When to consider a career change and the questions to ask
My career as a headhunter led me to
meet with many talented professionals. We exchanged on their passions and their
career aspirations. Some of them transformed their passion into a new career or
business, while others decided not to follow their passion, preferring to
remain in their "comfort zone" for many understandable and pragmatic
reasons.
Pursuing one’s passion is not for
everyone: every situation is different!
The following are 2 examples of
pursuing one’s passion with advice for each.
Exploring a new career
Following a passion is not necessarily
about giving up the option of a paid full-time employment, it can be about
finding a new full-time career that better corresponds to what you want from a
job or in many cases a salary increase!
Ask yourself “what gives me fulfilment and purpose”
You can ask additional questions such as:
Is this what I really want to do?
Do I find a sense of purpose in doing
this?
Do I have the necessary drive, energy,
and motivation to see it through?
Do I have the necessary skills to make
it work?
If you are lacking in certain skills,
educate yourself by following relevant training or education.
Remember that it is one thing to be
passionate about something, however, changing a career path merits prior
reflection.
Exploring launching a business
If your choice is to start your own
business, you should be asking the prior questions, as well as the following:
Is my business idea likely to work?
Is this sustainable in the long-term?
Do I have an entrepreneurial mindset?
Am I prepared to put in the hard work
and long hours to launch and grow the business?
Is this the right timing?
Do I have the support of my family and
friends?
Will I be able to make a living from the business?
Before launching a business, you need
to write a business plan. The content of the business plan will depend on the
business concept and whether you are seeking finance or not.
Whether your choice is to pursue a
new career or start your own business, it is advisable to ask yourself the
right questions and to have a realistic vision of where you want to go and what
income you need to generate to pay the bills and extras.
Before embarking on a new project, be honest with yourself and ask the advice of close friends and family. Do they see you happy and motivated in this type of role or as an entrepreneur?
To
begin a new project, it is always good to have the feedback, support and
encouragement of people who know you well.
Whatever choice you make, it will
require hard work, confidence, motivation and continued passion. In the long
run, if you manage to turn what you love doing into your perfect career or your
own business, you are more likely to be satisfied and happy.
“You can do anything as long as you
have the passion, the drive, the focus and the support”
Sabrina Bryan
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