You’re going through your day at work, doing the same things you always do when suddenly it hits you. You crave something different. The job that you do is no longer challenging or fulfilling; in fact you are starting to hate your job. You wish you could try something new. Can you change careers? Is this an option in your life?
The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. Not only can you change careers, but you should.
More people are dissatisfied with their jobs than almost anything else in their lives. Let’s face it, a job consumes eight or more hours a day and that doesn’t even include commute time. Complaining about our jobs is a socially acceptable topic of conversation. We’ve either done it ourselves or heard it from our friends and family.
The idea that you have to stay in the same job or career for your entire life, no longer holds true. Society’s attitudes about moving from one field to another, once thought of negatively, are changing as more and more people start new careers.
The age factor is changing too. It isn’t just workers in their thirties and forties who are making career changes; men and women in their fifties are suddenly discovering new and interesting work that they would like to do.
How do you know you are ready for a career change? Don’t base the decision on one bad day or a series of unpleasant situations at work. Think clearly about what your present job means to you. Ask yourself the following questions
Does your job bring you any happiness or fulfillment? If the answer is no and you find yourself having more unhappy days than good ones, it’s time to seriously think about what type of work will make you happiest and make a change.
Do you find any of the work challenging? If you’re bored and feel that you could do the job in your sleep, you need something more challenging.
Do you want to stay in the same field of work? Good question. Are you still interested in teaching, law, journalism, etc.? All fields have many different aspects and areas to explore. Get started!
Can you see yourself doing the same job ten years down the road? If not, you need to change careers.
If you answer no to these questions, then you need to pinpoint exactly what you want to do and how to go about achieving your goal. Once that is decided you need to re-invent yourself to suit the career. Mental attitude, a possible change of wardrobe, and a keen desire for the adventure of a new job are necessary.
Take into account any additional education you may need. Think about financial concerns. Would you be willing to live on less income for a while to be happier? What about health benefits?
Give yourself a timetable for changing from one career to another.
Life is too short to be miserable at a job that takes up most of your day. Re-inventing yourself with a career change can be the best thing you do.