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 Your Side Gig Deserves Center Stage

    When Your Side Gig Deserves Center Stage

    We’ve been talking about side gigs lately. One of the toughest parts is deciding if or when to make the side gig the main gig. It’s often not as simple as we’d like it to be.

    A few weeks ago, I spent some time in Virginia with my parents and brought along a small project, an old desk I’d found at a thrift store for $20. It had good bones but had definitely seen better days.

    My dad and I spent the week together in his woodworking shop, sanding, repairing, and refinishing it until it was restored to its former glory. Somewhere between the smell of sawdust and the hum of the sander, I learned that the desk was more than a hundred years old and made of solid walnut, a piece that had clearly stood the test of time.

    Watching my dad work reminded me how he’s done the same thing with his own career. What started years ago as a hobby, tinkering in his workshop on weekends, has now become part of his full-time work. After decades in construction, he’s blended his craftsmanship with his trade, flipping houses that feature his custom woodworking, accent walls, built-in bookcases, and hand-crafted cabinets that give each home its own story.

    That desk became more than a project. It was a reminder that sometimes what we start on the side, simply because we love it, can evolve into something much bigger. According to a recent study by Side Hustle Nation, 39% of working Americans have a side hustle, and about one in five hope to eventually turn it into a full-time job. It’s not always easy to know when it’s time to take that leap, but there are signs it might be time to let your side gig take center stage.

    Just like restoring that old desk revealed the strength of the wood beneath the surface, your side gig can show signs of its own potential if you take the time to notice them.

    When…your side gig is financially sustainable.

    Your side gig is showing steady, reliable growth. You have repeat customers, new ones finding you regularly, and your income has moved from covering basic costs to turning a profit. You’re not just staying afloat, you’re seeing enough green to pay essential expenses and keep the business running. Better yet, it’s bringing in enough money to replace or nearly replace your current salary.

    When…you’re running out of time and energy.

    With steady growth comes the need for more time, and there are only so many hours in the day. You find yourself waking up early or staying up late to keep up with demand, juggling both your full-time job and your side gig. Eventually, something has to give. When you can’t devote the time your side gig needs, growth stalls and sales may even start to dip. That’s often a sign your business has outgrown the “part-time” label.

    When…your passion has shifted.

    What started as a creative outlet or a way to earn a little extra each month has become the work that brings you the most joy. You find yourself energized by your side gig and counting down the hours until you can get back to it. Meanwhile, your full-time job starts to feel more like an obligation than an opportunity. When your passion shifts that strongly, it’s worth paying attention. It may be pointing you toward what you’re truly meant to do.

    Like that old walnut desk, sometimes the things we start just for the love of it reveal a strength and potential we didn’t see at first. When your side gig shows financial promise, demands more of your time and energy, and becomes the work that truly lights you up, it might be more than just a hobby. It might be your next chapter waiting to unfold.

    Taking the leap isn’t about abandoning stability. It’s about building on something that’s already proven its worth. As you consider what you need to start, stop, and stay, both personally and professionally, ask yourself what your side gig could become if you gave it your full attention.

  • 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!