How to Make a Radical Career Change

Fulfillment in our lives and careers stems from doing things that are aligned with our fundamental values - the things that are most important to us. Here are some questions that may spark new ideas for your next career steps:

Look forward 20 or so years: You are attending your retirement party where someone is giving a speech about YOU! What would you want them to say?

What really energizes you? Describe the type of work that you can't wait to start. What is it about the work that is so exciting?

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

What are your top 5 values? On a scale of 1-10, how well do you live these values now? What can you do to move toward a 10?

The good news is that you have identified several areas of interest! Congratulations!

Write your career interests down and choose the 2-3 that appeal to you most. Is there an overlap in two or more of these? That may point to a niche area that can help you more narrowly define your interest.

If your interests are widely divergent, start by choosing the one that draws you the most right now. Dedicate one week to dive deeply into the topic: research this career on the internet; read trade magazines; talk to practitioners. Learn about the day-to-day activities on the job and possible career paths. Explore the financial and intrinsic rewards. Investigate the skills required and educational programs related to this career. Unearth everything you can find.

Imagine yourself doing the job day in and day out: What would you love about it? What would be boring or challenging for you? Who will be your clients and co-workers? Will you enjoy dealing with the people involved in this business?
While exploring the topic, tune in to your emotions. You may start your week excited and feeling fully committed to a given career direction. And as you immerse yourself in the details and "feel" what it might be like to live the reality, your excitement might cool. Keep a journal to record your impressions.

Amy, coming from a consulting background, explored the worlds of interior design, botanical illustration, art therapy and psychology. Aspects of each excited her, but by thoroughly exploring the realities of these interests (For example: working as an artist herself would be too isolating, she didn't want to go back to school for more graduate degrees, her financial expectations may not be met) she realized that those careers would not be satisfying on a daily basis. However, she did notice overlaps related to the arts and advising which yielded a new possibility: Now she is a thriving business coach specializing in helping designers and artists start their small businesses.

Once narrowed to an area of focus, it's time to explore further. Don't let fear of the unknown stop you now! Gather the information you need to make sure your next step is the right career choice. Read: 5 Steps to Prevent a Career Change Mistake below.

Carrie, dissatisfied with her current career, came for coaching because she didn't want to take a wrong next step. "I know what I don't want to do!" she says, "But I'm terrified that I'll choose the wrong job and end up right back where I am now: unhappy and unmotivated."

Does this sound familiar? So many face this trouble: Unhappy in career, but paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice. Instead of choosing a direction to go, we become overwhelmed with our choices and end up stuck right where we are.

In exploring her career interests further, Carrie returns to a central theme regularly. Truth be told, Carrie has a pretty good idea of what she'd really like to do next and it's a pretty radical career change. Understandably, her fear of the unknown - of making the wrong decision - is holding her back.

We make decisions based on the best information we have at the time. Carrie needs to gather knowledge and immerse herself in her new area of interest to help mitigate the risk of taking that next step. Action is powerful. Thoroughly exploring her new career aspirations, Carrie is taking responsibility for her life. Not only will she gain the information needed to make the best career decision, she'll increase her self esteem and ability to move ahead powerfully with the change.

Investigating a new career doesn't require that Carrie quit her current job. In the short term, having the stability of a job - even one that isn't satisfying - is essential for most people. It gives the emotional and financial freedom to gain clarity through your exploration.

Here are 5 steps you can take to explore your budding career interests that will help you make a confident choice:

1) Read trade magazines

Use the Internet or an industry association to find the trade magazines and newsletters for your industry. Read trade publications to soak in the "culture" of this career. Learn the vocabulary and understand industry trends. Find out when industry events are scheduled. Read about industry luminaries and how they got to where they are.

A major career change is like a new wardrobe (figuratively and sometimes literally!) Try it on for size and see how you feel: does the industry feel natural and comfortable? Can you see "wearing" it long term?

Additionally, as you adopt the language and knowledge of your new career, you'll be able to communicate more successfully with others in the industry, which is an important next step.

2) Go to conferences and industry events

Network! When making a career change there is no step more important than networking. Talk to people in the industry at local and national events. Let them know of your interest. Ask your burning questions. You'll find that most are more than willing to help you along your path.

By networking you'll learn a lot about the people and companies in the industry. You may also find mentors and champions who are essential to your future success. Networking gives you an essential foundation for entering the new profession: connection with your new community and a way to decide whether these are people you want to be in community with!

3) Take a class

Continuing education courses are offered through many universities and industry associations. Taking a class on your subject has multiple benefits: you gain skills and knowledge to help your transition, and you also gain access to a network of industry professionals.

Understandably, taking classes is not an option for everyone. However, at least take some time to research the education available in your area of interest. Is advanced coursework, certification or licensure expected by employers? Are specific areas of knowledge emphasized? These insights may impact your decision to enter into the field.

4) Test drive

Try out your chosen career. Volunteer for a project through the industry association. Arrange to assist or shadow a friend or a mentor to experience their day-to-day activities on the job. In some fields you may even find a Vocation Vacation that will give you firsthand experiences such as coffee house owner, fashion designer, or museum curator. Check it out!

5) Do it

If you still feel you are on the right track, but are not ready to leave your current job figure out how you can work your new interests into your life as it is now. Maybe you can do some free lance work after hours or on the weekends. Perhaps volunteer to do a project for a non-profit. Getting solid experience on your resume will smooth the transition to the new career later.

Also consider integrating your new interest into your current work situation. Identify a need in your company that will benefit from your skills in this new area of interest and propose a project to fill the gap. A "stretch project" such as this may put more work on your plate immediately but it will give you the satisfaction of doing the work you desire. Just make sure to define the project carefully to meet your needs as well as the company's. For more information about stretch projects read: Radical Change Strategy: Stir Things Up with a Project.

Taking the steps above will give you detailed information about your next career steps. This will lessen the risk associated with the change and help you make your decision with complete confidence.

Carol daydreams of catching an illness that would land her in the hospital so she won't have to go to work. Sarah admits that she envies the homeless man on the sidewalk outside her office because he doesn't have to practice law.

Hard to admit! But sometimes ANYTHING sounds better than working at our jobs. And I'm not just talking about employees. Entrepreneurs can get this burned out and unhappy at work too.

If this is where you are today -- before you hand in your resignation -- stop and think about what would make you happy at work and, be honest, what really needs to change?

Sometimes what needs to change is you!

Changing your mind will change your career.

I've been speaking and writing on this topic a lot recently, so I've decided to capture my thinking in a special report to guide you through your own "radical career change." It includes TEN fundamental strategies to become more self-aware and more powerful in your job, along with exercises, and links to related resources from self-help experts such as Byron Katie and Marilee Adams.

Are you ready to own that your job satisfaction is within your control? Courage is required. So is creativity and a willingness to look hard at how you operate and the views you hold. Shifting your experience requires changing your mindset, connecting with yourself and others in positive ways and showing up as the powerful human being that you are.

To get the full report, sign up for Laura's newsletter and you will receive a welcome email with the download link.

Marcus Buckingham (Now Discover Your Strengths) has teamed up with Oprah to bring you a gift: a free self study web-workshop facilitated by Career Coach Marcus Buckingham.

Using his "strengths training" approach, Marcus advises us to stop spending so much time trying to fix our weaknesses. Instead, focus on what makes you special and unique. "A strength is an activity that makes you feel strong," he says. "If you want to know what your strength is, you've got to pay attention to how you feel. It feels like focus. It feels like concentration. You feel invigorated. Energized.".

Check out the workshop on the Oprah.com site.