Some people grow into their work; others know exactly what they want to be and do from day one. But many of us yearn for a change.
We may stay in our position because there are parts of the job we love. Or worse, we may stay because we excel at what we do, even though we do not care about it. Either way, we consistently have a feeling that we could get more fulfillment from all that time we spend in the office and have started entertaining thoughts of a career change.
This three-part series will explain how to determine if now is the right time for a change and if so, what next steps to take to make it happen.
The chicken and the pig
Changing careers may not be as outlandish as it once seemed, but it is still a big step. And often the bigger the difference in the type of work, the greater the challenge in making the leap. Figuring out if it is really the right thing to do is the most important step in the process because making the decision to change (or not) will ultimately help us move forward.
To do so, we must figure out how committed we are to the process. For example, watching HGTV or relaxing with Redfin do not necessarily translate to remodeling a beachfront bargain or selling our house and moving. Similarly, interest in another career or fascination with certain aspects of it do not necessarily mean it is time to make the move.
To figure it out, start by asking questions like those related to property searches. For example:
- When I think about the move, am I excited or does it sound exhausting?
- How much time can I commit to making the switch? Is that enough to do what it takes to find the right place?
- What type of financial commitment am I willing to make? Am I clear on my budget and honest about how likely is it that I will stick to it?
- Am I making this change out of necessity or opportunity?
Understanding our answers to these questions will help us get real about our level of involvement or commitment. As tennis legend Martina Navratilova once said, "The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed."
It's not you — oh, wait, it is
We may be ready to commit, but that does not necessarily mean we should.
We must take the time to tread through our logic, look at our reasons and try to figure out the why behind our actions to determine whether our current lack of job satisfaction is because of us or our career. If we are the problem — our attitude, approach or perspective — then we will likely still be the problem in a new career.
Getting to our why can be tough, but it is important. Simon Sinek's TedX talk explains the difference between what we are doing, how we are doing it and why we are doing it from the perspective of great organizational leaders.
However, by looking at ourselves as leading major change in our own lives, we can apply the same principles. And if we can figure out these differences in our own actions, we can help ensure we do not leave for the wrong reasons.
The bottom line: Even if millennials are forcing us all to be more open-minded about multiple career changes, making a career change is still a significant act, and the first step to successfully embarking on the journey is determining whether we should.
Stay tuned for the second article in this series, which will explain how to create a story for why we need a career change.
