Career: The Bridge
April, 2019. Recently I took a family vacation to Walt Disney World with my husband, 10 year old son and 12 year old daughter. There’s lots of choices for family vacations, and this one was decided with the feeling this would be the last family vacation with kids who are purely kids, before the teenage/tween years kick in. In other words, this trip was a bridge of sorts for our family. In particular my 12 year old daughter was walking a metaphorical bridge between her kid self and this new, independent self. I love this set of pictures taken within 1 minute of each other. From loving family embrace to a moment that veered too far into “little kid” territory with the photographer, you can literally see it on my daughter’s face.
"The Bridge is a mixed bag. One minute you’re feeling happy and safe, the next you’re frustrated or unsettled."
It made me think about transitions in my career, and how we each have to walk a bridge between what was and what could be. How can we manage through this transition and maximize the learning and minimize the discomfort?
The most important step is to make the leap to move and begin changing. It also means you should be self-aware that it’s hard to embrace the transition. Other quick thoughts on moving in your career, and living in the in-between.
You’re jumping onto a new learning curve. Sometimes it means taking a job that is a stepping stone (or a lateral step) to get on your journey. And sometimes it means you go from being an expert to being a novice. But either way, your climb will be more strenuous and uncomfortable than you’re used to.
Focus on gratitude, wins and learning. Each day, I start by thinking of what I’m grateful for. And I end the day thinking of what I am proud of, and what I’d like to improve. This has been doubly important in a bridge role. Particularly on the learnings.
Seek and embrace connections. The idea of a bridge or transition is you’re moving from one place to another in your career. There is no better way to get there than with strong relationships. So invest in getting to know and learn from colleagues.
Sometimes it’s okay to take small career steps, even if it’s not the dream role. I have often worked with mentees who feel stagnant because they are ready for a change, but they feel unable to make a move in their career because what they see out there isn’t perfect. My dad’s advice often resonates: sometimes it’s more important to figure out what you don’t want to do, and then leave everything else as an option. As a generalist, this advice has worked well for me.
Tweens aren’t the only ones who have to walk a bridge between expertise at (being a kid) and being ready for (and anxious about) what’s next. In some ways we all go through it as we take on new projects, new team members, and so on. The fact of the matter is we wouldn’t get anywhere if we didn’t take the step to cross the bridge and embrace change. It’s exciting, scary, and entirely human. Be kind to yourself and others who are on their own bridge at home or at work.
And be generous in sharing your own lessons. I’d love to hear about your own bridges!
