SWITCHING CAREERS

SWITCHING CAREERS

 

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."

When you were a child, what did you dream of doing with your life?

"When I grow up I want to be a _____________" (fill in the blank!)

When I was a kid I thought about many things to do at a time I got to the point where I thought at one point I wanted to be a ice-cream truck driver. Legit!

Yes, my wee 5 year old self was completely enamoured with the ice cream truck and it's sweet music and sweet flavors. Plus, if I'm really honest... I loved all the little compartments that they kept the toppings in. It was so organized and it appealed to my perfectionist heart.

Then I wanted to be a florist. 

Then an equestrian related person (anything to do with horses!)

Then I grew up. And I proceeded to have a colourful career, doing none of those things (desires which I outgrew), but I had so many awesome jobs doing lots of different things.

And I moved jobs often (about every 18-24 months). My longest period was in the company I worked for some years, until I found my life passion (which I've been doing now till date).

The point is this... if you ever feel like it's time for a new career, GIFT YOURSELF the OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE. Let yourself be lit up by new possibilities.

I saw thousands and thousands of resumes in my time in company, interviewed and met SO many people with diverse career paths. People following their intuition and heart, reaching beyond their comfort zones, trying new things, and taking new opportunities. You don't have to stick to just one path.

But, here's the challenge for many people...

Often people end up trapped in careers they don't like and staying there because they think...

> I've invested too much time in this path already, I'm best to stick at it.

> I've invested too much money in studying to get qualified for this field, I'd better stick it out.

> I'm too old to change careers.

> It's too hard to change careers.

> It won't look good to other people if I switch paths.

> This is all I know how to do.

> No one else will want to hire me because...

> This is the only thing I'm good at.

> I don't think I'll be good enough to do anything else.

We are born explorers.

You are clever and you are capable of many things. 

You are in fact capable of learning, growing and doing things beyond your wildest imagination.

Sure changing career paths can be inconvenient in some ways, but it's also super exciting!

Sure changing career paths can be confronting and a bit scary, but it's also filled with amazing opportunity.

> If you love what you do, awesome!

> If you don't love what you do, maybe there are small changes you can make in your existing career path to make it more enjoyable?

> If you REALLY don't like what you do (and you consistently feel that way and it's negatively affecting your life), consider gifting yourself the chance for a change.

And by the way, I'm not an advocate of quitting your career cold-turkey and jumping off the cliff edge, ending up in a pressured situation while you try to figure out what to do next. That can work for some people very well, and some people have the resources to sustain that type of break between jobs. But most people feel safer, more confident and find it more financially viable to keep their secure career in place while simultaneously looking for new opportunities, studying part-time or perhaps even starting a business on the side. 

You have to figure out what makes you tick and do what feels good to you uniquely.

There are so many colours to you and to what your career can be.

Whether it's creating bouquets of flowers for delighted customers.

Or being a "Mr Somebody".

Or looking after horses.

Or life coaching.

OR whatever YOUR OWN HEART DESIRES... 

Let's live life fully.

This is not a dress rehearsal!