Change can happen in many ways, whether it is a passion to achieve or a need to leave. In this post, I will explore the latter. Recently, this occurrence erupted in my career. I needed to take a breath; some time for reflection. But how do we change or redirect our lives in another direction? One that is more suitable for us and the time we are living in. I recently sat down with another changemaker to discuss this very topic.
Overnight Changes?
Kathy Harms, a photographer and writer, dramatically shifted her career. She went from being an emergency responder or paramedic to teaching others about it. From there, she became a full-time artist and writer. When we were discussing her shift, she pointed out that it was a gradual process. It didn’t just happen overnight. I think this is often the misconception the public gets when they see career shifts or people following their passion projects. We will discuss her process in more detail in the upcoming SEECHANGEMAKER November episode.
Career Shifts
For now, let’s explore some aspects to consider when considering a change. One point that motivated me was my ability to reflect on what aspects of my life resonate with me. I made a list of things and actions that I flourish in. This has helped me enormously. However, it needs to be more, so I read the succinct article “How To Change Career When You’ve No Idea What To Do Next” by Richard Alderson, founder of Careershifters.
In the article, he tells the reader first, “what you need to know”. He outlines simple conversational-based pieces of real-world considerations. For example, he discusses “the fear of change” because of the status a person has achieved up to a certain point in their career. Also, scouring job sites and talking to recruitment consultants may not be the best plan of action. Alderson says, “I wanted to do something radically different” and these avenues approach the job market from a traditional mindset. Since the trajectory is working from a complete overhaul, this method is not set up for career changemakers.
Feeling Lost?
In this “what you need to do” section, I appreciated the concept of surrounding myself with others. Under the heading, he says “Look for people, not for jobs”. People that you will resonate with. People that you can share information with regarding future ideals and goals. This is why we will explore Kathy Harm’s story about her career change. So, stay tuned for the upcoming episode.
Theresa K. Howell