We all get by with a little help from our friends.
The simplest way for me to stay motivated is to find others to be accountable alongside. Having prompts from others forces me to get out 0f my head and take action.
That’s why we decided to launch our Accountability Program - to help ourselves and our Crabwalk community stay motivated amongst all that’s happening in the background for each of us.
Each Friday of the program we’ve been holding Live Q&A sessions. Motivation, lack of focus, and uncertainty has come up each week, so below are tips + frameworks for how to tackle each of those feelings.
How can I get conviction about what I want next?
Many of us want to make the “right” next move, adding additional stress to the process of a job transition. Reframe this to relieve some pressure: Life is a series of chapters. The next step you take simply leads you to the next chapter.
To help determine what that next chapter is, reflect on the current one you’re in:
What is it about this chapter that I love?
That I don't love?
What can I change for the next chapter?
How can I stay motivated to find a new job while currently working at a demanding job?
A big, hairy open-ended goal like finding a new job on its face can be overwhelming and this super unpleasant cycle starts:
When we get overwhelmed, we get stressed, and when we’re stressed we become unmotivated. Our minds are powerful - just not always in the way we want!
To combat this cycle, break that big beast into micro goals with this framework:
Step #1: Where do I want to be in my job search 6 weeks from now?
Step #2: Fast forward 3 weeks. What would I need to have accomplished to be on track to achieve my 6-week goal??
Step #3: What do I need to do this week to put me on track for my 3-week goal?
Step #4: What’s one action I can do today to move me towards my 1-week goal?
Step #5: What will prevent me from getting step #3 done this week?
Achieving micro goals like this will keep you motivated, and propel you forward.
What if I’m having trouble achieving micro goals given competing life elements (COVID, kids, noisy house)?
Yep - even when we’ve got our to-do lists, giant cup of coffee, and 8 hours of sleep our day can still go sideways really quick.
The trick is to forgive the day and give yourself credit for what you were still able to get done (I bet it’s a lot whether it’s responding to emails, getting in that 15 minute run, or spending an extra 10 minutes with your kid). You’ll get another chance tomorrow!
If this is happening constantly, you can also plan for it and reset your expectations given what’s out of your control. Use this quick framework:
Step#1: Take 15-30 minutes to map out everything on your plate (it's worth it) Go through your list, highlight the ones you need to finish today. Create a clean to do list on a new piece of paper in order of what you'll get done. After this step, you should have a full view of everything you owe to someone else.
Step#2: Scan your calendar and gut check time. Is it realistic? Can you realistically get your to do list done in the space you have with some buffer time for unexpected things? If not, keep reading!
Step #3: Take 15 minutes to renegotiate - how can I make it all fit? Do I have too much to do today or too little time to do it that day? Can I take something off my calendar or make something on my calendar shorter (e.g., turn a meeting into an email)? Can I delegate tasks?
Step #4: At the end of each day, scan and reset expectations. Scan your to-do list. If you didn’t get something done that was promised (implicitly or explicitly), reset expectations with that person.
How do I find opportunities in a field I’m trying to pivot into, and therefore new to?
Finding passion in a new industry, field or role is exciting! To understand the opportunities, become an expert in this new area. Let’s say you’re looking to make a transition from the financial services industry to a fin-tech startup. Here is an example for what becoming an expert looks like:
Step #1: What do I already know about the industry? List all of the existing data points you know about the industry you want to enter into:
I have a list of 10 fin-tech companies that are interesting to me
I know that being a VP at JPMorgan is not the same as being a VP at a startup
Step #2: What don’t I know about the industry that I want to know?
What does a typical startup org chart look like?
How do my current skills translate to to jobs in fin-tech companies
How does recruiting/hiring work?
Step #3: How can I answer these questions? I could…
Audit what I know about the industry I’m currently in so I have something to compare it to
Contact + ask questions to alums from my school who work at 3 of the fin-tech companies I’m interested in
Step #4: Who do I already know that could help me?
Oh ya, my friend Alex’s friend from college works at Robinhood which I just read about in the news and seems to be growing.
Step #5: How and when will I contact Alex?
We text all of the time, so sending that text right now...
How do I know if the goals I’ve set are big enough, yet achievable?
To understand the usefulness of your goals, you first need to know what overall direction you want to head towards. We refer to this as our ⭐️ north star ⭐️. To really understand your vision, ask yourself, where do I see myself when I’m 80 years old?
First, picture it: Where am I living? Who am I with?
Second, what’s got me smiling? What am I proud of? What stories do I have on repeat?
Now, back to today and moving towards that vision of your future self. Let’s start with a short term vision, and figure out if it’s achievable:
Step #1: What do I want to be doing 6 months from now? What’s my ideal world?
Step #2: What do I need to have accomplished in 3 months to be on track to achieve my 6-month goal?
Step #3: Specifically, what do I need to accomplish over the next 6 weeks to help ensure I make my 3-month goal?
Step #4: How and when will I do the tasks required for my 6-week goal?
Step #5: If you cannot answer #4, then you need to renegotiate your 6-week goal to ensure it is achievable.