Stage 1 Tips

Alternative Career Map for Artistic Types

This right-brain career map is an alternative, less-linear career plan.

Create a visual representation of your professional future, in the form of a collage of images and words that describe where your career aspirations lie

• On one side of your map, assemble a group of images and words for where you are now.
• On the opposite side, find the pictures, images, and words which describe the feeling of your fulfilling career.
  
  For example, if your career aspiration centers on a position that is peaceful, prosperous, and creative, find images in magazines and on the Web that capture this energy for you.

Your collage should be placed where you can see it daily, where it can inspire you to action. If you created the collage electronically, you might want to make it the wallpaper on your computer screen.

Find images of people doing the kinds of things it would take for you to be successful in your plan.

For example, if you need to do lots of research, get a picture of a library and a laptop computer. Or if your plan will require you to get on the phone and make lots of calls, have a friend take a picture of you with a headset on, looking like you're enjoying yourself, and add it into the collage.

As your career vision clarifies, you can add additional words and pictures to your collage. It will evolve with you over time.

Got a question for Gordon? Ask it here.

---

« Back to Stage 1 Toolkit