I’m not a big fan of daytime TV. However, I must admit that on the odd occasion I’ve found myself watching a few years ago now a show called “Wanted down under”.

Each episode has a different family who have decided to weigh up the pros and cons about making a fundamental change in their lives by moving to sunnier climbs. No, not Swindon…Australia!

The concept of the show is simple. The family fly out to their intended Australian destination, experience different elements of life in the country and then weigh up the pros and cons in each aspect of their lives.

One aspect might be potential home they can afford.

Another might be lifestyle and amenities.

However, one aspect they always compare with their current situation is work.

Sometimes the contestants (if this is the right word!?) want to continue their professions and careers but in somewhere else, and sometimes they’re looking to do something completely different.

The interesting thing is that the first thing they do when they’re considering alternative options when it comes to work is research.

Now I’m conscious of the fact that in a world where the internet exists, researching what we might want to do for work has never been easier.

However, I think the interesting thing about the ‘Wanted down under’ approach is they actually go and speak to someone doing the work they want to do.

I’ve had plenty of conversations over the years with people who want to be a financial planner or wanted to start their own businesses. Often both combine and people want a conversation about how to run a business and be a financial planner.

I’m sure you’ve had it too. If you’ve had any sort of success in your career, and I’m sure you have, you’ll have conversations about the good, bad and ugly of your role.

I’ve had plenty of conversations with my clients who tell me that they’ve reached a point in their lives where part of what they really enjoy is imparting their knowledge, skills and experience. 

Often this is to the ‘next generation’ but not always. With the world of work becoming more flexible, careers expanding changing and evolving, I’d question why someone at any age can’t use the skills and experience they’ve built to bring what they’ve learned to a new arena of work.

I think proper conversations are the key here. My experience from having the fantastic people to interview people over the years, both for What Happens Next and the podcast on Kindness I hosted with my daughter from many years is that typically people are fantastically generous when asked to share their insights.

However the surprising thing is that in conversation something comes up which I never would have read on a website or watched on a video. These tiny titbits are the valuable elements and provide you with a real insight into a role which might work for you.

So, if you’re thinking about what happens next in your career, take inspiration from old daytime TV and speak to someone who is doing what you want to do. Ask questions about the good, bad, ugly and indifferent and get a true insight into the world of work when you’re thinking about ‘what’s next’.

So, I’m curious…who do you need to speak to today to give you an insight into ‘what’s next’ in your world of work? I’d love to know!