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When most people think of changing careers, they tend to think of it in terms of flipping a switch. Friday at 5:00 p.m. I’m this, and Monday at 8:00 a.m. I’m that. Presto! New career!
Unfortunately, it seldom works that way. The reality is that changing careers can be a long-term effort. Far from happening overnight, it can take months, or even years to make the change.
If a career change is on your horizon, here are seven ways to use that time to your advantage.
Put your fear to use
If you’ve ever contemplated a career change, you probably know how quickly fear can raise its ugly head. Instead of letting your fears block you from moving towards that change, put them to use.
Ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” Make a list of the possible negative results that you fear. For each of those ask yourself, “What could I do to minimize or even eliminate that feared outcome?”
When we put our fear to use rather than letting it run the show, it can be a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Create a financial buffer
One of the biggest things getting in the way of potential career changes is the financial aspect. Passion by itself doesn’t pay the bills, and there can be a downward dip in earnings during the transition process (though that’s not always the case). One way to get past that challenge (or at least to soften it) is to put money away and create a buffer for your career change.
Try opening a new career change savings account. Figure out how much you can set aside each month and deposit it there. Look at your expenses. Are there any you could eliminate or reduce and put the difference into your career change account? The more financial buffer you can create, the easier you can breathe during your transition.
Build your network
One of the most valuable assets you can have in a career change is your network. Since moving into a new career often entails an entirely new area of professional focus, people often find their current network lacking.
Use the time while you are preparing that career change to start building a new network, as well as solidifying your current one. It’s always best to build your network before you actually need it.
Build your knowledge
Unless you are making a change into an area where you already have a deep knowledge and skill base, your career change is going to bring with it a learning curve. Figure out what you need to know, and map out a plan for learning that. It could come from books, classes, interviews with people who already have the knowledge you seek, mentors, etc.
Gain experience
This is a variation on the build-your-knowledge theme. The more direct experience you can gain before you actually flip the switch, the more confident you will feel about your career change. Are there volunteer opportunities? Is the new path something you can do for free for friends or colleagues? Are there classes that will let you “learn in action?”
Strengthen your internal support
Changing careers can be a bumpy process. There will probably be days when you wonder what the hell you’re doing. You’ll hit roadblocks and probably fall on your face on occasion. The more solid your internal foundation is, the easier it will be to persevere through all of that.
If you don’t have a strong internal foundation, it’s easy to let the winds of whatever is happening blow you around in a nausea-inducing dust devil. Explore ways to create a centered and grounded feeling within yourself. There are many ways to do this, so experiment and see what is best for you. Meditation is a great way to find the eye of the storm, as is yoga, or practices like tai-chi or qi gong. Exercise in general can have a grounding effect.
Develop your internal support system before you need it so you’re not trying to build it at the same time as you are trying to keep your balance during the transition process.
Strengthen your external support
I often say that pursuing your passion is not a solo sport. You can’t do it alone. You need others to support you along the way, whether that is with emotional support, knowledge support, inspiration support or logistical support. Just like it’s better to build that internal support system before the turmoil of transition hits, you’ll find your life much easier if you strengthen and build your external support system ahead of time as well.
So while it goes completely counter to our ingrained desire for immediate gratification, the fact that you can’t just flip the switch when you decide it’s time for a change might actually work in your favor. Spend some time looking at each of the ideas above. Identify steps to take and start taking them. Create a career transition plan, and then start working it.
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