Many of us would like a change in career direction, and it’s not unusual to find ourselves reflecting on our current career path and where we’d like to be. But equally many of us don’t feel brave enough to make the desired changes in our lives. The prospect of looking and trying to find something different is far too daunting. There are so many things to consider. So many questions spring to mind, such as, why do I want to change career (maybe the most telling question), what work do I really want to do, what skills and abilities do I have and….
When we look at the question of why we want a career change, there seems to be a multitude of possible reasons – boredom, feeling undervalued, loss of interest, feeling trapped, conflict with fellow workers or your boss, work having a negative impact on your life, or just something as simple as needing a new stimulus.
So, how to go about something as important and challenging as a change in your career?
It is good to take time to think about what you want to achieve and to explore your own values and skills. It may be helpful to write these down. You may have more than you think! You may enjoy the benefits of doing good and contributing to the welfare of others and making a difference, rather than the incentive of a large remuneration.
Consider what your ideal job would entail on a day-to-day basis, what would make your working life more enjoyable? Things like, would you enjoy working in a smaller team or for yourself, outdoors, from home, spending less time travelling? You may find achieving your career change may mean retraining. This can have implications for you and your family. You may have to start from square one again and live with the consequences of that, such as lack of status and money!
Once you have established the new career you are aiming for, create a plan about what you need to do to start moving towards it. So when thinking about your career change ‘plan of action’, remember, it is important to be positive. You are the one in control of your life and you can make any changes you want to it.
If you think you might be interested in training in CBT/REBT therapy remember to check out http://www.cbttherapies.org.uk/ for more information
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