The Next Wave: A Guide to Reshaping Your Career
In a world where change is constant, the path to a fulfilling career isn’t a straight line—it’s a journey that requires you to understand yourself, navigate shifting landscapes, and align with opportunities that truly resonate with your core values. At Finding Next, we believe that career transformation is an exploration in discovering your potential, understanding your current role, and setting a clear path toward a meaningful future.
Our approach, Deciphering You: A 3-Step Journey to Finding Next, is a proprietary process that goes beyond traditional assessments to reveal the insights that will empower you to reboot, pivot, or persevere. This journey is broken down into three transformative steps—Helix, Prism, and Constellation—each designed to provide you with clarity and confidence in your career direction.
Step 1: Helix
In the Helix phase, we dive deep into what makes you distinctly you. Much like the DNA helix that carries a person’s unique code, this phase explores the layers of your strengths, values, and life experiences. The goal is to uncover your individual “signature”—that one-of-a-kind combination of traits that defines your potential and sets you apart. It’s about understanding the foundation of who you are, as well as how these unique qualities shape your career path.
Consider what elements make up your “Helix”:
- Core Strengths: What skills have consistently driven your success, and which bring you the most satisfaction?
- Values and Passions: What do you believe in, and what aspects of your work resonate most deeply with these values?
- Defining Experiences: Which events, roles, or mentors have had a lasting impact on you?
This phase isn’t just self-discovery—it’s about defining your position in the career landscape, so you can understand where your unique attributes fit in and where they could lead you.
Step 2: Prism
The Prism phase focuses on where you are in your career right now. Just as a prism refracts light into a spectrum, this stage helps you see the many facets of your current identity, strengths, and professional aspirations. Through this lens, you can gain clarity on how you’re perceived, what aligns with your values, and what might need adjustment.
Through the Prism, you assess your professional identity in detail:
- Current Role and Skills: What skills are you using now, and do they align with your long-term goals?
- Self-Perception vs. External Perception: How do you see yourself versus how others (e.g., colleagues, supervisors) view your contributions?
- Alignment with Goals: Are your current responsibilities and challenges helping you grow toward your vision?
This stage is crucial for identifying any gaps or misalignments in your career. It provides a clear view of where you are, helping you determine if you need minor adjustments or a larger shift. By focusing on your current position, you’ll develop a practical understanding of your strengths, limitations, and how they shape your opportunities.
Step 3: Constellation
In the Constellation phase, we focus on aligning your career path with a future that’s both purposeful and authentic to you. Just like stars forming patterns in the sky, your skills, values, and aspirations come together to shape a clear vision for the future. The Constellation phase is about mapping out where you’re meant to be and guiding you toward a fulfilling future that aligns with your unique attributes.
As you connect the points in your Constellation, consider:
- Future Aspirations: What type of work environment, responsibilities, or industries do you envision yourself thriving in?
- Core Purpose: What drives you to succeed, and how can you integrate this motivation into your career?
- Career Trajectory: Which roles or projects could naturally lead you closer to your ultimate goals?
This final phase provides you with direction, ensuring that you’re not only prepared for your next role but also aligned with a career path that feels genuinely fulfilling. It’s a phase that enables you to move forward confidently, knowing that you’re making choices that reflect your true self.
Bringing It All Together: The Decipher Process in Action
Each phase of Deciphering You—Helix, Prism, and Constellation—serves as a stepping-stone toward a career transformation that’s grounded in authenticity and clarity. Together, these steps provide a framework that enables you to take control of your career journey in a way that feels natural, purposeful, and aligned with your unique strengths.
When you’re ready to act on these insights, consider breaking down your goals into manageable steps. Start by identifying “Quick Wins”—small, achievable goals that can set the stage for bigger changes. This could be as simple as scheduling a conversation with a mentor, joining an industry group, or dedicating time to skill-building in areas that will support your long-term vision.
For more significant shifts, creating a flexible “Pivot Playbook” can be valuable. This playbook serves as a strategic roadmap for larger career moves, helping you keep track of your progress while staying adaptable to new opportunities.
Sustaining Success: Keeping Your Career Transformation Momentum
The journey doesn’t end when you reach a single milestone; rather, career transformation is an ongoing process. Staying adaptable, resilient, and aligned with your goals requires regular check-ins with yourself and a willingness to keep learning and evolving.
At Finding Next, we support you in maintaining momentum through a system of “Metrics that Matter.” These personalized benchmarks help you measure success beyond financial or title-based goals. Think about what success means to you personally—is it work-life balance, job satisfaction, creative fulfillment, or community impact? These elements remind you that a fulfilling career is not a single achievement but a sustained alignment with your values and goals.
Are You Ready to Begin Your Journey?
At Finding Next, we specialize in guiding professionals through this journey of self-discovery, strategic planning, and career transformation. The Decipher Process is designed not only to help you find your next role but to ensure that you’re growing in a way that feels meaningful and authentic.
If you’re ready to take that next step, connect with us. Together, we’ll explore each phase of Deciphering You—Helix, Prism, and Constellation—and ensure that your career reflects not just what you do but who you truly are and who you’re striving to become.
Welcome to a new way of seeing, thinking, and achieving. With Finding Next, your unique career path becomes unmistakably clear.