Four Steps to Freedom For Less Courageous Career People

Hello Career Peeps, Ready to make a change? 

The important thing is to take some action (any action) and start building momentum. Don’t quit your job yet. Think about your career change as a second job and start working on a new lucrative career preferrably freelance consulting or small business startups. With some well understood afterwork-hour career activity, you may even be able to make a dramatic career change without missing a single paycheck. This ofcourse is for those of us who are caught up between the fear of losing our jobs and starting small businesses for fear of failure

Here are the four steps to get you moving toward career bliss:

1. Take a clear look at your current situation.
What is it about your job that makes you go crazy? Is it the wrong job, the wrong manager, the wrong company, or all of the above? What are the work issues that really push  your buttons? Are there any aspects that you actually enjoy? Take the time to think about what’s really missing. The purpose is not to take delight in constant complaining, but to get really clear about what it is that you need to be happier at work. It may be that a slight change in job duties is all you require. Or perhaps the time has 
come for a more dramatic change.

2. Explore your options.
What is your dream career, and what would it take for you to make it happen? If you don’t know, it’s time to get serious about figuring it out. You can’t just sit around and wait for your true mission in life to reveal itself to you. Get out and do your research. Talk to people who are currently working in the fields that interest you. Browse job boards for listings that inspire you. Work with a career counselor to identify 
careers that tap into your strengths and fit with your values.

3. Make a plan.
Once you have a sense of what you want, it’s time to decide what you’re prepared to do about it and when. You need to put a plan in writing and commit to it.

Even if you’re not ready to change careers, but imply want to make some minor adjustments to your current situation, you still need a plan. Don’t just make promises without clarity to “volunteer more,” “spend more time with the kids,” or “take a real vacation.” Put a detailed plan together— commit to a volunteering schedule, book more family time into your weekly calendar, or make reservations for your next getaway weekend.

If you’re committed to moving forward with your career change, it’s time to decide exactly how you’re going to get from Point A to Point B. Is it simply a matter of updating your CV/Resume and getting out there to interview, or will you need additional training or experience before you hit the target you want?

If your goal is to leave your corporate job for a career that’s likely to be less lucrative (at least at first), it is essential to have a solid financial plan in place. That plan could involve continuing to work at your current job—even if only part-time—while you make the transition. Or it could mean socking away some money in an Emergency Fund to help cover your bills during the switch.

4. Get out
If you plan well and work your plan, you’ll soon be ready to say goodbye to that crappy corporate job and learn what it’s like to love what you do for a living.
Ready for change? See you on the final part of this thread series in few days time. Have fun out there...

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