How are you? I hope you are beautiful and making the most of today. Do you enjoy your current state? I met a worker recently, and he wanted my assistance in guiding him on what he wants to do with his career. He was a graduated so years back. Because of unemployment, he decided to do an apprenticeship course that gave him employment as a building maintenance labour. Now, he decided to analyse his situation and concluded that he has been stagnant. He needed to progress. He needed something different.
We had a conversation, and I analysed his skills. In the end, I made several suggestions by examining his skill set. He was satisfied, but he now needs to put into practice the recommendation I have made to him. I promised to guide him and mentor him through the process. The consultation was free, of course. He is a colleague; he was smart to make use of the opportunity of being with me. It started as a mere talk so there was no way I could ask him to book an appointment that will cost him. Looking back at the scenario, I loved his confidence; I like the fact he is hungry to succeed in life. I am ready to give him all the assistance he deserves not because I want to, but because his passion is pulling it out of me.
Life is a journey and not a destination. There are times you are stuck in the same position. You get frustrated by the lack of progress or insufficient progress in your career and personal life. It is when you need to stop and take the time to analyse yourself. You need to look at where you are in life, where you want to go, and how you intend to get there. To achieve this, you need to write and use a strategic plan for your life.
When looking at the different option through a process called ‘optional analysis’, I consider his SWOT and SWOC. The primary target here is not about comfort. The aim is to get him a job that pays more than what he earns. He is receiving about £460 to £540 a week. My recommendations will earn him between £350 to £12000 per day. It is a considerable increase. He needs at least four months to get ready and search for a job in the suggested industry. The salary is enough motivation to get him started.
SWOT is your strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats. Strength and weakness are internal factors within your control. Opportunities and threats are external factors outside your control. Analysing yourself this way is to get the best opportunity to succeed in your chosen discipline. I found out that sometimes people are undervalued in specific industries. The effort needed to earn his £460 to £540 per week was strenuous compared to earning £350 to £12000 per day. Statistics reveal more accidents occurs in his current industry. Also, there is a high level of monitoring with health and safety. The tension alone creates additional stress.
SWOT Analysis is not about companies and industries alone. SWOT analysis is equally useful on a personal level to identify areas for development and as part of career discussions. It is a simple format and easy-to-apply structure that can be used very easily without support.
Apart from SWOT, we are also dealing with SWOC. SWOC is an acronym for Strength, weakness, opportunities, and challenges. Strengths and weaknesses are as a result of internal factors, most of which are within your control. Opportunities and challenges are controlled mainly by external factors. Most of these factors are outside your control. Your strengths and opportunities are things you can use to help you improve yourself and your life. Your weaknesses and challenges are things you need to improve and manage.
I have combined SWOT and SWOC. Seeing they are the same apart from the last letter I merge them to form SWOTC Analysis.
SWOTC Analysis is a strategic planning technique that allows you to identify your strength, weakness, opportunities, threats, and challenges.
Enhancing Your Strengths: The strength is all you need and not your weakness. Do not spend time concentrating on your weakness. Enhance your strength because this will improve you all round. It will make you better and gives you an edge against the competition. There is a need to get additional training. I have a couple of training sites I enrol for a skill I want to improve on or an entirely new skill I believe will improve my work and make me better. I learn and practice from the comfort of my home, although the timing is not comfortable, it is the sacrifice I must make if I want to improve. You must identify your strength and then identify ways of enhancing your strength, so it works for you and not against you. Education is a potent tool or weapon.
Understanding Your Weakness: The fact you have areas of weakness does not define who you are. Concentrating on your vulnerability makes you weaker. Your habits, your shortcomings, your ability or inability to persevere, all will be tested, and will — at the very least — slow you down, if not hold you back altogether. Until you know your weakness, you will not be able to manage your weakness. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Sometimes your weakness can be an advantage.
Identifying Most of Your Opportunities: The skills and experience you have supports you with an eye to see the opportunities more clearly in your discipline. You must make the most of your opportunities in life. You are a magnet; you have the power to attract the opportunities you need in life. You must know who you are and where you are going. Be positive and try to see opportunities in adverse situations. Every event and circumstance should work in your favour no matter what. Do not be in a hurry. Be patient.
Identifying Your Threats: The threats to your career strength matters. What are the threats to your growth and improvement? Determine the outcomes and make the best decision that will deliver the necessary improvements. Conduct a cost analysis as well. You do not want to borrow and study under enormous stress and duress.
Overcoming Your Challenges: The challenges of life are real and inevitable. You will face several challenges in your journey in life. The issue is not the challenges, but how you deal with them. Struggle builds character. Challenges are a test of your character. Do not stay in your comfort zone, instead do things that will push you beyond your limitations. The moment you have gained momentum, you will be unstoppable.
Managing impatience is a valuable skill you must acquire. Sometimes you need the discipline to hold on until the storm settles because you will be calm to see things clearer. Do not be in a hurry to make decisions. When things are not working according to your desired plan, do not panic. Allow the tension to cool, and you will see things clearer. Refuse to be distracted when things are not working for you.
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