TIP #1 – DECLARE IT

Do you want to make a change in your career next year?

Perhaps you’ve achieved everything you set out to in your current career and you’re ready for a new challenge. Or you’ve hit the ceiling in your team and are evaluating how to redesign your role or what other pathways exist in your organisation.

It could be a niggling feeling something isn’t quite right — or a deep sense of frustration. Whatever it is, don’t wait until you’re so depleted or dissatisfied that you make a reactive decision — like quitting without a plan.

I remember having lunch with my dad one afternoon and finally sharing how unhappy I was. In that moment, it was a relief to say it out loud. And the first time I’d admitted it to myself.

Recognise right now if something’s not right. Because when you declare it, you can commit to changing it.

TIP #2 – IDENTIFY WHAT’S IMPORTANT

Who and what are important in your work and life? What do you want personally and professionally — and why?

Knowing the answers allows you to make career choices aligned with your values, not external expectations.

Ask yourself: What will I be honouring by making this decision? What will I be saying yes to? Or saying no to?

When you understand what matters most, you will make changes to create the career and life you want.

TIP #3 – SHIFT YOUR MINDSET

What’s really holding you back from change? The majority of time it’s not capability — but mindset.

My coaching clients often know WHAT they want (or at least sense what isn’t working in their careers). They may even have some ideas of the steps to take. Yet what holds them back 80% of the time are fears and limiting beliefs.

Fear of making the ‘wrong’ choice. The belief it’s too late to make a change. Or the pressure to maintain external success and anxiety about throwing away everything they’ve invested into their current career.

So how do you address mindset? The first step is to acknowledging the limiting belief, fear, old habit or behaviour holding you back.

Then, reframe it. Replace it with a new, more helpful one which honours your values and where you want to go. Finally, move into action.

When you shift your mindset, you will navigate change with confidence.

TIP #4 – TAKE ACTION

You’ve heard the saying: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Without action, you can’t expect your current career situation to change.

For high-achievers, this looks like overworking, staying stuck in analysis or trying to create the ‘perfect’ plan. Or you’re focusing on what you think you ‘should’ do or busy work — but not taking the right action.

Here’s how to break this cycle. First, think about the change you’d like to make and identify ONE small step you’re comfortable taking towards it. You could contact someone you know to learn more about the work they do and explore career pathways available in your organisation or industry.

Second, come up with the extreme version of this step — something outrageous and way beyond what you believe is possible. For example, initiating 30-40 conversations, including outreach to cold or high-level contacts you wouldn’t normally approach.

The definition of comfortable and challenging will be different for each person. The point is to identify an easy goal, then something completely uncomfortable.

Finally, settle on an action which sits between the two. For instance, arranging 5-10 targeted conversations with warm connections or introductions and having a clear intention behind each one.

When you stretch yourself, you will take action far outside your original comfort zone.

TIP #5 – GET SUPPORT

As you navigate any change, having the right support network is essential. For me, this came in the form of family and friends, investing in a coach, finding a mentor and joining a peer mastermind.

As a senior leader, there are very few people you can speak to openly about your career. Those who aren’t emotionally involved (like family) or influenced by internal politics within your organisation. Having someone in your corner as a sounding board and strategic advisor gives you a level of objectivity you can’t find inside your immediate circle or environment.

Change also takes time — and doing it on your own can take years. One new client first reached out 3 years ago and another returned recently after trying to work through it alone for the past year. This is why I partner with clients over a 3-6 month period, using a structured process and proven methodology to create the results they want, faster.

When you have the right support, you will transform your career with clarity, confidence and a personalised strategy.

Change is challenging and requires plenty of courage and commitment to execute. These tips helped my clients and I create meaningful, lasting changes in our careers. I hope they support you too!

Ready to find clarity, navigate change with confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Apply to work with me inside Ignite Your Career.

Book your free 30 minute consult HERE to get started!

Stacey Back is The Career Planning Specialist, an executive career coach and speaker. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

STEP #1 — SCHEDULE YOUR ‘BIG ROCKS’ FIRST

To create a schedule you’ll actually stick to — and achieve more — start by scheduling your ‘big rocks’ first. This idea comes from Stephen Covey, author of ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ and it’s one of my favourite productivity concepts.

Here’s how it works: Imagine filling an empty jar with large rocks until they reach the top. Then, you add smaller pebbles and sand to fill the gaps between the rocks. The jar is now completely full!

But what happens when you reverse this process? If you fill the jar with pebbles and sand first, there’s no room left for your ‘big rocks’!

In this analogy, the big rocks represent your most important goals and priorities in work and life. The pebbles and sand symbolise the less important tasks — the ones which often consume your time if you’re not intentional.

By identifying your ‘big rocks’ and scheduling them first, you’ll ensure all the important things get done. The smaller, secondary tasks will naturally fit around these — and still get completed! On the other hand, if you let the unimportant tasks dominate your schedule, you’ll struggle to make time for your biggest priorities.

So how do you put this into action?

1. Start with your PERSONAL commitments. These are your non-negotiables, like a weekly fitness class, meeting a friend for lunch, school pick-ups or not working weekends. Block this time out in your calendar before scheduling anything else.

2. Then, schedule your WORK priorities. Dedicate time to your most important projects and goals. Don’t forget to plan your holidays in advance too!

Because when you schedule your ‘big rocks’ first, you will achieve more of what matters most.

STEP #2 — IDENTIFY THE HOURS YOU WANT TO WORK

To create an effective work routine and achieve more in less time, you need to put boundaries around your work hours. Start by identifying the hours you want to work. Then, put them on your calendar.

As a senior leader, this step can feel challenging. With back to back meetings, competing priorities and the constant demands of leading a team, it’s easy for your workday to spill over into your personal time.

This is why setting boundaries is essential. Consider how you can adapt your schedule to reflect YOUR personal and professional priorities. Whether it’s protecting time for deep, strategic work, scheduling regular one-on-ones with your team or leaving the office in time for dinner with your family, being intentional with your hours is key.

But no matter how much control you have over your schedule, sticking to these boundaries isn’t always easy! Here’s the solution: Commit to regular start and finish times and put a hard stop on overtime.

When you identify the hours you WANT to work, you will take back control of your time.

STEP #3 — LIST OUT YOUR WORK TASKS

To design an effective daily schedule, you need to know exactly where your time is going! List everything you do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to perform your role, lead your team and deliver results.

Struggling with this task? Here’s an exercise to help:

Over the course of one week, keep an inventory of how you spend your time. Review your calendar and note down everything you do throughout each workday. By the end of the week, you’ll have a clear picture of your work tasks and how your time is allocated.

This practice is also a powerful way to assess whether your time is being spent on high-value activities. You’ll quickly see if your focus is aligned with strategic priorities — or if it’s being consumed by low-level tasks that could be delegated.

When you know WHAT you’re working on, you can plan your schedule with clarity and confidence!

STEP #4 — DESIGN YOUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE

At this stage, it’s time to create a weekly work schedule by blocking out your work commitments and allocating time for each task.

Start by categorising your tasks. If you’re a leader, this could include:

• Strategic planning or business development
• Team meetings or one-on-ones
• Client or stakeholder engagement
• Reporting and admin

Next, design your work schedule. Think about batching similar tasks, how you like to work and when you’re at your best throughout the day:

• Are you most focused early in the morning? Block out time for high priority projects or deep work and leave routine tasks until later
• Not a morning person (yes, guilty!)? Book your key meetings from mid-morning when you know you perform your best. It took many years of trying to keep up with the early-birds before I finally started skipping the 7am meetings!

Once your schedule is mapped out, take a step back and check:

• Does everything fit? Be realistic about what you can achieve within the hours you’ve committed to work. If you’re trying to fit too much in, reprioritise or adjust.

Lastly, finalise your work schedule. And a note to my perfectionists — at this stage, it doesn’t need to be perfect! You’ll have plenty of time to test and tweak later.

When you design your weekly schedule with intention, you will work more efficiently and stay focused on your priorities.

STEP #5 — SCHEDULE IT!

Now you’ve created your work schedule, block out the time in your calendar. Before you panic, don’t worry. This isn’t about allocating tasks to every single minute of your day!

Instead, we use the concept of time blocking. This means dividing your day into blocks of time (usually 1-2 hours or more) to focus on one specific task or group of tasks.

“If you don’t schedule it, it’s not real” — Marie Forleo

If you’re a natural planner who loves structure, this step will feel easy. But what if you’re more spontaneous and prefer to keep your options open? Even 3-4 hour time blocks could feel too rigid!

If this sounds like you, here are some suggestions to create a schedule with plenty of space and flexibility:

• First, time block — but leave space for thinking, creativity and unplanned activities
• Second, allow yourself extra time to complete tasks
• Third, give yourself lots of breathing room between tasks to reset
• Finally, schedule free time outside work hours for exercise, self-care and (unplanned) fun!

Because when you block out your schedule, you will stay focused AND make room for flexibility!

STEP #6 — COMMIT TO YOUR SCHEDULE

Once you’ve created your work schedule and blocked out time on your calendar, the next step is to commit to it! Challenge yourself to stick with this routine for at least a month before making changes, quitting or deciding it’s not working.

Your schedule is designed to be flexible. If something comes up and you can’t get to your Monday afternoon tasks, simply move that time block to later in the week.

Stick with it until it becomes second nature. I guarantee you’ll be more productive, achieve your important goals — and actually have time to enjoy life!

When you commit to your schedule, you will get more done and feel in control of your day.

STEP #7 — REVIEW

After committing to your new work schedule for 30 days, you’ll have plenty of data to assess what is and isn’t working. The final step is to tweak anything that isn’t working and keep everything that is!

• Need more time to complete certain tasks? Build it into your schedule
• Finding your schedule too restrictive? Consider breaking your day into two halves rather than hourly increments and test it out again for another month
• Struggling to get your important projects completed? Dedicate your first 3 hours of the day to this work. Try it for the next 30 days and see how it goes

When you regularly review your schedule, you will create a system you’ll stick to long term.

So there you have it. The exact, step-by-step framework which has supported my clients and I to design an effective work schedule and achieve more, in less time. I hope it helps you too!

Want help to design a career and schedule which works for you? 

Let’s chat! Book your free 30 minute consult HERE to get started.

Stacey Back is The Career Planning Specialist, an executive career + leadership coach and speaker. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

Why is having a vision so important?

A clear vision is the foundation for success. It helps you define what you want, stay focused on what matters and take intentional action toward your goals. Your vision also supports you to push past challenges, stay motivated and create a fulfilling career on YOUR terms.

So, let’s dive into the five practical steps for clarifying your vision.

#1 — REVIEW THE PAST YEAR

As a high-performer, I know you’re always looking forward to the next big goal. But before planning ahead, it’s important to take stock of what is and isn’t working in your current career.

Why? Because this ensures you’re focused on what you really want — not what you think you ‘should’ do. Reflection helps you approach the year ahead with focus and intention.

Start by asking yourself:

• What worked in 2024?
• And what habits, tasks or activities moved the needle in your work and life?

One of my biggest lessons last year was about doubling down on key actions. Despite some health challenges and a packed schedule, staying consistent with my podcast, quarterly masterclasses and daily practices like movement and meditation kept me on track. These commitments supported my mindset, built my self-belief and delivered real results.

What will you KEEP doing this year? Identify the actions that made the biggest impact — and focus on doing more of them, consistently.

Next, consider:

• What didn’t work last year?
• And what will you STOP doing in 2025?

For me, it was falling into old habits of overwork and realising where I was overdelivering with clients. This year, I’m going to stop working long hours and start being more intentional with my time and energy.

• What habits or tasks will you leave behind in 2025 — and what new actions will you START to implement?
• Reflect on what you can tweak — or eliminate altogether

Take this time to decide what you’ll keep doing, stop doing and start doing in 2025. If you need guidance, read this article for a simple process to help you review your year effectively.

Because when you know what you’ll continue to do consistently — and differently — in 2025, your vision becomes clear!

#2 — ALIGN YOUR VISION WITH WHAT MATTERS MOST

Having a clear vision and setting your goals from there is key if you want more satisfaction and success in your personal and professional life. This is why it’s crucial to align your vision with your purpose and values.

Your purpose is the ‘why’ behind your work and the impact you want to have in the world. Forget the things you believe you ‘should’, ‘have-to’ or ‘must’ do. These are defined by deadlines — or the expectations of others.

One of my favourite questions to ask clients is:

• What does success look like to YOU?
• What drives you?
• And what’s your ‘why’?

Your values are the things which are most important to you. Empty goals like the pursuit of power or money create unfulfillment. So start with what matters to you most — and build your vision and goals around this.

Say you want to be promoted this year. What about this is important to you? Is it about the title — or is it the sense of security, recognition or achievement you’re really seeking?

When you know your purpose and values, you’ll create a vision which reflects what matters most!

#3 — BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

The best way to clarify your vision is to picture the career — and life — you want to create in 12 months’ time.

Imagine yourself waking up one year from today. Now grab a pen and paper and answer the following questions as if what you want has already happened:

•  What does your ideal life look like? As you look back on the past year, what have you achieved — personally, professionally, financially, in your relationships and health?
• Who have you become? What personal qualities, habits, beliefs and behaviours have you developed?
• How do you feel? What emotions come up as you picture bringing this vision to life?

Visualise your ideal day in detail — from the moment you wake up to the second your head hits the pillow. This is about big picture, blue sky thinking. Allow yourself to really dream and journal or free write your ideal scenario.

When you begin with the end in mind, you will uncover the goals and actions needed to bring this vision to life!

#4 — SET YOUR INTENTION

Have you noticed people sharing their ‘word of the year’ on social media lately? While you don’t need to announce yours, it’s a practice I use and recommend to clients.

Instead of big New Year’s resolutions you never keep, the idea is to select one theme word which describes your vision, goals and intention for the year. Here’s how it works:

A client reflected that they were being driven by the needs of others and what they thought they ‘should’ do in 2024. This year, they want to have greater autonomy, feel in control and focus on the things they ‘want’ to do. ‘Liberated’ is the word which describes the essence of what they want to create in 2025.

One year I chose the word ‘imperfection’. Reflecting on this the following New Year’s Eve, I realised — that year was all about getting messy, trying things out and taking imperfect action. It gave me a clear focus for the year, which guided my decisions and actions.

• What’s your intention this year?
• And what’s the ONE personal word which sums up your 2025 vision?

When you start with a clear intention, your vision becomes a reality.

#5 — CLARIFY YOUR GOALS & ACTIONS

Once you’re clear on your 2025 vision, reverse engineer it into goals and action steps.

Start by identifying your big overarching goals to bring your vision to life. What are those key milestones?

Then, map out the specific actions you need to take to achieve those goals. What are the exact steps — and in what order — to accomplish each goal?

Finally, review your vision on a regular basis as you refine your goals and craft your quarterly plan throughout 2025.

Because when you start by creating your vision, you will know what goals matter most, what steps to take and how to make the right decisions.

Remember, having a clear vision is the foundation for creating success and fulfillment in your career — and life. These tips have helped my clients and I get crystal clear on our vision. I hope they support you too!

Want further support to clarify your career vision and goals?

Hit play on this curated podcast list for proven strategies to move from confusion to clarity in your career! Get instant access.

Stacey Back is The Career Planning Specialist, an executive career + leadership coach and speaker. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

STEP #1 — WHAT’S YOUR ‘WHY’?

If you’re dreading going into work on Monday, ask yourself – why? Reflect on your current role and why you are unhappy. Be as specific as possible.

Are you no longer finding the work challenging or satisfying? Or, is it the people, your boss or their management style, or the workplace culture that you’re not enjoying? Do you feel progression opportunities are limited, you’re not being paid enough — or you’ve achieved all you can in this role?

Whatever the reasons, note them down. This will help you identify what’s important to your career and crucial in your next role. And if you decide to move on, it will assist you to clearly explain to prospective employers why you’re in the market.

STEP #2 — WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?

If you’re unhappy with aspects of your current role, it’s always advisable to take steps to improve the situation first. Then if you do move on, you’ll know you did everything in your power to work it out with your employer. You can also explain to prospective employers how you addressed any issues in your role, giving them greater assurance about your commitment and motivations for moving.

Consider – is there anything that I can do to improve the aspects of my current role that I’m not happy with?

Start by looking at what is within your own personal control to change. Be proactive and make a point in asking your supervisor for more complex work. Or, approach your employer about a pay rise, being sure to do your research on market rates and to explain the reasons why (based on performance) you deserve an increase.

If you want progression, apply for a promotion or start taking on additional responsibilities, such as business development or supervising junior staff, so you’re more likely to be considered for one.

For anything you wish to change that is outside of your control, give your current employer the opportunity to improve the situation first. This may mean initiating a career discussion to talk about what progression opportunities are available to you or a frank conversation about any aspects of the workplace you’re not enjoying. If you’re uncomfortable having this discussion with your direct supervisor, consider approaching a senior mentor you trust within the organisation, or HR.

STEP #3 — WHAT MAKES MY ROLE ENJOYABLE?

Assessing the positive aspects of your current position will allow you to get a firm view on what is important to you. It will also reveal the key criteria you should look for in any role you consider moving forward.

Do you love the challenging work you are doing and the level of client interaction, but feel you are not getting the level of training or mentoring you need to develop your skills? Perhaps you need to consider a role with a more structured training or mentoring program in place, which still gives you some exposure to clients and stimulating work.

Or, do you enjoy your working environment and the people you work with, but are no longer feeling stimulated with your work? Perhaps it’s time to specialise or seek out a team doing complex work in your area, whilst finding an employer with a similar working culture.

STEP #4 — KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

Identify your strengths and what sets you apart in the market. Consider your areas of technical expertise, whether in a certain specialist area, or specific industry knowledge. Personal skills are also vitally important. Employers increasingly place importance on soft skills, such as communication and ability to work as part of a team. Think about what personal skills you have that set you apart.

Your best chances of securing a new role are to play to your strengths. You’ll also be more marketable to non-advertised positions with specialist teams or employers who can immediately benefit from your skills. This cuts out the competition that you’d otherwise encounter applying to an advertised role.

STEP #5 — GET REAL

Be realistic. Consider the types of employers or practice areas that are recruiting and whether your skills will be competitive.

For example, private practice lawyers with no corporate experience may struggle to secure an in-house role against more suitably qualified candidates. However, an experienced oil & gas lawyer from a leading first-tier team is going to have a good chance of success at securing a specialist position with an oil & gas company.

In this instance, it’s worth considering alternative opportunities that also meet the criteria of the role you’re looking for. You may consider a boutique organisation if your motivations are better work/life balance or more client exposure.

Do be realistic about your salary expectations and realise you’re not always going to get a significant uplift in salary by moving roles. Salary should never be a key motivator to move jobs anyway – only a consideration. And if you do decide to make a major change, such as moving into a new practice area, set yourself a realistic time frame to do so.

STEP #6 — BE STRATEGIC

You’ve identified the ideal criteria for your next role, what you are willing to negotiate on and where you will be most competitive. The final step is to put a final action plan in place and go out and find your next role.

Make sure your resume is up to date. Identify a list of target companies that you’d like to work for and utilise your networks. Be strategic about any advertised positions you apply to.

I hope these 6 steps assist you with clarifying and pursuing your career goals.

Need further support to clarify and reach your career goals?

Click HERE to book a free 30 minute consult and find out how coaching with me can help you!

Stacey Back is a globally recognised and certified Career + Leadership Coach. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

Extract from IWD presentation: “How to go from striving to thriving in your professional life”

About 18 months ago, I got a call out of the blue from my Dad. It could have been any typical mid-week working day. But that day is etched in my memory and that one phone call changed my life forever.

“I’ve just come out of the doctor. Even he was in tears when he told me it’s about the worst news possible. I’ve got pancreatic cancer.”

In that moment, time stood still. I remember taking it all in — the sick feeling in my stomach, the giant tear that dropped on my notepad smudging my writing. Then punching my desk, letting out a loud expletive and bursting into tears.

This news arrived a few months after I’d launched my new coaching business and while I was studying part-time. Initially, there was some hope and Dad started months of gruelling treatment. By the time we learnt it was terminal about a year ago, my now husband and I were engaged and frantically planning our wedding for 10 weeks later — so my Dad would see me get married.

And this is what happens in life. It sometimes throws you unexpected curveballs.

Understandably, I became overwhelmed. From the emotional toll and stress of balancing time with a sick parent, while running a business, studying and planning a wedding in such a short timeframe. In the past, as a Type-A, workaholic, over-achiever I would have kept pushing through this and ended up burnout, as I had many times before.

Thankfully, because of the mindset work I’d done and lessons learnt, I’d build enough resilience to get through a very challenging year. Here’s how I did it:

TIP #1 — SLOW DOWN, TO SPEED UP LATER

I’ve recognised the importance of slowing down — and sometimes stopping altogether. All so I can keep going and speed up later. This has led me to embrace the concept of ‘being’ versus ‘doing’: being present in the moment, doing only what I can and taking the time to process what is happening.

This may sound like counter-intuitive advice during uncertain times. However, when your brain senses danger, it activates your sympathetic nervous system and fight or flight response. If you’re worried about finances or job security, this fear response may push you to work longer and harder to sustain your business or keep your job.

Because your nervous system is already stressed, this reaction puts you at risk of further pressure or burnout. I’ve certainly learnt this lesson the hard way. Most of all, it could potentially compromise your immune system when there’s already a heightened threat to your health.

So please, slow down when you need to during this time. This will help you build resilience, manage stress — and easily speed up later!

TIP #2 — PRIORITISE SELF-CARE

I learnt to prioritise self-care during challenging times — and have built it into my schedule on an ongoing basis. For me, self-care is a morning routine of exercise and meditation, getting 8 hours sleep, putting boundaries on my working hours and a hard stop on overtime.

The anxiety we’re all experiencing right now is due to the lack of control we have over the situation. And a fear of the unknown. Take back the power by focusing on the things you can influence — your health and self-care.

Paying attention to self-care is essential right now. It will help you cope with anxiety and keep your nervous system calm. As well as protect your health and that of those around you — which is critical at this time.

What does self-care look like to you? Prioritise these activities first each day. Despite the uncertainty and disruption to your normal routine.

TIP #3 — PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION

Academic and self-compassion expert, Dr Kristin Neff says: “Self-compassion is treating yourself with the same kindness and care that you’d show to a good friend.” As a high-performer, I find it tough to slow down and can easily feel guilty about the things I don’t get done. However, I’ve learnt to practice self-compassion — and stop beating myself up for what I don’t do!

Self-compassion is about being kind to yourself, especially during times of stress and uncertainty. The current challenges can be especially frustrating for ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals. But it’s important to realise you’re only human — so don’t be so hard on yourself for the anxiety or fear you’re experiencing!

It’s crucial to maintain a balanced approach. This means allowing any negative thoughts or feelings as they appear, without getting caught up with them.

Self-care practices and looking after your physical and mental wellbeing are the key to managing your mind and building resilience at this time.

TIP #4 — REFRAMING THOUGHTS

I realised the overwhelm I was experiencing was coming from me and the pressure I was putting on myself. You see, I couldn’t control the situation, only my response to it.

Our thoughts influence our feelings, followed by our actions and results. We can’t control current circumstances and what might happen next. But we do have the power to choose how we respond — by reframing our thoughts.

For example, the thought “there’s not enough” creates hysteria and anxious feelings, extreme buying behaviour and toilet paper shortages as a result! What if we chose to believe there was more than enough to go around? Instead, we’d come from a calm, grounded place and act in a much more rational, measured way.

It’s normal to feel anxiety, panic or fear at this time. Become aware of it, allow it and let it process. But don’t stay stuck there.

Is staying glued to the news and constantly being bombarded by information serving you or hindering you? Remember, you have the power of choice. To change your perspective and how you react to current circumstances.

Yesterday, a family member mentioned a client had put a project on hold due to COVID -19. Her immediate response was to worry about workflow and the future viability of her business. However, when choosing to adopt another perspective, she realised there were 3 other projects on the horizon which could prove to be even more lucrative — and now they had time to work on them!

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learnt is this: Resilience is key to manage and overcome personal or professional setbacks.

These tips have helped me build greater resilience and conquer unexpected obstacles in my business, career and life. I hope they support you during these uncertain times and in future too.

My thoughts are with you and your loved ones at this time.

Please stay safe and reach out to me if you need some extra support right now. Whether you’re feeling anxious and are dealing with challenges at a personal level, or want some help to navigate your career or business in the current environment.

You can book a free 30 minute consult call HERE.

Stacey Back is a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach + Founder of Profile Careers. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

#1 — UNDERSTAND YOUR TARGET CLIENT

To attract the right people and ultimately turn them into paying customers, you first need to understand your ideal client.

Clarifying who your target clients are involves putting yourself in their shoes. What are their biggest frustrations and pain-points? Think about their greatest challenges as it relates to the service that you provide.

Next, ask yourself — what are their dream solutions to the problems they’re experiencing? What results are they looking to achieve in their businesses, careers or lives (insert your area of expertise)? How do you and your services help them solve these issues or reach the outcomes they’re after?

From here, you’ll use these pain-points, desired results and your solutions to craft your LinkedIn profile and create content.

#2 — KNOW WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE

How do you stand out from your competitors? What makes you unique? Why should people buy from you over other service providers in the market?

People do business with people they know, like and trust.

Think about your unique strengths, personality, personal stories and the ‘why’ behind what you do. Then use what makes you different to connect, add value and build that ‘know, like and trust’ factor with your audience.

Make a note of these points that make you stand out. Moving forward, you’ll use these to optimise the About section of your LinkedIn profile and in the unique content that you share.

#3 — YOUR HEADLINE

Your headline is your title or the statement that sits directly underneath your name on your LinkedIn profile. It’s a small but mighty piece of your profile that’s often overlooked. It appears at the top of all your posts and is visible whenever you like or comment on other people’s content.

LinkedIn headlines automatically default to the job title listed in your current role. However, it should be customised to make it clear what you do, who you work with and how you help them. For example — I help (your target clients) with (insert what you do) to/so that (insert the benefit of the service you offer).

This is especially important if you have a generic job title such as ‘Founder’, ‘Director’, or ‘Consultant’. ‘Small Business Tax Accountant’ stands out more than ‘Senior Manager’. It’s also crucial if you have a very complex title — think IT roles — where it’s unclear what you do.

Finally, think about the keywords your ideal clients enter when they’re searching for your services. Include these in your headline. You have up to 120 characters, so make it as specific as possible!

#4 — CUSTOMISE YOUR URL

I’ve come across several business owners and professionals who aren’t aware of this one. When you first set up your LinkedIn profile, you’re issued with a generic URL in the format: linkedin.com/in/(generic name).

This should be customised to your full name. For example: linkedin.com/in/staceyback. Here’s how to do this.

In desktop view

1. Click on “Edit public profile & URL” which is located in the top right corner of your profile page.
2. Then from the same location under ‘Edit your custom URL’, click the edit icon.
3. Customise your name and save.

In mobile view

1. Click the Settings icon located in the top right hand corner of your profile page.
2. From the Privacy menu, choose ‘Edit your public profile’.
3. Under the first heading, ‘Edit your custom’ URL, edit your name and save.

#5 — CREATE A POWERFUL ‘ABOUT’ SECTION THAT SELLS

Your ‘About’ section is one of the most critical parts of your LinkedIn profile. It’s where you share what makes you unique, speak directly to your target clients and explain how you help them. It’s so important, I wrote a whole article on how to create your About section.

In summary, highlight your point of difference, share your story and why you do what you do. Then, talk to your ideal client’s pain points and the solutions that you provide. This builds connection, attracts the right clients and helps develop the ‘know, like and trust’ factor.

Finally, use keywords throughout this section and finish with a clear call to action. Make it easy for people to contact you if they decide they want to work with you!

#6 — MAXIMISE YOUR ‘EXPERIENCE’ SECTION

This is one of the most underutilised areas of a LinkedIn profile. The most common mistake I see people make is not including any information under each listed position.

Start by outlining your current role. Give a bit of information about your business or employer, outline what you do, the clients you work with and the services you provide. Make your contact details easy to locate by including your email, phone number and website here.

For previous positions, provide a short summary about your company, what you do and who you work with. Highlight any key achievements or skills relevant to your current position. Think about your customer pain-points, desired results and keywords and include these throughout.

#7 — POSITION YOURSELF AS AN EXPERT

I recently looked at 20+ profiles of senior professionals and business owners. Surprisingly, not one person had ever written any articles. Publishing articles on LinkedIn is one of the easiest ways to showcase your expertise, establish yourself as a thought leader and build trust with potential clients.

Look at repurposing any other content that you’re already producing. If you’re writing articles for your business blog, journals or media publications, consider publishing this content as an article on LinkedIn. Publishing one article per week is ideal — but if you’re just getting started, aim for one or two a month.

The beauty of articles? Any original content you publish appears permanently on your LinkedIn profile. This creates instant credibility and positions you as an expert in your industry.

✶Bonus tip✶ To take this one step further, add your article to your LinkedIn profile as a Featured Post. This is a brand new LinkedIn feature that allows you to pin articles, posts, website or landing pages or media kits to the top of your LinkedIn profile, under your About section. 

#8 — SHOW UP CONSISTENTLY & ENGAGE

Sharing regular content on LinkedIn is a crucial part of connecting with your customers and adding value to your audience. It gives you the opportunity to share your unique perspective, knowledge and expertise. Create content around your client’s pain-points and the solutions that your service provides.

When posting on LinkedIn, consistency is key. Go for quality over quantity and establish a regular schedule that works for you. I post daily during the working week but 2-3 times per week is more than sufficient!

Finally, engage with other people’s content more than you post. Add a meaningful comment or like their post if you don’t have a lot of time. People are likely to reciprocate and when they do, your posts will show up in their feeds.

The more engagement — likes, comments or shares — that your post receives, the more people will see it!

Crafting your LinkedIn profile isn’t easy. However, when done effectively, optimising your LinkedIn profile will help you build your professional brand, stand out online and attract more clients. 

These tips have helped my clients and I improve and enhance our LinkedIn profiles. I hope they support you too!

Need help with your LinkedIn, career planning or another aspect of your career strategy? 

Schedule a 60 minute Career Strategy Session HERE.

Stacey Back is a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach + Founder of Profile Careers. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

#1 — TRUST THOSE ‘GUT FEELINGS’

The first step is to pay attention to those feelings and acknowledge early on if something’s not quite right.

Trust your gut. Known as our ‘second brain’, our enteric nervous system is made up of hundreds of millions of nerve cells and scientists have found it has a direct link to our brains. Our bodies are a wealth of information and shouldn’t be ignored!

A simple way to tap into this source is to tune into your body and notice your energy. Do you feel expansive or contracted? Liberated or constricted? Excitement or dread?

Don’t ignore those feelings of uneasiness about work. Start by noticing and acknowledging them.

#2 — GET TO THE ROOT OF THE ISSUE

The next step is to understand the cause. Consider what’s working and not working in your job or business.

Are there specific tasks in your role that drain you? Certain clients you dread working with? Or particular projects or work in your business that you keep putting off?

First, you want to compile a list of everything that’s working. Focus your attention here and keep doing more of what’s working.

Then, make a note of anything that’s not. How can you make changes or eliminate it all together? Do you need to say no to specific clients or the work you don’t want to do? Whatever it is, write it down.

Understanding the reasons behind your dissatisfaction helps you build awareness of what you want and will inform your decisions moving ahead.

#3 — ARE YOU OPERATING IN YOUR ZONE OF GENIUS?

As high performers in our professional roles or businesses, we often struggle to let go. And starting out as a business owner, we’re often required to do everything on our own. The only problem is, often we end up doing work that’s draining, unenjoyable and outside our area of expertise.

If this is you, it’s important to consider whether you’re operating in your zone of genius. This is the intersection between your purpose, strengths and passions. Work that gives you fulfillment and meaning — that’s aligned to what you’re good at and love to do!

To start, get clear on your zone of genius. Think about your unique skills and what drives you. What tasks, activities and connections energise (not drain) you?

Next, you want to remove anything outside your genius zone. Automate it, delegate it or delete it.

• What activities can you automate to free up more of your time? Think about book-keeping, your client onboarding process or creating email templates to respond to common customer enquiries.
• Which tasks can you delegate or outsource? If administration or technical work isn’t your area of expertise, pass these tasks onto a specialist!
• Finally, what shouldn’t be completed by you — or anyone else? Eliminate it altogether!

#4 — SPEND TIME ON THE THINGS YOU LOVE OUTSIDE WORK

Not enjoying your job like you used to? Stop putting pressure on yourself to get all of your joy and satisfaction in life from your work!

Sure, we spend a large portion of our week at work. But if it’s not making you happy, start by focusing your time on the things that are!

What do you love to do outside your business or job? Do you like to cook and host dinner parties but never have the time? Or, do you enjoy a game of tennis or reading a book — but always prioritise work?

Make time for the things that light you up. It removes the pressure and improves your happiness and wellbeing. Who knows? You might even start seeing your work in a different light!

Finally, pay attention to what excites you. It could spark some new ideas on how to find more enjoyment in your work. Consider different ways of working, skills you want to develop or areas of interest you’re keen to explore.

#5 — TAKE ACTION

Finally, start exploring what you do want as it relates to your work.

I’ve shared many insights and ideas on how to clarify your career direction or figure out what you want. It always begins by understanding who you are and what’s important to you — knowing your values and purpose. If you do end up deciding to find a new position, this article outlines practical steps to take even before you start looking for a job.

However, if you simply want to experience more enjoyment and satisfaction in your work, commit to taking consistent action. Start by dedicating just 20 minutes per day to discovering what lights you up.

If you’re a professional employee, use this time to test out new skills you want to develop in your role. Research a new career path or look into another business area in your current organisation that interests you.

As a business owner, explore new program ideas, services or different clients you want to target. This might result in you modifying your current offers, introducing new ones, making changes to the way you work or even pivoting your business completely.

The key is to pay attention to what energises you and keep taking action in that direction. Approach this step from a place of lightness, curiosity and non-attachment. From there, you’ll learn exactly what you need to tweak or change so you can start ‘falling in love’ with your work again!

These tips have helped my clients and I take control of our careers, address any challenges and only choose to do work we absolutely love. I hope they support you too! ♥️

Ready to break up with overwhelm, build a healthier relationship with your work and start designing the career you love?

Click HERE to book a free 30 minute consult and find out how coaching with me can help you!

Stacey Back is a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach + Founder of Profile Careers. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

PART 1 — GOAL-SETTING

At the start of each year, put aside some time to consider what you’d like to accomplish in your personal and professional life. Give yourself a few hours to get clear on your vision, set your goals and create a plan to reach them.

I like to do this process every 6 months — in January, at the start of a new calendar year and in July (the beginning of a new financial year in Australia).

Step #1 — Do a brain dump

Write everything down — all of those to-do’s, important events, your 2020 goals (even the ones you’re still hanging onto from 2019!). Think about the holidays you wish to take this year, birthday’s and the big business projects you want to complete — like a new program or product launch.

Get ALL of those ideas and to-do’s out of your head and onto paper!

Step #2 — Priorities, passion & profit

Next, cross out anything that’s NOT truly important, or that you don’t genuinely want to dedicate time or energy to this year. For your work or business, prioritise activities that make you money.

What do you want to say YES to this year? At this point, eliminate any ‘should-do’s or ‘nice-to have’s’. Any goals that make the cut need to be a clear YES!

Pay particular attention to any goals that appear on your to-do list year after year. The ones that somehow never get completed. Ask yourself — do I really want to commit to this goal?

Step #3 — Diarise

Once you’ve got a list of your 2020 goals, schedule each project under a different month in your calendar. Start by entering important dates (birthdays, holidays, business events — such as launches or conferences) and prioritise the remaining tasks throughout the year.

Be decisive, prioritise what’s most important and be realistic about what is possible for you to complete each month.

Step #4 — Separate projects & tasks

Finally, start creating a list of all the key projects you plan to work on throughout the year. For each project, map out the exact steps you’ll need to take to make sure the project is completed. List each as a separate task under each project.

Moving forward, you’ll use this main task list to plan your weeks and days ahead of time. Be sure to keep adding new projects and tasks to this list throughout the year.

PART #2 — PLANNING

Ever heard the saying — failing to plan is planning to fail? Setting goals is important but creating a plan to reach them on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is essential if you want to stay on track and actually achieve them!

Step #1 — 90 day planning

Once you’ve listed out your annual goals, establish a plan for the next 90 days. Trying to work on all of your goals at once is unrealistic and will only lead to overwhelm!

The beauty of planning ahead in 3 month chunks is that it allows you to focus on a few key goals each quarter. This makes accomplishing your goals much more realistic and achievable.

Review your main project list and calendar for the quarter and select your top 3 goals that you’ll prioritise completing over the next 90 days.

Step #2 — Commit to a weekly planning practice

Next, choose a set time on a weekly basis to plan the week ahead. Warning — don’t skip this step!

Making weekly planning a habit is essential if you want to reach your goals, so select a time you know you can commit to.

I like to do this on a Friday afternoon before I finish up for the weekend. Many consultants and business owners do their weekly planning on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon. Set aside a time when you know you can show up consistently — the process should take you 20 minutes, tops.

First, check in on your top 3 goals for the quarter and your task list if necessary. Choose a maximum of 3 projects to work on in the week ahead.

Second, based on these priority projects, allocate specific tasks for the week ahead and include a completion date for each. Your tasks are the action steps you’ll be working on throughout the week to complete each project. Always prioritise the tasks that move the needle in your business or role.

Finally, anything that you don’t complete will get moved to the following week.

Step #3 — Your daily plan

By putting your weekly plan in place at the end of each week, you’ll know exactly where to start on Monday morning! In addition, you’ll want to spend a few minutes at the beginning and end of each day to check in on your weekly plan.

Review your weekly plan each morning and prioritise the top 3 activities to work on that day. Get clear on the number one task you need to complete above anything else. Then, start there before you dive into emails or social media.

Finally, take 10 minutes at the end of your day to review your progress and update your weekly task list. Ask yourself:

• What 3 things am I celebrating today?
• What’s the number one priority I need to focus on tomorrow?

To stay motivated, it’s important to celebrate every step along the way. This will keep you on track to completing your goals. No task or action is too small!

Step #4 — Manage your time

Lastly, batch similar tasks to work more efficiently and consider when you perform at your best throughout the day. For example, I coach on set days, allocate time for marketing and creative work and schedule important meetings from mid-morning when I’m more energised.

Additionally, to avoid multi-tasking and improve productivity, focus on one task at a time. If you’re ever stuck in overwhelm, procrastination or simply don’t know what to prioritise, ask yourself this: What’s the one best step I can take right now?

So, there you have it. The exact goal-setting and planning process I use each year to set the right goals and achieve more — with less stress. I hope this helps you too!

Ready to crush your goals this year and make 2020 your best year yet? Book your free initial 30 minute consult HERE to get started!

Stacey Back is a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach + Founder of Profile Careers. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.

Confidential information

For confidential examples, briefly outline the nature of the client and project in generic terms, being careful not to disclose any identifying information. If in doubt, don’t include it.

What do you do?

This is the key point from your resume that all employers are looking to understand. If you do this well, it can be the difference between securing an interview – or not.

When using examples, rather than simply providing a list of deals or projects that you have been involved with, take this one step further by clearly defining your personal role and responsibilities for that project.

Gaps on your resume

If you took some time out between roles to travel or have a short career break, make sure you address it. It’s always more professional to take ownership and give a brief (and reasonable) explanation, rather than leaving obvious gaps on your resume and hoping an employer doesn’t notice.

Contact Details

Make sure your contact information is easy to find and include your mobile number, email address and link to your professional LinkedIn profile. Provide a personal email address, not your work one and if you don’t have a professional sounding personal email address, set up a new gmail or hotmail address in your name. Also, leave off your residential address at this stage. That’s all that is needed for an employer to contact you regarding your job application.

Final tips

Avoid elaborate formatting, colour and graphics. Use a clear structure, traditional font style and text size that is simple and easy to read. A photo is unnecessary and shouldn’t be included on your resume. Limit it to your LinkedIn profile and if you are directing employers there by including a link in your resume, make sure your LinkedIn profile picture is professional.

Do check your spelling and grammar carefully and get a trusted friend to proof read your resume before sending it out. Also, make sure your contact information is up to date and accurate so employers have no issues getting in touch with you for an interview!

These are my top resume tips that have assisted many professionals that I’ve worked with over the past decade. I hope they help you too!

Are you seeking further support to change or develop your career? Click HERE to book a free 30 minute consult and find out how coaching with me can help you!

Stacey Back is a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach + Founder of Profile Careers. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.