectic train and tube travel?  Daily commuting?  Loss of personal time at the beginning and end of the working day?  Pressure to be social and make arrangements all the time? Office politics straight up and in your face rather than diluted with a healthy dose of Zoom?  After internally railing against the straitjacket of Lockdown 1.0 now, like many others, I’ve become used to this simpler life with far fewer expectations, and frankly there are bits of it I do not want to lose.   Is this roadmap out of lockdown actually a roadmap to overwhelm?

For many I’ve been speaking to, it’s the thought of the return to a fully pre-Covid working life that holds the most dread.  The protective bubble of the home environment and the physical distance from less-than-delightful workplace scenarios, feel like they might be about to disappear.  Some of us have had time to indulge in activities that truly inspire us, or to learn new skills over the last (nearly) 12 months.  Others have taken time to re-evaluate what’s really important in life.  Is the promotion you were grafting for pre-Covid still what you want?  

The pandemic has been something of a litmus test for organisational culture and values, too.  So how has your employer measured up? Did they wrap their arms around you, reassure you and communicate clearly with you about the safety of your job?  Did you have the opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise, and be part of the team keeping the business afloat? Or did they leave you to fend for yourself and draw your own conclusions about your professional future?  The saying goes “you reap what you sow”, and I think employees are getting ready to vote with their feet.  Sure, it may not be immediate – job security is more precious than ever for most of us right now – but as the ‘new new normal’ beds in, I believe some of us are ready to make major career shifts.  If that’s you, and the prospect of the next few months or year is starting to give you anxiety, read on for tips to get the best out of your career in this period. 

Allow yourself time to adjust to post-lockdown conditions

None of us have been here before, and it’s nigh on impossible for any decision-makers – employer or government – to know exactly what working life will look like later this year.  Take it slow.  If you don’t feel ready to jump straight back into five-day-a-week office life, then think about requesting a flexible working pattern.  Also consider the benefits of returning to the office on at least an occasional basis; though it will feel strange at first, there are probably huge psychological plus points to a casual in-person chat with a colleague over a coffee once or twice a week.

Express how you’re feeling

More than likely, once eateries, bars and entertainment venues are fully open and summer is in swing,  you’ll be inundated with social suggestions in much the same way that many of us were flooded with Zoom quiz nights and the like last Spring.  And just like all that Zoom-ing, it’s going to start to feel intense.  Added to changing working patterns, there is the potential for serious overwhelm here.  Get on top of this early, by letting friends and colleagues know where your boundaries are.  If a real life social meet-up once a week is absolutely your limit and you want weekends to yourself, then say so.  

Don’t lose sight of the dreams you nurtured during lockdown

It’s easy to throw those more creative life goals to one side once new demands on your time and mental bandwidth kick in.  But for many of us, this pandemic has forced us to get grounded and reconnected with ourselves in a way we have never done before, and may not ever again.  Through this discomfort we have grown, but old routines and ways of working (if they do return in full force) will want to pull us back into old versions of ourselves.  Why not make a vision board to keep your new ambitions front of mind?

Build your network

One sure-fire way of keeping those dreams on the boil is to translate them into action.  You can do this in small and simple ways, such as identifying individuals and organisations that are aligned with your new career ambitions on LinkedIn or Instagram, and following them.  Be bold and comment on their posts sharing your point of view, or send some DMs asking questions on their recent articles or posts.   Show genuine interest and you may be rewarded. In such small ways, you keep a promise to yourself to honour your dreams and ambitions; you show yourself that you take your goals seriously.  

Invest in support

Whether it’s time or money you invest, surround yourself with people who can support you in getting the best from your career in this transitional period.  Keep your cup full with friends, family, colleagues who believe in your career goals and who will keep you accountable.  

Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone impartial and removed from your daily life, especially on the accountability front.  In that case, you may be interested in a coach.  Coaching provides a non-judgemental and confidential space in which you can explore your goals, challenges, and options to get to where you want to be.  How often do you get to spend time just talking about you?!  A good, collaborative coaching relationship offers you a positive environment to give voice to your ambitions while effectively challenging limiting beliefs that are holding you back from greater fulfilment.  If you want to get clarity on your vision and how to achieve it, then it is definitely something to explore.

If you are contemplating the next phase of your career and want to gain clarity on your next move or need support to polish your job search game for greater success, then I would love to talk to you. Find out more about my career search and coaching practice Fulfilled. via www.fulfilledconsulting.co.uk and on Instagram @fulflled.career.coaching.