In our last post, we discussed the fourth technique Daisy Dowling recommended to tackle the BIG challenge of working parenthood. In this post, we will move on to her fifth technique: Play-Forward Career Opportunities.
The Fifth Technique: Play Forward Career Opportunities
One of the last BIG challenges Daisy recognizes in a variety of working parents is self-doubt and caution in terms of taking the next step in their career. If you do not want to swap your ship and react with caution about raising your hand, taking on a new project, or being concerned about taking the next step, it can hinder your ability to advance in your career. If you find yourself in these shoes, you are not alone. Although these worries are well-founded and reasonable, over time, this thoughtfulness and over-cautiousness can prevent you from being in the role or position you want.
Taking on new things can be scary, especially as you already have so much on your plate; however, Daisy Dowling suggests thinking through some of your decision moments as you move through your career and play forward what they might look like in your day-to-day. This technique may help you realize that this new career challenge may not be as scary or consequential as it might seem. She recognizes that not every new career challenge or decision moment will fit into your day-to-day or may align with the way you want to manage your life at home, but playing things forward can help you better examine the possibilities, risks, and ways to manage around those risks when considering a new challenge.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when thinking about how this new challenge might fit in with your life:
- “Is there some additional help I might be able to get on the homefront?”
- “Are there different ways I can negotiate with my boss and colleagues to get more support on my team so I can delegate more?”
- “Is this project a short- or long-term commitment?”
Want To Learn More?
Click here to be redirected to Daisy Dowling’s Mothers Lead the Way video and follow along for the next series of techniques presented by Daisy Dowling.
Also, check out Daisy’s book, Workparent: The Complete Guide to Succeeding on the Job, Staying True to Yourself, and Raising Happy Kids.
References and Further Reading
Dowling, D. (2021). Workparent: The Complete Guide to Succeeding on the Job, Staying True to Yourself, and Raising Happy Kids. Harvard Business Review Press.