How To Stay Sane While Navigating A Career Change

It’s crazy how older generations agree that teenagers are immature and incapable of making long-term decisions, yet they expect us to have our entire career planned out by the time we’re 16. Even most scientists agree that the human brain doesn’t finish maturing until between the ages of 23 and 25. It is therefore only natural that your plans and values change as we get more valuable life experience.

One of those experiences may lead you to realize that the career you have chosen isn’t something you want to do for the rest of your life after all. There is no shame in that, but there are no clear guidelines for what to do next. Here is some advice to help you stay afloat while you figure out your next step.

Here is some advice to help you stay afloat while you figure out your next career step.Click To Tweet

To change, or not to change

Is your career the cause of your unhappiness, or do you just need to look for a new job? Take a weekend to figure out if you want to find a new calling, or you just want to quit your job. It’s going to be much harder sorting out an entirely new career plan than just updating your resume and job hunting within your current profession.

Stay motivated

Searching for a new career is going to be difficult without factoring in your existing job. In fact, you may be tempted to just give up and stay miserable instead of trying to balance your current job and a hypothetical career. But you can’t give up before you start. Do whatever you can to keep yourself motivated; read college brochures, attend workshops, or check out these motivational quotes from growthfreaks.com and stick them on your desk. Anything that keeps you excited about the newest challenge in your life is fair game.

Eliminate your options

Suddenly there are endless career options in front of you. You might find this exciting, or you may find it overwhelming. Don’t worry; unlike when you were in high school or college, you’re not on a deadline to make a decision. Take your time, and start by narrowing your options. Maybe you should even start by deciding on what you don’t want to be doing. If you hate doing paperwork in your current job, you can eliminate admin and office jobs. You can free yourself from being chained to a desk by choosing an outdoor job, or one that involves more movement. The options are endless, but your perfect job is out there waiting for you. Don’t fret if the job hunt takes longer than you thought either. Use that time to hone your skills and make yourself even more employable. 

 How To Stay Sane While Navigating A Career Change
How To Stay Sane While Navigating A Career Change

Education

Don’t limit your options to your current qualifications. Even if you change your mind all over again (remember, this is allowed) furthering your career with education is never a bad thing. You’d be hard-pressed to find an employer who doesn’t look favorably on someone taking the initiative to learn new skills. You don’t even need to go back to school. There are many online courses available on a wide range of subjects, or you could volunteer and learn while giving back.

How To Stay Sane While Navigating A Career Change appeared first on Mompreneur Media