What do you want next?
You can work out what you want and when you want it. Follow this simple guide by asking yourself the following set of questions. These questions need to be worked through systematically. The first section “The Past” will be useful in identifying from your experiences what you no longer want in your life and equally important what areas you want to improve and enjoy.

The Past
What were you trying to achieve?
What have you achieved?
How realistic have you been about your workload /hours of work?
Have you been stressed, stretched or bored?
How have you made the best use of your talents/skills?
Which of your weaknesses have you tried to eliminate?
Which of your strengths have you tried to enhance?
How have you controlled; Money and Resources? People? Time?

The Present
What are your skills?
Technical - knowledge of your specialist area; knowledge of products/services; knowledge of organisations; knowledge of outside organisations/competition.
Practical - Communication skills; written, verbal, presentational, visual.
How well do you motivate yourself?
How well do you motivate other people?
By being firm and giving clear directions?
How well do you delegate?
How well do you organise others?
How well do you keep your eye on long-term aims and ambitions?
How well do you plan your work, life and money?
How good are you at making decisions?
How creative are you?
How effective are your problem solving skills?
Do you have empathy/understand other people’s feeling?.
How assertive are you?
How persuasive are you?
How accommodating are you?
How high are your standards?
What improvement can be made to these?
Have you met them?
How loyal are you?
How energetic are you?
When do you work best?

The Future
What should you achieve over the next three months / six months/ year?
What would you like to achieve?
What training do you need?
What will you read?
Who will you meet to give you advice?
Which of your strengths will you enhance?
Which of your weaknesses will you reduce?