Not many people take liking to the idea of a lifelong career these days. A decade or two ago, most people focused on starting a career and working their way up from the ground until the time came to retire. In the career world today, changing employers regularly is expected, even career changes.
People want to change their careers for many reasons. You might be opting for a higher salary package, not feeling appreciated for your skills or the lack of passion for your chosen career. While you might have had a passion to start with, discovering a new passion can make you want to change careers.
With the speed at which the job market and job trends change with regards to technology, it forces us to take risks in our careers that might not have been necessary twenty years ago. You might even be happy in your current job – earn a good salary, enjoy working with your colleagues and learn a lot about your field but, with the rate technology is advancing, it’s inevitable for frequent career changes to happen.
Career changes aren’t exactly straight forward. They can be daunting and challenging. Here are the stages every person goes through that leads them to the decision to change career paths.
Self-Doubt
When you first start a career, it might feel exciting. But if the excitement waters down over time, it will become mundane and boring. You begin to question if you have taken the right career path, and doubt starts creeping in. Some days are better than others, but in the back of your mind, you have this growing feeling that something is “off”.
Dismay
The second stage is where you become disgruntled with your career. You’ll become less and less interested in your tasks until you completely lose motivation. Your job will begin to feel meaningless and no longer fulfil your needs. This is when the realisation hits that something needs to change.
Temporary Relief
To deal with your displeasure, you might start to pursue other passions in your free time to try and make things work. If you can do more of what makes you happy, it won’t matter that you’re not satisfied with your job. And while giving up your weekends and evenings might bring relief temporarily, you will become exhausted, leaving you with even less energy and motivation than before.
Depletion
You are now depleted of all energy and staying on top of a demanding job is proving to be more than you can handle. You are trying to cram as much as possible into every day. But you struggle to balance it all, and eventually run out of steam.
The Great Escape
Something’s got to give, and you know it’s not your passion. When you’re juggling a career different than your passion, you won’t be able to give 100% to either. Your relationships with the people in your life will suffer as a result, as will your physical health and wellbeing. Finally, you decide to resign from your job to focus on turning your passion into a career.
Refocus
Not everyone who changes careers has the opportunity to take a break and reflect. In most cases, you hit the ground running to try and keep your finances stable. And you hope! You hope that the leap of faith you’ve taken works out the way you planned. While you don’t exactly have time to reflect, take a moment to refocus and remember to take it one step at a time.
If you’re in the midst of a career change and you’re struggling, remember, you’re not alone. Many others have been exactly where you’re now and made it through to the other side. There’s no shame in seeking help. An executive coach can guide you through the entire process and aid in your success by offering support, valuable advice and by keeping you motivated. Book a session with Integrative Coaching — the first one is free!
Tips for a Smooth Transition from One Career to Another
Acceptance is Key
Accept that the transition is what’s best for you. When you accept this fact, you can start to focus on what lies ahead – a future that’s bigger and better than your past. In a world where more than 50% of the workforce is actively job hunting, it’s safe to say that not many people are satisfied in their careers. It’s OK to want to make a change. You don’t have to pretend to be happy in your chosen career if you’ve outgrown it. Life’s too short and living for the weekend isn’t sustainable.
Invest in Yourself
Not knowing which steps to take next makes you feel hopeless. For this reason, it’s vital to invest in your education and growth, regardless of the nature of your career transition. Investing in an executive coach would be highly beneficial to make your transition as smooth as possible. You don’t have to study full-time either. There are thousands of affordable online courses available that you can complete in your own time. These courses will motivate you and spark the enthusiasm needed to launch your new career.
Determine Your Core Values
What is important to you? Freedom, location independence, family, creativity? Meeting your core values is a vital ingredient for a happy career. If your number one priority is family, more flexibility in working hours is a must. If you want to become location independent, consider remote work opportunities. If freedom is what you’re after, becoming an entrepreneur would be the best option.
Get Some Help
When you’re in the midst of a career change, it can be difficult to see the light. You might lack the clarity to make informed decisions when your mind is consumed with questions to which you don’t have the answers. The truth is you don’t have to go through this alone. Some people are professionally trained and have experience with what you’re going through, who made it to the other side. Hiring an executive coach will be highly beneficial to your career transition.
Jump In
Focus! You have done all the prep work – you have created a business plan, updated your resume – now it is time to dive right in and create a better future for yourself and your loved ones. Be productive even if you have to make a to-do list for your to-do list. Plan your days and your tasks (realistically) and practice discipline. This right here is the key to freedom, to living the life of your dreams. Honour your goals, so you no longer have to be imprisoned by the life you do not want to live.
Make Your Career Change Easy and Effortless with Help from Executive Coaches
Whether you are a business owner, manager, team leader or entrepreneur, navigating career changes are always difficult. But keep in mind that help is always available and executive coaches can help you manage these stressful career transitions. An executive coach can guide you in the following ways:
Get yourself unstuck – when you simply don’t know which way to go, they can help you gain clarity.
Provide Support and Motivation – When you have sent out hundreds of resumes without response, you tend to lose hope. A coach will be your biggest motivator and supporter.
Give you courage – without courage, changing careers will not be possible. An executive coach has the skills, knowledge and experience to encourage you to be your best self.
Life is full of ups and downs. But, remember, you are in charge. Trust your instincts and give yourself space to gain the clarity to determine your core values, educate yourself and ultimately reach your full potential.