Change of careers – does that thought intrigue you? Do you find yourself scrolling through job listings late at night, secretly hoping to stumble upon your dream career? Do you often imagine what life would be like if you pursued your passions instead of settling for the safe and familiar? Or, has your passion fizzled due to years of hustle and burnout?
If these thoughts resonate with you, it may be an indication that it’s time for a change of careers. Many people reach a point in their professional lives where they yearn for something more fulfilling and meaningful. That point can come at the age of 25, 45, or 75, and it comes for people in every industry.
To make a positive change in our careers, you need to consider various indicators that suggest when it’s time to embark on a new professional path and take a look at practical steps in adjusting your current trajectory. This forethought will lead to successfully transitioning into the career of your dreams!
Assess Your Feelings
Assessing our feelings is a crucial aspect of navigating through life’s changes, particularly when it comes to embarking on a new career path. Making the decision to change careers can evoke a myriad of emotions ranging from excitement and anticipation to fear and uncertainty. While it is natural to experience an array of feelings during times of transition, taking the time to identify and work through these emotions can provide valuable insights into our true desires and motivations.
One way to assess your feelings when contemplating a change of careers is by journaling. Writing down your thoughts, fears, hopes, and aspirations can help you gain clarity about what you truly want and make sense of the emotions swirling in your mind and heart. You could also take time to practice mindfulness, meditate, or pray, as these activities often provide the mental space we need to figure out big problems and work through solutions.
By objectively assessing your feelings throughout this process (while acknowledging both the challenges and rewards that lie ahead), you’ll be better equipped for success on your chosen path. So ask yourself this:
- When thinking about changing careers, are you scared? Nervous? Excited? Hopeful? Something else?
- What is your gut reaction if you tell yourself you will move forward with a change of careers?
- What is your gut reaction if you tell yourself you will not move forward with a change of careers?
Identifying and analyzing your feelings is an important first step in making this big life decision. There will likely be a lot of work moving forward, so make sure that this change of careers is something you truly want.
READ MORE: 5 Ways To Turn Your Dream Job Into An Exciting Career
Get Advice from Others You Trust
When it comes to making a change of careers, seeking advice from others you trust can be invaluable. While it’s important to trust yourself and follow your own instincts, gaining insights from those who have already been through similar experiences can provide fresh perspectives and valuable guidance. Talking to mentors, friends, or colleagues who have successfully transitioned careers can not only help you avoid potential pitfalls but also open doors to new possibilities that you may not have considered before. Their knowledge and experience can give you the confidence to take that leap of faith toward a more fulfilling professional path.
However, it’s crucial to remember that advice is just that – advice. Filter what resonates with your unique situation and discard what doesn’t align with your goals and values. Everyone’s journey is different, so the key is identifying individuals whose advice aligns with your vision of success and who understand the challenges specific to your desired field. By seeking counsel from those you trust, especially people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, you broaden the scope of possibilities for yourself in this transformative process.
Also, make sure you turn to people who truly have your best interests at heart. Family members may have preconceived notions about what you should or should not do in your life. Friendly coworkers may want to subtly dissuade you from leaving your current role. Be careful who you trust in this process, especially as you are still weighing the pros and cons and have not made a definitive choice as of yet.
Ultimately, gathering advice from trusted sources allows us to expand our own viewpoints while drawing on the wisdom of others who have walked similar paths. It enables us to see beyond our own limitations or fears about change by providing reassurance that we are not alone in our aspirations. Embracing these external insights stimulates personal growth and development as we embark on an exciting new chapter in our careers – one where opportunities abound if we remain receptive to wise counsel along the way.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Once you’ve assessed your feelings and received advice from trusted mentors and peers, it’s time to really dive into the realities of a change of careers. There is often a lot of work involved in this transition, and you should be as prepared as you can be. So, before you make any moves toward a change of careers, ask yourself this list of questions:
- Am I happy overall in my current job? How many days out of the year am I happy or unhappy at the end of the day?
- Is my job meeting my basic needs (money, schedule, benefits, opportunities, respect)?
- Are there other jobs available in my field that I would like to pursue?
- Would I need to relocate to change careers?
- Would I need to get new training or education to change careers?
- Will I lose out on pension, retirement, insurance, or other benefits if I change careers now?
- Does my decision affect others who depend on me (children, a spouse, etc.)?
- Can I imagine doing this job until I retire?
After you’ve gone through this list of questions, consider how this potential change of careers aligns with your long-term goals and aspirations. Take a moment to visualize where you see yourself in five or ten years from now. Does this new path support those ambitions? While change can invigorate us in the short term, it’s crucial to ensure that any shift aligns with our overall life direction.
READ MORE: Career Planning: Everything You Need to Know
Take a Step Toward a Change of Careers
You’ve put in the work, looked inward, talked with trusted individuals, and asked yourself the tough questions. You know many of the pros and cons if you were to make a career change now. So, what’s it going to be? Are you ready to make a decision?
Sometimes, all it takes is one step to change the course of our lives. In the realm of careers, this can be a truly transformative experience. Many of us find ourselves stuck in jobs that no longer fulfill us or fail to align with our passions. We often hesitate to make a change because we fear the unknown, but taking that first step toward a new career path can be exhilarating.
One step may involve enrolling in classes or pursuing additional education to gain new skills and knowledge in your desired field. It might mean saying goodbye to beloved colleagues. It could involve updating your resume and LinkedIn profile. Or, it might look like hitting the submit button on your first job application in your chosen field. That first step will be different for everyone.
Taking a single step toward changing your career can lead you down unexpected paths, revealing hidden talents or passions you never knew existed within you. That step forward invites personal discoveries and opens up doors that were previously inaccessible or unknown. You may very well find new opportunities for growth and income and a brighter future for your family.
Choosing to change careers is not an easy decision. It requires finding the bravery within ourselves to step outside of our comfort zones and explore uncharted territories. Ultimately, by mustering the courage and conviction to take just one small step towards changing our careers, we can embark on a journey filled with endless possibilities that all started with a change of careers.
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