Tipping points are catalyzing moments that drive change. The COVID-19 pandemic and heightened awareness of historical and current inequities prompted critical self-reflection and assessment of our work-life balance—why we work, where we work, how we work, the type of workplace culture and environment we work in, and the impact of our work. Conversations with your supervisor or human resources can help you decide whether you are on track with your goals. Does the track you are on help you to achieve your personal and professional goals? If you feel like you are off track, it may be time to realign and recommit to moving toward what is important to you. 

In my experience, self-reflection allows for clarity of that assessment and fuels change. A deliberate practice of self-reflection can help us consider how these factors take shape in our lives and identify opportunities for growth. Some external motivations might be obvious, more money, better hours, lack of appreciation or recognition, and world and life events that are beyond your control.

Self-reflection can help you surface your internal motivations that may not be as obvious and are crucial to career satisfaction. Some of the things I consider in self-reflection are how I can best contribute and make an impact in my work, how I want to grow, what skills I want to develop, and strategies for career fulfillment and job satisfaction. This exploration helps me understand how to best navigate and direct my own career path. 

Realizing there may be a need for change and figuring out what to do next is slow and challenging work. Here are few strategies and resources to support your own practices of self-reflection and assessment:

1. Schedule time for self-reflection.
2. Cultivate a growth mindset. This mindset recognizes that our abilities and qualities can change and improve through effort over time. Rather than perceiving ourselves as static, a growth mindset shifts "I can't" to "I can't yet," enabling honest self-reflection and assessment. Embracing a growth mindset empowers us to define the terms of our desired growth and provides the mental space to make progress toward our goals. By embracing a growth mindset, we allow for ongoing self-improvement through reflection. 
3. Acknowledge and utilize your support system. This may be peers, mentors, supportive supervisors, family, and friends. Seeking out different perspectives can help you arrive at a holistic and nuanced understanding of what is important to you and define your goals moving forward. 
4. Utilize campus resources. Many campus resources can be helpful including UI Employment Assistant Program and the Health and Well-Being Resources Guide including specific guidance on Managing Stress and Mindfulness.

It is important to acknowledge that there is no universal career trajectory; we are all distinct individuals with our unique identities, desires, and requirements. This includes considering factors such as time constraints, responsibilities to others, location preferences, and the capacity to step back or pursue further education, all of which contribute to shaping our individualized career plans.

Reflection combined with research and planning will help you craft a realistic vision and build networks of people who want to be helpful to you on your journey. In my experience, this work is what brings confidence and energy that serves as the tipping point to act. As I have considered my own career goals over the years, here are some of the research and planning steps I found most helpful:

1. Talk to your supervisor about opportunities for professional development and growth. Your goals could be fulfilled with strategic changes to your current work.
2. Utilize resources offered through the university like Career Development Advising Services, and Learning and Development including online resources like LinkedIn Learning.
3. Explore and expand your understanding of the possibilities. Reach out and meet with people who are doing the work that is of interest to you. Learn from their experiences as you understand their perspectives and career paths. 

At times this process can feel indulgent, wasteful, and selfish.  In those moments, I am inspired by the words of Toni Morrison to the Sarah Lawrence class of 1988: “I want to talk about the activity you are always warned against as being wasteful, impractical, hopeless. I want to talk about dreaming. Not the activity of the sleeping brain, but rather the activity of the awake and alert one. Not idle, wishful speculation, but engaged, directed daytime vision.” 

Morrison reminds us that, at its core, awake and alert dreaming is about envisioning possibilities and having a focused vision for our goals. Self-reflection, research, and planning are essential for creating a realistic vision and building supportive networks for our career journey. These practices empower us to make meaningful changes that work in our own best interests, aligning our personal and professional goals.

Cover image by Brendan Church.