On Aspirations, Achievements and Advisors

Aspen Splendor 

Bridger - Teton National Forest, Wyoming - 2013

Your Advisors Are an Important Element of Your Personal and Professional Success

When people think about their personal and professional success, it is natural to think that it is largely the result of their own effort. Upon further reflection, they usually recognize how they benefited from those that cared about their well-being, advised and mentored them.

Personal guides that probably influenced your life are personified by parents, family, friends, teachers, consultants, coaches, professors and mentors. Sometimes you may learn pearls of wisdom from those you barely know. There are times when your other best friend, a book, illuminates your life.

My Giants and Gratitude

I have benefitted immensely from all of the above, initially during my lengthy, formal education. I recognized early on the enormous value they bestowed upon me and I thanked them accordingly. As time progressed, I felt gratitude even more deeply for those who cared and cheered me on to various successes.

At some point in time, like me, your formal training came to an end.  Yet the pursuit of excellence requires that personal and professional development continue throughout life. 

You and Your Development

I believe that your deliberate effort toward a particular goal should also have as its purpose the fulfillment of your potential.

That purpose is more assuredly achieved by continuing to learn from your experience as well as from others. I am certain that from the beginning to the end of your career, you will benefit from the counsel of individuals who can help you overcome the myriad of numerous challenges you will surely face.

As you reflect upon this, you will probably conclude that there are a variety of individuals who have advised you in the course of your career. Collectively they comprise a type of advisory board that I refer to as your Personal Board of Directors.

They are likely to have advised you on a variety of topics over the years. You have developed mutual respect and appreciation for each other. You may have served them by providing advice and counsel on their unique challenges.

Then there is one challenge that we all have in common. That is the approaching End of Career.

It is at this time that these individuals that you know well, can be very helpful to you.

Who Are the Members of Your Board?

Your informal Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from varied walks of life. You value their wisdom, advice and have developed mutual respect.

Your Board members may be paid professionals whom you compensate such an attorney, accountant, financial planner, consultant/coach, etc. They may be spiritual advisors such as a priest, pastor, rabbi or others.

There are often times when your spouse is invaluable in this regard. The same is true of a colleague. 

Then there are times when your child has grown and developed into a mature adult whose counsel you value and seek.

These persons have in common a particular quality: they have earned your confidence to advise you in a manner that is in your best interest…even when they know it is hard for you to hear it.

They also have in common their confidence in you to be respectful and appreciative of their well-intended advice…and that it will not affect your relationship. 

In addition to the above, they each know that they can depend on you to serve them when needed, in the manner that you are able.

There are a number of qualities that I believe your Board members should have in order to best serve your needs. These are examples:

• Character
• Virtue
• Judgement 
• Intelligence
• Insight
• Experience
• Loyalty
• Discretion
• Courage

 Your Board and the Light That Illuminates You

There are times in people’s lives when they are inclined to feel very alone in a moment of darkness; that they are the only ones capable of shedding light on an obscure problem. Sometimes that is true and it is necessary to summon the qualities they uniquely possess to succeed. More often than not, the outcome is better when they exercise the insight and courage to ask for help from those they respect.

The approaching End of Career is a time for joy of anticipation. Yet, sometimes it also creates an element of stress due to an unknown path and lack of preparation. It is at such times that reaching for guidance can illuminate your path. So reach for it…

You may already have individuals that collectively, you can conceptualize as your Personal Board of Directors.

I encourage you to speak with them. Tell them you value them so much that you want them to have this special role…and that you are also there for them anytime. You and they probably know this already.  Nevertheless, this is an elegant reminder that you value them and your relationship.

Perhaps you are at an early stage of your career or the idea of your personal board is new to you. If that is the case, I encourage you to consider creating your Personal Board of Directors. Begin by identifying those individuals who exemplify the qualities you consider essential. You may know someone who has already emerged that you may wish to invite to be a member of your Board. To do so is an expression of recognition and gratitude that will probably serve you well for years to come.

Date Updated: October 9, 2021

PS: By the way, do you want to learn more from me about how to get the most out of your life now and begin to prepare for your End of Career Transition as well as the next great phase of your life? I would like to help you. I provide consulting and coaching services that are tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for a complimentary consultation.

The Teton Range

Grand Teton National Park, WY - 2007