Are you thinking about changing careers? I’ve been there. I’ve moved from hospitality to life coaching, passing through marketing and operations, all in a 4 years period. I know it is possible and 100% worthy, and today I want to share with you 3 strategies that helped me get here.
I still remember how frustrated I felt when I realised that after 4 years studying, plus another 3 years working my way into a good position, I wasn’t happy with where I was professionally. Uncertainty, confusion, and fear of letting others down were just some of the feelings I was dealing with.
However, I knew that no matter how much effort, time and money it had taken me to get where I was, it wasn’t my future and I needed to change. My biggest challenges were that I didn’t know what I wanted to do, or even where to start looking.
Fast forward to the present, I am building a business that not only I feel passionate about, but it also aligns with the life I envision for myself. And now, looking back, there are a few things that I can see had the biggest impact.
1. Take action
Whether you know what you want to do next or not, do not stop moving.
If you don’t know what you want, you can start with the things you don’t want. You can also reflect on the lifestyle you would like to have. Life and career are intrinsically linked, so it makes sense to think about both in unison.
Additionally, you can start by looking at the things you’re good at, the things you enjoy doing and the things you are interested in and you would like to learn.
In my case, I knew that I didn’t want to be in hospitality because what I wanted was to travel, so I needed flexibility. Plus, I liked writing. This wasn’t much to go on, but at least it gave me something to base my next few moves on.
Remember, you don’t need to see the whole path ahead of you, all you need is to know your next step.
2. Use the skills you already have and be ready to learn new ones
The thought that we are missing the necessary skills to change careers is a normal one. However, you already have a lot of skills that are transferable into a new career and that employers are looking for.
Furthermore, you have the ability to learn and learning has never been easier, you have an immense pool of learning opportunities at your fingertips. This coupled with being resourceful and able to adapt have been the most useful skills in my career journey.
As Marie Forleo says “everything is figureoutable”. If you’re willing to put in the effort, there is nothing that you can’t do. And in a world where things are changing faster than ever, the ability to figure things out and adapt is and will be in high demand.
3. Get yourself out of your comfort zone
Lack of experience is a big challenge to deal with when we’re thinking about changing careers, but if you want, there is always something you can do.
If you don’t feel ready to apply for a job because of your lack of experience, you can look for volunteering opportunities. You can also create your own opportunity, for example, before I had any writing experience, I started my own blog. This gave me enough experience to get other opportunities.
Additionally, if you want to find something new, you need to put yourself in new circumstances. Get out of your comfort zone; connect with people you admire or people who do what you would love to do; ask for help. I’ve learned that people are more willing to help than we think.
Find some events, or social groups that allow you to connect with different people. This could help open your mind to new ideas, new opportunities and you never know what can happen if you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone.
Last but by no means least, be open to say yes, even if you’re scared. Trust me, I know that change can be scary. I almost said no when a massive opportunity came my way because I doubted myself. But I figured out that if I said no, I would have to stay where I was and that thought was even scarier.
“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”
Earl Nightingale
I know that figuring out a new professional path can be daunting, and unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, time will pass anyways, so you might as well invest it in creating a life that will make you happy.
I believe we all deserve a career that not only makes us happy but that it allows us to live our best life. This is why I do what I do, I want to help people find the career that makes them happy and allows them to live their dream lives.
If you are thinking about a career change, let’s chat! Get in touch here for a free (no obligation) call.
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