Who is cheering you on?

I often talk about the importance of networking for our careers, the people you know, and the people you connect with.  It’s well worth building up your networking skills as part of your career strategy.  At the end of the day, it’s really just about making friends. Sometimes smaller is better!

Career Champions.

Recently, I was reminded of my own concept of having ‘career champions’ – a small group of people who really know you well who you can chat to and pray with about your career. People who have your back, are in your corner, know how to encourage you, how to pray for you, are there for your support. You can read more about this in my book God’s GRACE for Your Career https://www.godsgraceforyourcareer.com/godsgraceforyourcareer

Over the years I have found my small prayer triplet the natural place to find my career champions.

I can be totally honest about my fears and worries as well as being open to their counsel, because I know they will be listening to God too.

Jesus tells us, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”(Matthew 18:20).

What a privilege to know He is there with us, listening to our conversation, guiding our prayers, encouraging our faith. 

Aaron and Hur supported Moses when he grew weary.

I often think of the time when Moses’s arms grew tired when he was holding up his staff in the battle against the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:11-13). Aaron and Hur found a stone for Moses to sit on and “held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset” and the enemy was defeated.

For me this is a great example of what my prayer triplet does for me as my career champions. They hold me up in prayer in the hard times and they celebrate with me in the good times. They provide advice and counsel without judgement. 

But don’t just take my word for it! 

I interviewed Sue, a Doctor, for my book and this is what she says about her prayer triplet. 

“I think it's a really safe space, where I can say anything, and I know it won't be repeated. I can be me. And I will be loved and supported but I will also be challenged, so there’s accountability there as well. It’s not just earthly wisdom but knowing that friends are praying and listening for God’s voice for me, especially when you’re in the thick of things and can’t always hear God’s voice clearly for yourself.

I’ve gone through some very difficult decisions in my career, about what work to take on or which direction to go in or when I’ve been considering different options or doors have closed on something I wanted. I’ve been able to be at peace about those things rather than angry because I’ve known my prayer triplet have prayed for me and with me and I’ve been able to hold decisions lightly and leave them with God. Having these people listening to God and giving me Christian counsel has been invaluable.”

We are not meant to go it alone.

We are not meant to search for God’s purpose for our career in isolation. So, it’s really important to establish who these important people will be.

This shouldn’t take too much thought! You will already know who these people are.

They are the people you can share your career ideas and considerations with. People who know you well and who you can trust, who encourage and champion you, who help fill you with confidence, who you feel really at ease speaking to.

You don’t need an invitation to speak with them; there’s no agenda, the relationship is natural and there is support and encouragement from people who have your best interests at heart. 

Two-way relationships.

These relationships are two-way, give and take, so there are times when they will be supporting you in your career and times when you will be supporting them.

Just as an aside it’s highly likely you won’t just discuss your careers with these people. Of course, you’ll be discussing lots of other areas of your life with them as well!

Who are your career champions?

Make a note of their names and pray for them.

Reflect on how often you speak with them, when was the last time you met up?

Give thanks for them and ask God that they might speak into your life about your career.

How might you offer them support in return?