What is your career is not as straight-edged and vertical as a ladder, but more like a spiral? Particularly now, it’s important that we all cut ourselves quite a bit of slack when we find ourselves considering or accepting paid positions doing jobs that are sometimes so out of left field for us, we feel like we fell right off the career ladder!

But perhaps a more helpful metaphor for our work histories is that of the spiral. Spirals move up and down, of course, but they can also roll on their sides, and even bounce or walk down stairs! For example, if you are used to doing clerical work in one industry, and get a similar job in a different industry for less pay but more opportunity for growth, how do you determine whether your move was “up” or “down”? Rather, your career may be spiraling in an upwards direction, while temporarily you may feel like you are moving sideways.

Remember, whatever work you do, you are taking your history with you to the job and you are using that history to create your future. Some of the most helpful lessons I have learned, in the many jobs I have held, is what not to do and how not to treat people! I have become aware of more subtleties and deeper structures in the workplace than I was as a younger woman. Being able to navigate these often treacherous waters has made me crash on the rocks far less often now. If you are struggling to find work, remember how much you have learned to get to this place, and rest assured that as long as you are flexible and open, you have the chance to do many new things…even starting your own business! If you are contemplating a career move, remember the image of the spiral: as long as you feel there is a smooth, flowing motion to your move, be open to it. Good luck!