Make A Change For The Better

Do you find yourself imagining what it would be like to make a complete career change? Maybe you daydream about packing it all in to live a No Going Back-style life in Tuscany? Your dream might just be more of a possibility than you think. But before you hand in your notice, put the house on the market and buy a plane ticket, stop to consider some your reasons behind making such a total life overhaul and the challenges that may lie ahead.

Many people get to a point in their career where they start to question what they're doing on a day-to-day basis and dwell on the negative aspects of their job. When this happens you really need to be honest with yourself. Just because you're feeling under the weather (you didn't get that pay rise, your relationship is going through a rough patch, or it's the middle of winter and you desperately need some sun) it doesn't mean you are ready to make a drastic change that will affect the rest of your life, and your livelihood. The I-Ching has a great proverb that could get you through this: the lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

So you've decided that you really can't take another day in the same job. In this case, self-analysis is of the utmost importance. Evaluate your life and work out exactly what you want from it. Think about what makes you happiest and take the time to really analyse your strengths and weaknesses. Where do you want to be in five years' time? What would you have to do to achieve this, and are you willing to make some sacrifices to get there? What relevant skills from your current job or interests do you have, and how can you translate these into making you more desirable to a prospective employer?

Don't kid yourself: money does matter. Your ambitions will be harder to fulfil without it, so you need to work out if you want something badly enough. If you plan to work your way up a new career ladder, the chances are you will have to accept a decrease in pay. If you're planning to do further study, you will probably need to consider taking out a loan. Whatever the circumstances, it's easy to underestimate the daily costs involved such as transport, accommodation and general living expenses.

Timing is essential. Develop an action plan for yourself by setting short- and long-term goals, taking note of any small achievements along the way, and give yourself a final deadline. Once you've made the decision to resign from your job, weighed up the pros and cons and evaluated your personal circumstances, it's important you keep the momentum up by devising an action plan. Remember why you're doing this, and realise that achieving your goals will take time, hard work and patience.

Talk to your family and friends and explain why you're doing this and how important it is to you. It is crucial to have some emotional support while you're going through such a transition. Before, during and after you will experience a mixture of emotions - fear of the unknown and liberation at the thought of all the exciting new possibilities. Changing your job can be disastrous if you're doing it for the wrong reasons, but if you've thought things through properly, the only way is up!