Remember back when you were in high school trying to decide what you wanted to be when you grow up? Ok, maybe you asked yourself that last week. Either way, many of us chose or change a job or career based on what our parents, friends, or career advisors say.
For others like me, you may have a career that was a happy accident, but years later, we find ourselves in a mediocre situation, with a growing sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction about our work and our place in it. Is it too late to change direction and do something completely new or different?
Of course not! The best time for a job change is when you don’t have to, but you want to.
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”
— Amelia Earhart
Life is changing rapidly and dramatically. New careers, ideas, and opportunities are popping up all the time. Things we would never have thought possible just a few years ago have become household favorites virtually overnight.
Who would have thought it was possible for the biggest taxi company in the world to own no taxis? Can you believe that the biggest online retailer doesn’t have a single product of their own to sell? How about Door Dash? It’s wild that an entirely new industry could be born simply from fast-food delivery?
What Do You Want?
If you want to change direction, at any age, the most important thing is to discover is what you really want out of life.
What interests you?
What fascinates you?
What do you feel passionate about?
Make a list of each of these important issues and see where they overlap or have commonalities. Hidden in there somewhere are the basic elements of a complete job change and new direction for you.
When you really dig into your lists, it’s possible to create a basic plan of careers, jobs, and opportunities to explore that can lead you to a life of fulfillment and happiness.
Exploring a New Career
Once you’ve gone through your lists and found a few paths that call to your passions and interests, you’ll want to consider other aspects of them, too.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Will it make me enough money? You’ll want to consider how you’ll monetize your interest and what pursuing that aspect will entail for you. Do you want to get a new job in this field? Start your own business?
- With the advent of social media and internet marketing, it’s possible to reach out to thousands of potential customers or clients all over the world without ever leaving home.
- The potential of making money is certainly there, but you might need to retrain and learn some new skills to reach out and get it.
- With the advent of social media and internet marketing, it’s possible to reach out to thousands of potential customers or clients all over the world without ever leaving home.
- What will others think? This is an age-old question that stops many people from making changes that could change their life for the better, forever. Others will voice their opinions, some from support and others because they wish they have the strength to make big changes too.
- Although it’s easier said than done, consider the maxim, “Whatever other people think of me is none of my business.”
- All we can do is set a good example. Let them think whatever they want while you go out and get things done! Never let those who think your job change can’t be done interrupt those who are already out there doing it. While you are on your journey, maybe you will inspire someone to break out and reach their own giant goal.
- Although it’s easier said than done, consider the maxim, “Whatever other people think of me is none of my business.”
- What am I willing to give up in order to manifest what I want? Many times, you’ll find that preparing for a new career encroaches on your current life. If this is the case, weigh the costs of time, money, and effort against your current life to help determine which aspect is more important to you.
- Are you willing to work overtime in a new role to prove yourself? How does that impact your family, self-care, and opportunities to build a side hustle?
- Given work from home and hybrid work, what are you willing to change or give up for the next role if you have flexibility and autonomy now?
- Is your family ready to move to make a new job and industry move? What does that scenario look like?
- Are you willing to work overtime in a new role to prove yourself? How does that impact your family, self-care, and opportunities to build a side hustle?
- Can I really make this career shift happen? The very fact that you’re reading this says that even if you have not admitted it to others, you are ready for a change and exploring exactly how to make that happen.
- You realize there is more to your life than what you are currently experiencing, and you want to know what it is and get fully engaged with it, right?
- Mindset is vitally important. Let your motivation carry you forward. As you take action, a positive mindset will help you overcome any obstacles that may arise.
- You realize there is more to your life than what you are currently experiencing, and you want to know what it is and get fully engaged with it, right?
Your life is entirely under your control and what you do with it is your decision alone. Get busy, make some decisions and take action, and keep moving forward with your ideas and intentions. The answers may not come overnight, but as long as you pursue what interests you, fascinates you, and makes you happy, you will find the answers that you seek.
If you are just starting your job search, reach out to KDB Coaching to get some 1:1 support on building your plan and validating your career goals. Let’s have a real conversation about what it takes to make your career dream a reality and lay out the action steps.
Be relentless in your pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. Go at it like your whole life depends on it. Because it does.