This lens is all about helping you find a career you love.
Let me ask you something -- are you excited and enthusiastic about your current job? Do you look forward to going to work each day? Do you so enjoy what you do that you lose track of time?
If you can't answer yes to these questions, most likely you're in the wrong career.
Many people hesitate to change jobs because they aren't sure that the next one will be any better. That's where I come in. I help you find your ideal career through my one-on-one career coaching and teleclasses. Visit my website for all the details.
I hope you'll take advantage of the tips and suggestions I've included in this lens to help you find your ideal career. But first, please take a few moments to complete the poll below.
Thinking About A Career Change?
Things to Keep in Mind
It's important to know it's okay to be fearful. In fact, the discomfort you're experiencing is actually a good sign because it means you're beginning to step outside your comfort zone.
Amidst the anxiety, you're probably also feeling some excitement. You're ready to make the change so let's get to it! Embrace that motivation -- tap into it because it will keep you moving forward.
Realize that changing careers is a process that generally takes time. (It took me about three years from leaving my full-time position to creating a full-time coaching practice.) Be patient -- not only with the process but with yourself as well. Don't rush into a decision about a new job just because you want things to be over with.
Always be alert to opportunities and ideas so you can follow up on them right away.
And most of all, take care of yourself. Don't let the stress of changing careers take its toll on your health, mental attitude, or relationships.
Finding the Career You Love
Grumble, Grumble, Grumble
This probably doesn't surprise you. How many times have you been at a party or out to dinner with friends when the conversation turns into one big gripe-fest on the most loathed aspects of your job? It's almost a contest to see who's got it the worst at work!
Since work is such a big part of life, it's not uncommon for it to sneak into our conversations. There's something about commiserating over all the hardships we endure that makes us feel connected with each other. It's somehow comforting to know that we're all in the same boat.
But what if we connected over how much we enjoyed our jobs instead? What would that be like?
Hard to imagine?
Believe it or not, when you're in a position that you thoroughly enjoy or in a career that you're passionate about ... you actually want to discuss the joys of what you do.
Let's explore what it takes to find that type of career.
Steps to a New Career
Do Some Self-Assessment
If you're like most people, your job is vitally important to you -- and the idea of changing careers can put knots in your stomach and totally stress you out.
So it's essential for you to release any tension you have and allow the process to flow. Breathe deeply and easily. Permit your mind to consider new possibilities. Remember: there are unlimited options out there and income can be achieved in so many creative and fulfilling ways!
Realize that you can do and be anything. As you feel yourself letting go of that nervous, negative energy, open up your mind to the new and exciting career possibilities that await you.
Next, acknowledge your career situation: how did you get where you are today? Is it possible to recreate that process and go in an entirely new direction? Of course it is!
Consider these questions:
It's important that you answer these questions because your answers will guide you in your search for a new career.
Set Some Goals
Prepare Yourself for Change
Your goals need to be tangible, measurable, realistic, and achievable. They need to stretch you beyond what you'd normally do in order to move forward.
Some examples of general goals might be:
Then you need to break down each of these into sub-goals and set timelines. For example, you may set 6 months as the amount of time you allow yourself to learn a new skill.
Of course, the most important step is to 'work the plan.' Setting goals in one thing, but if you don't put action behind them, you're already on the road to defeat.
Seek Support
A Vitally Important Step
Here are some sources of support you may want to consider:
It's so important to feel like you have someone who understands what you're going through during the sometimes unpredictable, yet exhilarating, career transition time.
Great Books from Amazon
Each one will aid you both in life and your career search
Taming Your Gremlin (Revised Edition): A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way
I recommend this book because it will help you manage those negative voices in your head. It's full of strategies for losing those self-defeating thoughts that can hold you back and replacing them with confident ones that spur you on to bigger and better things.
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 01/01/2010) 
The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People (Career Guide For...)
This career guide will help you dream outside of the box while you are searching for the right career. It combines inspirational success stories and self-evaluation tools to help you find a career that won't stifle your creative drive.
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 01/01/2010)
Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't
Did you like the movie The Secret? When you follow the step-by-step process in this book, it will help you determine what you really want out of life and how to get it.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
Do What You Are : Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type--Revised and Updated Edition Featuring E-careers for the 21st Century
If you think you might be unhappy in your career because your job clashes with your personality, then this is a great book to read! Not only will it help you avoid careers that you won't enjoy, but it will also help you discover the career that is the best fit for you.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success
Amazon Price: $11.86 (as of 01/01/2010)
Now it's your turn ...
Do you find this information useful? What would you like to know more about in your search for the ideal career? Share your dreams as well as your frustrations.
by Hallie
I'm Hallie Crawford and I'm a career coach. This means I help people find a career they love.
My coaching career came about because I experienced the...
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