3Gs for self-empowerment: Thriving in uncertain times and beyond
(a pragmatic guide from a product design leader)
Before I found my career direction, and clearly define my ‘value proposition’ as a product designer. I spent a great amount of time searching for what resonates to my soul, that was in between 2007–2015. It is another story to tell. I learned from multiple jobs in the past, as an art director, an entrepreneur, lecturer, part-time art teacher for special-needs kid. We cannot be true to our values without knowing ourselves – simply put:
- What makes you happy?
- How do you see yourself today?
- Who do you want to become tomorrow?
With that, we can move on with making a plan out of it – If we fail to plan, we are planning to fail.
It is important for me to align personal values at work. I have developed 3 fundamentals over the years, to help me identify the right job — one that is fulfilling and sustainable. I will know, when these criterias are positive:
- Problem solving: I possess the skills and expertise necessary to address challenges within industries that align with my interests, such as healthcare, financial services, and renewable energy
- People first: the team structure, functionalities and disciplines in the company is rightly setup for me to be suceed in my role. For example, business intelligence team, that can support my work with data
- Aligned values: this lies in my observation to gauge from what it is portrayed in news coverage of their mission, vision, values, and key leaders’ leadership style. Understanding these aspects is utmost important because it ensures that even during moments of debate or disagreement, we can establish common ground to collaborate effectively. I learned that I appreciate company participating in sustainability initiatives or related portfolio.
In order for me to also be the right fit for the right job that meets my fundamentals. There were tangible steps that enabled me to pivot from a designer with mixed experiences, i.e. graphic & print design, stage design (roadshow), digital agency art director / web designer, design educator; to a product design practitioner.
During the transition, at one point was quite daunting, and feeling extremely alone. It took me from feeling lost to self-aware, then to self-empowerment one-step at a time, to realise how I can accurately achieve my goals. The 3Gs are what I have used for myself, and guided my mentees in shifting roles and levelling up as a designer.
3G = Goals + Gaps + Guts and Grit
To help myself and my team members in developing plans for growth and follow through. The owner’s job is to set his / her goals and I help identifying gaps, with both goals and gaps, we have an executable plan.
1. Start with end – Goal(s)
Goals are steps to a grand vision. Underpinning what you value, and aspirations of your visualised future-self. They can come in a form of timely and measurable milestones.
For example, as a fresh graduate, I want to become a UX researcher in a year’s time. At times when we feel lost or overwhelmed, it is always ok to start with a shorter-term, bite-sized goals. Such as, watch and learn from a UXR YouTuber for 21 days.
While SMART could be a good guide for goal-setting. It should be motivating enough to realise your achievement e.g. by next year I would get $xx,xxx monthly salary. Whichever works best for you.
2. Mind the Gaps?
Taking actions towards your goals is crucial. Identifying the gaps, as if drawing the line for you to know what you need to get from point A to point B.
This is where you learn about your strengths and weaknesses. Trust this process to shift your ‘gaps to good’.
3. Then, Guts and … grit
Questions to ask yourself at this point, when you have your 2Gs above.
- Do I have what it takes to reach my goals?
- Am I willing to go out of my comfort zone? (plus, how uncomfortable I can tolerate)
- Am I ready to face adversities alone?
- Am I okay to own my mistakes?
- Can I pick myself up if I fell?
The last ingredient to your plan is having the guts to relentlessly say ‘yes’ to all questions above.
This is not just about planning your career; it’s about creating a self-sufficient, and empowering journey that truly fulfils you.
If you do not, or have not found the right approach to your career path yet. Let me know if this works for you. And what you’d suggest to complement them.
