Realign your professional life with these tips.
At some point in life, you may feel somewhat restless in your current job and thinking of a career change. Don’t worry though, this is a perfectly normal thing and nothing to be concerned about. We all get a little antsy sometimes and dream of new and greener pastures but not everyone has the ability or courage of their convictions to make that change, sometimes we’re bound by current circumstances and unable to make that transition at the present moment.
But for those ready and willing to make that jump, first ask yourself are you wanting to move to another company or to start your own business as a budding entrepreneur? Are you wanting to change your career because you feel burned out, tired, feeling unfulfilled? Why do you think you’re feeling this way and is there a way to rectify it without changing careers? And do you know precisely what new career you want to switch to?
These are important questions that need asking upfront because once you make that move, set things in motion, there’s no turning back and you don’t want to end up regretting it. Be that as it may, if you genuinely feel it’s time to make a move, then you’ll need a solid strategy to pivot from where you are now to where you want to be later.
For this article, we’ll list 6 points to consider when switching lanes (so to speak) in your professional life.
1. Know Thyself
You know yourself better than anyone, you have an innate understanding of your inherent strengths and weaknesses. What do you do best and what are your lesser traits? Only you can know that for sure and it’s good to self-analyze that, perhaps write a list of all your good and bad points, your strengths, weaknesses, abilities, and failings. Use that as a basic road map to discover the first step in plotting your course.
2. Motivation
What fires you up emotionally in the professional field? Is it helping others, closing that big deal, organizing events, something more creative and artistic? Remember, this new career you’re embarking on may be one for a lifetime so go with what really fuels your fire. If you successfully do what you love for a living, you’ll never work a day in your life!
3. Survey The Marketplace
Having the desire to switch careers is one thing, even actually doing it is something else too… but making a success of it is quite a whole other kettle of fish entirely! Before you make a final decision about your new direction, look at the marketplace you wish to enter. Is there a gap that could be exploited successfully on your part? Is that market already oversaturated and if so, what new ideas could you bring to it?
4. Assessment Tools
One of the great things about the increasing sophistication of software is the range of applications available for career and employment choices. When embarking on your career pivot, it’s a good idea to first get your overall skill set analyzed by a professional assessment software tool (Gallup StrengthsFinder is one such app) that is designed specifically to weigh up your strengths, weaknesses, abilities, experience, and talents, and to give you advice on how best to capitalize on those traits in the professional marketplace.
5. Second Opinions
One thing that is both valuable and necessary in making your professional pivot is to get objective analysis and advice from trusted confidantes about your plans. Very often the first casualty in entrepreneurship is objectivity, the ability to look past grand plans and see things with clarity. If you’re taking a chance and stepping out into the commercial arena, get some wise, sage advice first before planning world domination. That advice may just save you from the many pitfalls and bear traps the world of business is littered with.
6. Document EVERYTHING
As you begin your professional new adventure, be sure to document absolutely EVERYTHING you do, see, hear, read, are told, all the important official documentation as well as a journal of your thoughts, plans, opinions, and experiences to date as your journey progresses. Experience is everything and those experiences form a continually evolving foundation that lifts you up the ladder of success. They are invaluable examples of trial-and-error, live-and-learn experiences that will help you grow and develop both professionally and personally… and you will look back later and thank yourself for documenting it all.
Changing careers can be a major life-changing move but with these tips, there’s no reason why it can’t be seamless. Good luck!
