The times we live in today are very different from just 10 years ago. Job security and staying in the same career for your entire life are almost a thing of the past. Most people will change careers between 5-7 times in their lifetime according to recent studies.
Why would someone want to change or reinvent their career?
- Losing enthusiasm for the work – After you spend a number of years working in one field, you begin to feel a loss of connection with your work. This sometimes happens with high-achievers
- Need for personal fulfillment – Your work just doesn't feed your soul; it doesn't bring any fulfillment or satisfaction. You may be good at it but it doesn’t align with who you are. This mostly happens around mid-life for people.
- Personal aspirations aren't aligned with work anymore – People grow and change and so do their desires, goals and aspirations. Ten years ago, perhaps something else was important and now your needs have changed. Work can then starts to become a barrier rather than providing fulfillment.
- Circumstances – Perhaps the industry you were involved is stagnating or even dying. Or you have crossed a certain age and jobs are tough to come by. Circumstances such as these may also put somebody in a position where they think about reinventing their career.
Reinventing your career is really about your personal journey of self-discovery. Whatever your reason for wanting to make a change, the desire to do it must come from within. The desire to take charge of your career and life should be there as well.
Here are 6 important steps to bear in mind that will give you a head start:
An open mind – An open mind–like a blank slate with no pre-conceived notion of what you can or cannot do–serves very well as you look for a career that's new and different. Explore your options by reading about them and talking to people, try to just absorb everything instead of judging things right away. Don't be afraid of the "New". This will help you expand your mindset.
What will I be when I grow up – If you had a childhood dream, something that you always wanted to do and couldn't, this is a time to connect with it.
Passion, abilities, needs and values – Often running our lives on auto-pilot, we forget what our interests are, and this is a great time to remember them. What really grabs your interest? The best way to reinvent your career is to first discover what you really want to do and then excel in it by becoming good at it. Pay attention to everyday things and events however miniscule they may seem–your answer may be hidden there. Do people come to you for advice automatically? Are you good at organizing things neatly and effectively and love working with people? There could be things you are already doing and enjoying, but you may not have paid attention.
Don't forget to use your intuition – Your intuition is such a versatile tool and it can be easily used in both personal and professional situations. As you are trying to look for answers, let your instincts guide you.
Applying the same discipline as your corporate job – Once you've identified what you would like to do, start learning so you can move into it. Don't be afraid to take courses or get help from experts in the industry. Speak to those who have already blazed the trail before you.
Fear is not your friend – Once you've identified your likely choices, then it's time to take action. This can be frightening and often makes people freeze and stay in one place. You have to identify your fears – failure, the unknown, and so forth, and realize that they are not realistic. It's true that there is no guarantee for the future but that shouldn't stop you from taking forward steps.
Change and reinvention should be an exciting prospect as you are looking towards your bright future.
Ruchira Agrawal is a Personal and Professional development Coach, Mindset and Intuition expert, Author, CEO of InnerVeda Communications. She works with individuals who are at a life and career crossroads looking to change careers discover their Right work. Her eBook- Before You Launch Your Business: How to decide if being an Entrepreneur is for you is available at Amazon’s Kindle store. For her coaching programs and services, please visit her website: www.innerveda.com.
