This is an actual exercise I give to clients. It's called the 12-person exercise and it's great for professionals who aren't sure about their next career choice or are changing industries or job status (employee to entrepreneur). It's simple, free and it can be done in short period of time.
You will need a pen, paper and a list of the 12 closest people in your life. The objective of the exercise is to tell all of these people what kind of work you want to do, in a way that they can understand.
What this does is sharpen your skill in communicating your need and want for work. Because the 12-people in your life are probably different ages, with different background and different roles in your life, you will have to shape your language to fit the dialogue that is appropriate for them. Sharpening that skill of communication yields these results:
- Overcome any hesitancy you have about verbalizing your ideal job
- Reconnect with people who are close to you about a real need in your life
- Open an opportunity or connection that you might not have otherwise found
