When Is It The Right Time To Make A Career Change?
Throughout my life, I have changed jobs, moved out of state, and even changed my profession entirely. Sometimes it was out of necessity and often when big changes happened, it was because I was dissatisfied with what I was doing, and I was craving something more fulfilling. Change can be scary, especially if we don't know what the future holds. As women, we often take on many different roles throughout our lives - professional, mother, wife, caregiver, friend, student, and more. Each role comes with its own set of responsibilities and challenges, and sometimes, we may feel stuck in a rut or unsure of our next steps. However, change can also be empowering and exciting if we approach it with the right mindset and tools. The art of reinvention is not easy however we can empower ourselves to make career and life transitions that align with our values and dreams.
Evaluating What Gives You Joy and What Is Energy Draining
Before making any major changes, it is important to reflect on your life and get an understanding as to why you want to make a change. What is prompting you to consider doing something differently? Typically it stems from a pain point – something feels uncomfortable and it is making you unhappy. Perhaps you are dreaming and longing for something more. What do you want to keep in place that is working for you and more importantly, what no longer serves you? By listing these out, you can make more intentional decisions that will bring you closer to your ideal life. For example, if one of your core values is family, you may prioritize a flexible work schedule that allows you to spend more time with your loved ones. Or, if one of your core values is creativity, you may explore new hobbies or career paths that allow you to express yourself artistically. By aligning your actions with your values, you can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Creating a Plan
In my early forties, I had a good corporate career with a great salary however my work hours were long, I traveled nearly every week and more importantly, I was missing my toddler’s milestone. Where it once had been thrilling to travel for work, it eventually became tiresome to be away from my family. I began feeling overwhelmed and depressed and sought out help from a therapist. I was sitting in her office, and she asked me, “Have you ever thought of being a therapist yourself?”. At that moment, I visualized myself having my own private practice helping other women who were feeling the same way as me. Directly after that visualization of being a therapist myself, fear crept in. How in the world could I make that a reality? How could I justify going back to school for another master's degree when I was still paying off my first? Who would babysit? Could we afford to be on a single income? Over the coming weeks and months, I worked with my therapist and hired a career coach to help me map it out. Together we created a plan on how to exit my job. I was fortunate because my husband supported my new dream of becoming a therapist. My mother-in-law and my friends stepped in to help babysit. My plan evolved and my support system came together. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it.
Setting Goals
Once you have identified what you want to do next, you must set goals and figure out a way to stay accountable to them. Goals should be very specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and have a date attached to them. For example, instead of saying, "I’m going to quit my job and do something else," you could say, "I want to find a marketing position in the tech industry by November 15. I will send out at least 5 resumes three times a week. " By breaking down your goals into actionable steps, you can stay motivated and focused. It's also important to be flexible and open to new opportunities that may arise along the way. Sometimes you will even find inspiration from something you yourself have faced.
Build a Support System
Making big changes can be challenging, and it's important to have a strong support system in place. This may include friends, family, mentors, or career coaches who can offer guidance, encouragement, and accountability. It's also helpful to seek out like-minded individuals or communities who share our values and goals. By surrounding yourself with positive influences, you can stay motivated and inspired throughout the process. As I previously mentioned, a support system is helpful whether it is a coach, therapist, friend, or family. I know I refer to this a lot and I do so because it is incredibly important to not feel alone in the process. In addition, you may have some self-sabotaging behaviors in place that you aren't even aware of. Having a trusted person or group to help you will ensure your success as you move forward and you won't feel so alone.
Invest in Time for Yourself and Self-Care
Change can be incredibly stressful. It is important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. This may include taking breaks when needed, getting enough sleep and exercise, eating healthy foods, and seeking professional help if necessary. It's also important to celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small they may seem. By investing in self-care, we can build resilience and confidence to tackle any challenges that come our way. Treating yourself to a good coffee or going for a hike with a friend can reset your mindset and help you feel rejuvenated.
Cultivate a Positive Mindset
Finally, it's important to have a positive mindset - the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be further developed through hard work, dedication, and learning. You may have come across employers, co-workers, or even people in your personal life who have not been positive about your abilities. Perhaps they criticized you and you came to believe their negative narrative of you. By working on your internal system, you can overcome self-doubt and fear of failure. You may need to find a therapist or speak to someone who knows you and you trust them to help provide insight to help you. You can also seek out learning opportunities, such as volunteering in your community, attending workshops, and classes or even finding mentorship programs, to develop new skills and knowledge. By adopting a positive mindset, you can become will achieve your full potential. Even if you don’t have the confidence built yet, you can lean into that old saying, “Fake it ‘till you make it”. That certainly has helped me on an occasion.
Conclusion
I know firsthand that reinventing our career and maybe even our personal life can initially be an overwhelming task. It can also lead to a rewarding and empowering journey. By embracing your values, setting goals, building a support system, and investing in self-care, women can navigate career and life transitions with confidence and resilience. It is important that we as women understand and believe we have the power to shape our own futures and create meaningful lives that align with our dreams. Get out there and embrace the art of reinvention and unleash your full potential.
Written By Stacey Inal MA, MBA,
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and Women’s Life Coach