Career Change

What Are Some Of Your Limitations For A Career Change?

I once met a pediatrician who had returned to education to study medicine at 48 years of age, after being a musician all of her working career. She started from scratch with no background in medicine or science and attended nine years of study to be a doctor. When I asked the pediatrician why she had chosen a career change so late in life, she responded, ‘If I hadn’t, I would have spent nine years and the rest of my life wishing I had, this path was less of a burden on my mind.’ The decision to take on a new challenge can be challenging, especially when you have responsibilities to others. Therefore, ask yourself what the problems are or the most straightforward option and find solutions to make a career change.

Why Do I Want A New Career?
Why Do I Want A New Career?
What Are Some Of Your Limitations For A Career Change?
What Are Some Of Your Limitations For A Career Change?

Why Do I Want A New Career?

As you start to consider a career change, you will have many thoughts running through your mind. You will begin with lots of ‘why’s questioning your existing position. Should I change my career? Is it my career that I want to change, or is it something else? I’m feeling unappreciated, bored, and unchallenged. Is it my career or my job I want to change? Is it all about money or job satisfaction? What about work-life balance, family demands, or being challenged in a role? Am I good enough? Whatever your thoughts are, write them down. This will help you gain clarity on what is worrying you in your current role.

What Possibilities Available To You? 

If you decide it is a career you want, it is helpful to gain a clear understanding of your skills, experience, values, and career options. Break out of your thinking and take some time to reflect on reasons what is driving you forward and what is holding you back. Untangles your whirling mind of ‘what if’s’ and start by weighing up what is best for you

Here are some questions you could ask yourself

What do I aspire to?

Will this make me fulfilled?

Why do I want to achieve this?

What are my strengths, and how can I build on these?

What are my values? Will this change enable me to be all that I am?

What is holding me back?

What is driving me forward?

How long will it take me to achieve this?

What do I need to do to make this happen?

What are my options if the worst-case scenario happens?

Solving The Problems For Career Change

From the lists you have created above, write a new T Chart list of challenges and solutions.

Start in the left column; this list will summarise all the negatives from taking that career change. Then, in the right column, write at least one potential solution to each negative you listed. Finally, list all how you could overcome the pitfalls. The solutions may not be immediately available to you and may take several steps to achieve, but you think big and long term.

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A Favourable Life Decision

Taking all the whirling thoughts out of your mind and putting them on paper will help you look at them more objectively and take a pragmatic approach. It will help you focus on tackling the solutions rather than being daunted by the problem.

Asking yourself questions is an excellent first step to decide if you should change your career. It will help you identify why you want to change, and what you would like to do will allow you to define your new job and plan for the life you want. Whatever the reason, planning a career change is a favorable life decision. Furthermore, having the strength and courage to make such a significant change in your life demonstrates a wide range of skills: independence, adaptability, fortitude, bravery, and mental strength.