I’m a slasher. Not by design.

I’ve had seven major slashes over my career. Here’s a few:

management consultant / market researcher / lecturer / counsellor / executive coach

That’s not counting all the different jobs in between.
Twice retrenched.

I was one of those people who never knew what they wanted to do when they grew up.

So I went from job to job. Some even lasted a few years.

Some call it a portfolio career.
Sounds nicer.
More professional.
Interview-worthy.

But it also sounds too buttoned up. Neat.
It doesn’t capture the torture of the in-between.

That time when you know it’s time to move and you’re not sure of your best next steps.

There’s the fear of the unknown.
The frustration of having to pick yourself up, yet again.
The uncertainty of whether it’ll work out or not.

As an old hand at next steps, it doesn’t matter that you don’t know what you want to do.

What matters is:
 • Finding a way to tolerate the ambiguity and uncertainty.
 • Doing something constructive with your time so that you’re hoarding skills.
 • Forever learning.

This, as it turns out, is what Robert Safian, editor-in-chief and managing director at Fast Company calls Generation Flux.

Unlike Baby Boomers, Generation X or Y, Generation Flux is a psychographic not a demographic.

Age isn’t the issue.
It’s adaptability, flexibility and the willingness to move out of your comfort zone.
To risk being embarrassed.

And the kinds of people best positioned to take advantage?

The slashers!

For the first time in my career, the silver lining to not knowing your best next steps is clear.
Being a slasher is now an advantage!

As a slasher, you’re forced to be adaptable and flexible.
You’re forced to move out of your comfort zone.​

This past week I spoke with my friend Denise Dominguez on her Blog Talk Radio show – It’s YOUR Turn Radio – about my slasher career.

Perhaps you too, can take some comfort in not knowing your next best steps.

The key is to take some steps.
Even just a small one.
And risk being embarrassed.

It’s way better than playing small and staying stuck.