Category: Career Development

Beyond Work is our line of resources for people and community leaders looking for something new and innovative, be it a new job, career change, or personal development outside of work. Read this category specifically for Career Development.

  • When to Start, Stop, or Stay: Navigating Your Next Right Thing

    When to Start, Stop, or Stay: Navigating Your Next Right Thing

    A few years ago, Mary Ila shared an insight that continues to resonate: “The next activity you need to do with your leaders? Ask: What needs to start, stop, or stay?”

    It is a simple yet powerful framework. We often apply it to organizations and teams, but not always to ourselves. Today, I want to circle back and reflect on how we can apply that lens personally.

    When do we know it is time to start something new, stop something we have been doing for a while, or make a tough call about whether to stay put or leap into something entirely different?

    A Personal Reflection

    Several years ago, I was approached to do some contract work supporting individuals in transition, both logistically and in their careers. It was meaningful, energizing work. It did not interfere with my role at HPC, and it even enhanced it. The stories, challenges, and lessons I gathered from those contract clients often made their way into the training sessions I facilitated. It was truly a win-win.

    Fast forward seven years. I still enjoyed the work, but it had started consuming more of my weekends. Meanwhile, my responsibilities at HPC had expanded, as had my salary. I was also receiving more and more local referrals for resume writing, outside the scope of my contract work.

    I wrestled with the decision to stop for nearly a year. The work was fulfilling, but it no longer aligned with the season of life I was in. When I finally chose to step away, it felt bittersweet, but ultimately, it was the right move. As Greg McKeown says in Essentialism, “You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” That reminder helped me focus on what truly mattered.

    How to Decide What to Start, Stop, or Stay With

    My process for making this decision aligned closely with a favorite book I often recommend: The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman (find it on our Bookshelf). It offers gentle wisdom for navigating uncertain seasons. One of her guiding questions, “What is the next right thing in love?” became a compass for my own reflection.

    Here is what helped me find clarity:

    1. Make a Pros and Cons List
      It is classic for a reason. Getting your thoughts down on paper brings objectivity to an emotional decision.

    2. Talk to Mentors and Trusted Advisors
      Do not go it alone. I leaned on people who know me well, including Mary Ila, our CEO, and my husband. Their honest feedback helped me see the bigger picture.

    “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

    But sometimes, you also have to protect the energy that allows you to serve others sustainably.

    1. Ask the Hard Questions

    • If I start something new, what will I have to stop?

    • What is currently working that I need to let stay?

    • What is no longer aligned, even if it is still “good”?

    These questions brought clarity and gave me the courage to choose what served me best personally and professionally.

    For Leaders: Are You Supporting Your Team’s “Next Right Thing”?

    If you are in leadership, consider how you are helping your team members navigate their own Start, Stop, Stay questions. (If you have not read our piece on Should I Let My Employees Have Side Gigs?, it is worth a look.)

    We love helping teams explore this framework in real time through retreats and training. There is power in making space to pause and reflect, individually and together. How can we support your organization?

  • Coaching Moment: Ikigai for Career Development

    Coaching Moment: Ikigai for Career Development

    What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question we’ve all heard (and probably asked) a hundred times. The truth is, career development is less about picking one answer and more about figuring out what makes life meaningful.

    In our latest Coaching Moment video, Taylor shares how we introduce educators in Alabama to the idea of Ikigai—a Japanese word that simply means “reason for being.” Think of it as the place where passion, skill, purpose, and paycheck overlap. Or, in other words, the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning.

    Here’s how the activity works:

    • Write down what you love.

    • List what the world needs.

    • Think about what you’re good at.

    • Add what you can get paid for.

    Once you’ve got three or so ideas in each box, start looking for themes. That’s where the magic happens.

    And it’s not just a fun exercise. Researchers have found that people with a strong sense of ikigai enjoy better health, lower stress, and even longer lives. Other studies show that lifestyle and community support play a big role in shaping our sense of purpose too.

    Universities are paying attention as well. Johns Hopkins encourages students to use ikigai to line up passion with career choices. And Harvard Macy Institute points out how reflecting on ikigai can help educators reconnect with meaning in their work.

    So next time you (or someone you’re coaching) feels stuck on career decisions, pull out a sheet of paper and try the ikigai exercise. You might be surprised at what you uncover.

    👉 Watch the Coaching Moment video to see Taylor walk through the activity and discover your own reason for being.

  • Back to School: Assessments are Beneficial for Each Phase of Life

    Back to School: Assessments are Beneficial for Each Phase of Life

    It’s that time again, back to school, back to campus, back to the busyness of fall! As we move to a new season of the year, many of us are also moving to a new phase of life. Assessments can be beneficial at all stages. Here are a few we recommend.

    Beginning Middle School: 

    Now’s the time for exploration! Middle schoolers typically have access to assessments at school that allows for exploration. Here are a couple of others we recommend:

    What’s Your Learning Style?

    Your Free Career Test

    Career Spotlight videos on YouTube are also great for this age group!

    Beginning High School/Starting College:

    Any Holland-based assessment is ideal for this stage. Holland assessments are interest-based & tie into personality also. At Horizon Point, we utilize the STRONG Interest Inventory. Another assessment we recommend (that is free) is My Next Move. It is a short assessment & a great starting point for finding out about interests and potential career fields.

    Informational interviews and/or job shadows are also great for this stage!

    Mid-Career Change:

    16 Personalities – This assessment is also free & provides your MBTI (personality type). I don’t typically recommend personality assessments for high schoolers since personality can change a bit as we move into adulthood. This assessment offers insight into personality, ideal work environments & more.

    Did you know we offer assessments & training packages at Horizon Point? Contact us today to learn more  – info@horizonpointconsulting.com or tbs@horizonpointconsulting.com.

  • What Do You Need to Add to Your Professional Development Toolbox?

    What Do You Need to Add to Your Professional Development Toolbox?

    Earlier this summer, I facilitated a Zoom session with a small group of employees to gather feedback on a new training initiative. The discussion was eye-opening. While a few participants voiced concerns about the perceived bureaucracy around required training, others shared that they had already implemented some of the tools and were eager for their colleagues to experience the same growth.

    My biggest takeaway? When rolling out professional development (PD) opportunities, it’s essential to invite your team into the process. Be transparent about the “why” behind the training. Let people know it’s not just a box to check—it’s a pathway for their personal growth and a strategy to drive organizational success.

    This week, I’ll be in Mississippi speaking with educators about building a Professional Development Toolbox (follow along with all of our events here). Shortly after, I’ll head to Mobile, Alabama to kick off a PD course with another group of dedicated educators. Despite being in different locations and varied groups, the message is the same: professional development is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for organizations that want to thrive.

    Whether you’re supporting teachers, tech teams, or healthcare workers, the tools you include in your PD toolbox may differ—but the framework remains consistent:

    1. Identify what your organization needs to operate effectively and stay competitive.
    2. Align those needs with the existing or aspirational skill sets of your employees.
    3. Provide the tools, resources, and opportunities that allow people to grow—and in turn, help your organization flourish.

    As the saying goes, “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” – Henry Ford

    When professional development is done well, it’s not just about skill-building. It’s about cultivating a culture of curiosity, ownership, and continual growth.

    For ideas on how to get started, check out these previous blog posts:

    Ask us at HPC how we can help you expand your professional development toolbox!

  • From Classroom to Career: Supporting Growth at Every Stage

    From Classroom to Career: Supporting Growth at Every Stage

    This week, we kickoff a continued education course for K-12 educators focused on supporting career development growth for every grade, from classroom to career. Reflecting on content, I also thought about what supporting career development looks like for employers. In our training with educators, we try to connect student growth and learning about careers with workforce development. What do our students, employees, and our community need to thrive?

    “The best way to predict the future is to create it—through education, mentorship, and opportunity.” — Adapted from Peter Drucker

    The National Society of Leadership and Success has developed “Career Development 101: A Complete Guide to Professional Growth” which backs up our approach to lifelong learning. The guide says, “Career development helps you stand out in front of employers, compete in today’s job market, and grow within a company. The process of career development is just as important for students as it is for those currently in the workforce.”

    For students –  awareness, exploration and readiness for what follows high school is key. Those students will become tomorrow’s employees. So how can employers continue the development from classroom to career?

    3 Roles for Employers in Career Development

    Continuous Learning Opportunities

    Think tuition reimbursement and offering a budget for professional development. Check out Nourish Your Growth in 2025: Why Learning Should be on Your Agenda for ideas on learning.

    Employee Driven Pathways to Their Next Right Thing

    Grow your own leaders! Pouring into employees helps the entire organization rise. Everyone should have a “coach”  and “cheerleader” for their professional development gameplan. Check out 4 Ways to Get Unstuck with Professional Development for more ways to support employees.

    Total Rewards

    Does your rewards package support the desire to grow and do good work? How do you reward employees? Here are 5 Ideas for Retaining Talent in a Tough Labor Market.

    If you need more support for your supporting development, reach out to us at HPC. We’d love to help!