What can we learn from Frozen 2 about finding a fulfilling career?

I have to come clean and say that I LOVE Frozen 2, and not just because I have a four year old, though that probably helps. Brave, pioneering female characters, supportive men, good friends (made of snow), and a reindeer boy band …. what else do you need? But forgetting the catchy tunes for a second, it’s clear to me as a career development professional that the film is really all about Elsa’s journey towards understanding her drivers, skills and values and finding her place in the world – so what can we learn from her?

Listen to the Voice – If there is a niggling idea, or an intangible thought that you are continually drawn back to, perhaps you should follow it. It could be a project you want to work on, a skill you want to develop, a job title you can imagine yourself in, a new industry, a feeling of balance, whatever it is, spending some ‘listening’ to that inner voice could be the spark that sets you going.

If you have to cross a frozen ocean don’t forget to lasso a water horse – OK, this one is a bit tenuous, but it’s a reminder that we don’t need to tackle the biggest career challenges alone. Finding a sponsor or a mentor can give you the boost you need to find your next role, or achieve a promotion, or complete a piece of work.

Don’t get stuck on what you ‘ought’ to be doing – At the end of the film, Elsa decides to live in the forest and hands over the crown of Arandelle to Anna. It’s so easy to feel the weight of the expectations that others have for us, and to believe that status and reward are important. Elsa finds the place that she is supposed to be, and it’s a simple life, in nature where she can be free to use her magic

“When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing” – I often speak to people who feel they are failing because they don’t have a clear idea of what they want their future and their career to look like. This quote (From Pabbie, who is a troll, but not the twitter kind) reminds us that small steps in the right direction, like developing a new skill, or passing an exam, or phoning someone for a chat about a job are enough at this point in time.

So now we are no longer lost in the wood, let's remember that some things never change, but sometimes we need to let it go - so let's step into the unknown. (and drop me a message if you need a hand!)

#frozen2 #thenextrightthing #listen #magic #careerjourney #careerdevelopment