There are all kinds of stats out there about the average number of careers a person has in their lifetime. Regardless of what the numbers say, the point is that people change career paths all the time! Gone are the days where someone begins their career at a company and retires from that same company 40 years later. Career change is inevitable.
No matter how many times you decide to make a change, what’s most important when it comes to changing careers is that you choose something you feel connected to, that feels meaningful, something that meets your career/financial/lifestyle needs, is aligned with your values, or is in a field that you genuinely want to spend your time working and making a difference in.
If you’ve decided it’s time for a career change, know that it’s completely normal to feel confident in one moment and to feel nervous, to doubt yourself or to wonder if you’re making the right decision the next.
Maybe you’re in the initial stages of figuring out what type of career you’re interested in, or perhaps are in the process of finding a new job with a new company. Regardless of where you’re at, if you find yourself doubting your decision in any way, I hope these tips help keep you motivated, focused, and feeling confident about your future:
You are in the driver’s seat.
It doesn’t matter why you chose the career you’re in or how much time, education or work you’ve put into getting you where you are today. Every experience you’ve had up until this point will prepare you for your next opportunity. You’re allowed to change your mind, try new things, let life take you in another direction, or decide you want your career to be more meaningful. It doesn’t matter if you’re 5, 10, or 20 years into your career – if you want to make a change, go for it! The time will pass anyway, you might as well be happy.
Go at your own pace.
Unless there’s a reason you need to make a change quickly, you don’t need to rush the process or expect overnight results. It took us two years to launch our business. We worked on our goals 3-5 hours a week over those two years and spent many nights burning the midnight oil in between our other jobs, parenting and life. Decide how much time you can reasonably spend each week working on your career goals and how soon you’d like to make the shift. Make a commitment to yourself to do the work and give yourself permission to go at whatever pace is right for you.
Choose who you’ll lean on for accountability.
Even with the best laid plans, it can be helpful to have someone in your corner to help hold you accountable to your goals. Someone who knows what you’re working toward, how much your goals mean to you, and who wants to see you succeed. This can be a friend, family member, colleague or a career coach. You’ll be more likely to succeed if you establish ahead of time who you’ll go to for support, encouragement and a confidence boost if things get tough or if you need a reminder of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Keep other people’s opinions in check.
You don’t have to choose a career, stay in a career, or advance in your career because someone else thinks you should. They’re not working this job and they won’t be there when you’re feeling uninspired, overworked, undervalued or burnt out. Choosing your career path for your own reasons will lead to greater satisfaction as you’ll be working in a field that’s aligned with who you are, your interests and the career goals you’ve set for yourself.
Focus on the future.
It’s easy to get caught up in the game of ‘what ifs’ or spend too much time focusing on your situation as it is now, especially if you’re not happy in your current job. Instead of going down the doomsday rabbit hole, use that energy to focus on the end result you’re hoping for. What would it mean to you to make a career change? What will your career and life be like once the change has taken place? What’s one small thing you can do today to move the needle forward? Even tiny steps in the direction you want to go in will lead to bigger changes over time. Focus on the outcome and use your energy to move you closer to your goals.
Remind yourself that only you know what’s best for you.
Sometimes when you confidently share exciting news, like plans to change your career or apply for a new job, you can be met with comments or thoughts from family and friends that may not be what you expected. Even if they have the best of intentions, people often picture what it would be like for them to make the change and then project their fears back onto you. Less than supportive comments can make you doubt whether you’re making the right decision, even if you’ve weighed out all the options. Remind yourself that people may have their opinions, but only you know what’s best for you.
Whether you’ve made a decision to change careers and are going through a period of doubt, are flying solo without the support and encouragement you need to keep moving forward, or are just getting started and feeling overwhelmed, talking to a career counsellor or coach can help.
Learn how to stay motivated and focused, build time into your week to focus on your goals and get support, and develop strategies to land a job in the field you want to be in.
You are in charge of where you go from here.
~Ashley
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