Susan began to notice a pattern related to her bouts of anxiety. Every Sunday evening, while reviewing her work schedule for Monday, she would feel frustrated, and had difficulty concentrating on the simplest task. These symptoms also appeared during the week, both on and off the job. She just thought it was stress, but it was when she started loosing 2-4 hours sleep each night that she decided something was seriously wrong.
Dealing with unnecessary pressure from her boss and co-workers, she felt awful when they were together. Susan decided after multiple run-ins with resistance and feeling a lack of satisfaction on the job that it was time for her to make a change. She felt it was time to pursue her idea of starting a home gourmet popcorn business.
1. Know yourself
Take the time to journey inward and evaluate your likes and dislikes, hobbies, types of environments you enjoy and personalities you work well with and try to link these up with careers that match. Easier said than done, right? Formal evaluations, such as Holland’s Self-Directed Search or the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey are great tools, but beware. You may discover something surprising. Carefully consider the results. If you’ve never picked up a musical instrument and your results show a high aptitude for musical ability don’t make that appointment with Sony Records just yet!
2. Take a look at why you want to leave your current position
Factors such as stress, salary, status and respect are common reasons why employees decide to take their talents elsewhere. Decide why you want to jump ship and be true to yourself about how to improve yourself. Workshops and self-help books are great motivators for change. Don’t be embarrassed by collecting books of this nature. The average adult owns 10-20 books from How to Quit Smoking to Dealing Effectively with Negative People.
3. Figure out what you are driven by
What’s important to you now? Our priorities change constantly, so whether it’s money, title, location, vacation time, flexibility or the ability to work at home, six months from now you may have other motives for living a happy work life. By concentrating on the present, you’ll be able to accomplish goals that may lead you to something even better.
4. Create a support system
Family, friends, former co-workers and acquaintances are assets in your quest for a better situation. Treat them nicely. They provide inspiration and comfort during the difficult times.
5. Analyze your skills and credentials
Might you be better off going back to earn a MBA or MFA? This might be too costly, but consider giving your abilities a tune-up. Distant learning courses, local enrichment workshops or critique groups who meet regularly are excellent ways of enhancing your skills. Everyone want to hire energized people who will get the job done while being open to training and professional growth. It can only improve your present positioning and you could meet some interesting new people.
6. Consult with a professional
If you would rather have assistance during this trying time, consult with a professional. Career coaches and counselors are available to talk you through some of your decisions. The good ones facilitate the process and make sure you’ve considered everything, and then guide you through the next steps. The fees range from reasonable to unreasonable so try to figure out if the individual will meet your needs after a (hopefully free) first session.
7. Test the Field
Network with people in your field of interest. Informal interviews are great ways to learn more about positions. Most people are open to spending 10-15 minutes of their lunch- time to discuss what they do. If not, then you have an idea of how busy you would be if you eventually landed that job.
8. Create a short term plan
Give yourself a week to make a list of people to talk to, two weeks to speak to at least two of them, and so on. Write down dates to perform the tasks and check them off when completed. This will give your confidence a boost and a feeling of accomplishment.
9. Create a long term plan
Where do you expect to be in a year? 3-5 years? Review the short-term goals you accomplished, as well as the bigger picture. You may need to re-evaluate due to life events. Your spouse may get a new job offer in another state, having a child and planning to retire early may become more important than a major career change. Balancing your hearts’ desires with loved ones is challenging but refreshing.
10. How you spend your free time says a lot about what you really want to do
No, I don’t mean watching Monday night football every night or shopping endlessly at the mall. If you have a hobby, how about turning it into a small business? Love playing with kids? Opening a day care may be something worthwhile. Time is so precious, we really can’t afford to miss out on what we love to do. Getting paid to do it is a battle worth conquering, but it requires stamina, commitment and patience. Just think of how happy you’ll be- and everyone will take notice.