The 5 Myths of Career Change

The world is changing

We are in a period of Renaissance.

Working men and women:

Are freeing themselves from tight boxes, and joyless job titles.

Are unleashing themselves from self-imposed straight jackets.

Are fleeing the 9-5 treadmill in droves for freedom and independence.

To change their lives – by finding their dream job, retraining, going on a big adventure, writing a book, starting a new business – all at once if it pleases them to do so.

These professionals:

• Can powerfully assist many others to achieve big, positive, business and personal goals.

• Can help each other through connection, collaboration, and partnership, to the benefit of all.

• Can advise, challenge, and grow the best leaders of tomorrow.

But the vast majority feel stuck in the same job, but more work, less pay; same industry but less growth, no challenges; same path fewer options. It’s entirely possible that you’ve trudged as far as you can go on this path and that the slog is just going to be more of the same. Possible.

But I don’t believe it

Why?

Because I fervently believe you can tap into the extra-ordinary capacity for change that comes with the energy and experience of life. If you’re up for the choice.

The new Renaissance (the one we’re living through, the one that’s changing everything) has opened doors for anyone (with enough resources and education to be reading this). If you’ve got the time, the intellect, and the mindset to learn how to deal with uncertainty, you now have the opportunity to turn your sitaution around, regardless of what you do, who it’s with,  or what other’s around you expect.

The old ways we grew up with are disappearing and being replaced by new ways of interacting, making a living and making a difference. Not just for organisations, but for individuals, – people like you.

It’s why Careersafterforty was created. To help anyone (like you) in search of change, increase your chances of getting started on a good path.

However there’s a basic problem.

The typical burned out, stressed out -or merely disaffected professional looking for change knows that he or she wants something new but doesn’t (yet) know what. Those of us with a little more direction come equipped with a long list of career ideas – usually padded with ideas that really do not appeal. Sometimes it’s just easier stay put and shut up (even if you hate every minute of your work).

Don’t get me wrong. Changing career isn’t one long soak in the bath tub. A true change in direction is terrifying. No two ways about it.

But new tools, new ways to access job markets, new ways of networking, and new economic patterns have given us a lot more varied ways of making a living, even if we’re doing something traditional.

And education about how to navigate career change is so much better (cheaper, easier to find, more comprehensive), than it was when I started poking around on the internet trying to figure out how I could change.

We don’t have to choose anymore between the personality profiling/tick box exercises (first pay up front £2,000 career consultations) and prescriptive ” one size fits all, magic formula’s.” There’s pay what you can, face to face and telephone options.

The 5 Myths Of Career Change

Looking back, what kept me in a day job for so long? I found what I call 5 myths of career change. These are 5 ideas that might still be true for landing a job under normal circumstances. Or maybe they’re just make-believe. It doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that these myths can be ignored. Even if you have already taken the leap, these myths can still trip you up. They can keep you from changing, growing, and really enjoying the experience of change, and from crafting a career that supports your life, rather than suffocates it.

Here are the five myths I’ve zoomed in on:

• That our true path is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered at the core of our inner being.

• The key to successful career change lies in knowing – with as much clarity and certainty as possible – what we really want to do and then implementing a sound strategy to get from A-B.

• That people who change careers in their forties have to be crazy risk takers or some kind of special breed of human being…that they’re “different” from you or me

• Once we know and understand our personality, needs, and core values we can go out and find a job or organisation that matches.

• Whatever happens, we must not make a move until we are 100% certain that we know exactly where we are going. ( Crystal balls at the ready!!)

So, are you serious about transformation? I don’t mean the polishing yourself, improving yourself, making things a bit better kind of transformation. I’m talking about a complete overhaul in what you believe and how you work. If you’re up for that, then right here, right now you can start:

Be yourself, use your talents, do work that matters.

9 words available to anyone. They’re here if you want them. These turbulent times just presented you with the opportunity to make a difference, to spread your wings, and fly. What are you going to do about that? When?

Here are 5 ideas available for anyone (like you) in search of reinvention.

1.Change your mind. Right now.You don’t need more knowledge, or more certificates because you have access to more knowledge than you can handle. What you need is the mindset to actually get out there and use what you know.

2. Learn to live with uncertainty and take risks. If you stay within what’s known and safe (especially if you hate it), you will never be truly successful. Doing what’s uncertain and risky isn’t easy, and that’s why the people who do it are rewarded.

3. Lead – which simply means going out and doing things, rather than thinking and talking about doing those things.

4. Stop trying to find your one true path and accept the crooked path. Introspection can make starting even harder. Instead get out of your cage and start flirting with new possibilities.

5. Start believing you can do it. That might sound rah-rah but it’s very important. We train ourselves into believing we can do some things and can’t do others.

What you can do, or dream, begin it.

You already took a first step by reading this post. Together we can learn and turn your career around. I hope you’re with me.

If you are then please leave your comments below.

You are part of Careersafterforty. I don’t mean simply as a reader. I mean as a contributor too. I am assuming that you are already a successful and highly capable professional, in your 30s’/ 40′s/50′s.  You already have some experience. A story to tell. We want to hear your stories, and experiences in the commenting section of the blog posts.

Your contribution will inspire other readers enormously. Collectively we can learn more than individually. Become part of the Renaissance.

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