Recently, I had the privilege to interact with Dr. Jenny Woo, a Harvard-trained educator, emotional intelligence researcher, and founder of Mind Brain Emotion, who offers a refreshing approach to understanding our career trajectories. By applying the concept of “seasons” to our professional lives, we can gain valuable insights into the natural ebb and flow of our careers.
Dr. Woo, whose work at Mind Brain Emotion was incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs, suggests breaking down our professional journey into four distinct seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. This framework can be applied to a single year or span an entire career, providing a holistic view of our professional growth.
- Fall: The Harvest Season. In this phase, we reap the rewards of our hard work. It’s a time to gather the fruits of our labor, celebrate achievements, and reflect on our successes. For many, this might mean closing deals, receiving recognition, or reaching important milestones.
- Winter: The Incubation Period. Winter represents a time of introspection and planning. It’s when we retreat inward, reassess our goals, and strategize for the future. This season is crucial for professional development, as it allows us to incubate new ideas and prepare for upcoming challenges.
- Spring: Sprouting and Rebirth. As winter thaws, spring brings new beginnings. In our careers, this translates to implementing fresh ideas, starting new projects, or even pivoting in a new direction. It’s a season of growth, learning, and embracing change.
- Summer: Cultivation and Activity. Summer is the season of intense activity. We work diligently to nurture our projects, expand our networks, and drive sales. This high-energy period is when we actively cultivate opportunities and put our plans into action.
By viewing our professional lives through this seasonal lens, we can better understand and embrace the natural cycles of our careers. It helps us recognize that periods of rest and reflection (Winter) are just as important as times of intense activity (Summer). Moreover, it encourages us to appreciate each phase for its unique contributions to our overall growth. By acknowledging and working with these seasons, we can cultivate a more balanced, fulfilling, and successful career.
Happy Networking!
P.S. – For more from Dr. Jenny Woo, take a listen to our Enterprise.ing podcast discussion, “Mastering Emotional Intelligence,” in which she references this notion of seasons.