Five Facts You Must Know When Changing Careers

Too often in life, we fail. We fail not because we set our goals to high and miss achieving our aspirations. Instead, we fail because we set our dreams too low and we achieve them. If we achieve what we set out to do then how is this considered to be a failure? Failure occurs when we are not fulfilling our highest aspirations. Theresa Castro, executive career coach and author of The Dark Before the Dawn: 70 Secrets to Self-discovery, provides insight on what anyone can do while they are in the midst of wanting to change careers.

ADOPT THE INNONENCE OF A CHILD

We begin our lives as children with lofty goals. For example, a child might decide that they would like to grow up and become an astronaut and travel to the moon. This child doesn't have the ability to place any limitations on themselves. They don't think about what degree they need to possess in order to be an astronaut. They don't become worried about all of the details that are necessary to achieve this dream. Instead, the child just knows that they are passionate about space exploration. When you are in the midst of a career change, think and dream like a child. Let your passions lead you in a direction that is right for you.

ELIMINATE ANY LIMITATIONS

Society, friends and/or family members can put a damper on your hopes and tell you that you are incapable of achieving your highest vision. You may be told that you are too old, not smart enough, don't have enough money, don't have the right education or experience or just simply are the wrong race or sex. The reality of these limitations exists only in the mind. You have the choice to either believe or doubt the limitations. That's right, you have a choice. You can choose to be like the great composer, Beethoven, who was once told by his music teacher that as a composer he was hopeless. Beethoven recognized that he would not be stopped by the label that his music teacher placed on him even despite the fact that he was deaf.

GET RID OF THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T SUPPORT YOU

When you are changing careers, you may find that you struggle with your own bouts of self-doubt. The last thing that you need is for other people to tell you what you should and shouldn't be doing especially when you recognize that they are not fully supporting your efforts. With these people (and we all have them in our lives), you will need to advise them that you love and care for them but you would appreciate if they kept their comments about your ambitions to themselves. If you don't eliminate outer sources of negativity, you will find your passions getting buried deep inside yourself.

RECOGNIZE THAT MONEY IS AS PLENTIFUL AS THE AIR

People sometimes don't pursue a particular career path because they believe that they won't make the same or more money than what they are currently earning. Again, recognize that this belief is a limitation. Work towards eliminating these thought patterns. Instead, realize that with any and every job, you have the potential to make as much money as you desire. That's right. You can make as much money as you desire. Even though Henry Ford was poor and uneducated, he dreamed of a horseless carriage and his dream became a reality of what we know today as the automobile. Thus, you must have the mindset that money is just as plentiful as air.

Do you ever find yourself concerned that you might not have enough air? Do you keep track of the number of breaths that you are taking within the day so that you don't run out? The answer is no and in fact someone would think that you are crazy if you thought that you were going to experience an air shortage. The same is true for money. The mindset of plenty is the first step in creating the wealth that accompanies your passions.

LOOK AHEAD

The best way to squelch your fears is to keep your eyes focused on the dream that you desire. Stephen Covey says that you should have the end in mind. Ask yourself, what do you ultimately want to become? What do you want people to say about you when you die? When you stay focused on your dream, it becomes easier to attain since you can then develop the necessary steps that will take you from where you are today to where you want to be. Making a career change then becomes less daunting and more systematic.

Keep in mind that if you work 40 hours per week then you will work about 2000 hours per year. Even if you are five years away from retirement, could you fathom doing your job for another 10,000 more hours? If not, make a change in your career. Your future and happiness are waiting for you!

Theresa Castro, MBA, dedicates her life to assist others to stop dreading the workday and to discover a passionate and fulfilling career. She is a career coach and author of The Dark Before the Dawn: 70 Secrets to Self-discovery and The Secrets to Discovering Your Dream Job. Visit http://www.DiscoverYourDreamJob.com for more information and to sign up for a free 3 day mini-course.

---

Employees, Get Used to Working under Surveillance

Let's face it. Monitoring employees' e-mail, tracking their Internet use,... Read More

Thank-You Notes: Your Thoughtfulness will be Rewarded

I get asked these questions over and over: "Should I... Read More

18 Career Enhancement Caveats

Core value investing in your careerMany people walk through their... Read More

Get That Job: Mastering Job Interviews

I've heard it said?in fact, it might well have been... Read More

Career Job Satisfaction - Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!

Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can... Read More

Avoiding Tire Kickers as Job Seekers

With the economy heating up and employment prospects opening up... Read More

Benefits of Maintaining a Career Portfolio

Have you ever tried to contact a past employer only... Read More

Resumes That Rock (16 Expert Tips)

It's never too early to update your resume, even if... Read More

Preventing The Runaway Candidate

Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating... Read More

The Dog Days of Job Hunting

Does a headline like this scare you? it should because... Read More

Do You Need Help Writing A Winning Cover Letter?

Your cover letter is critical to your success. It sets... Read More

How To Create A Winning Impression In Your New Job

Congratulations! You've just been appointed to your new job. Now... Read More

Are You Taking Your Inner Brat to Work?

Is your inner brat taking over your job? Everyone has... Read More

Using The Internet For Job-hunting

The Internet is a very useful tool for job seekers... Read More

Those Little Things

Moving to another state meant finding a new dentist. I... Read More

Job Interviews: Six Steps to Acing a Telephone Interview

Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's... Read More

What Do You Want From Life?

The tragedy for millions of people is that they never... Read More

Handling the Dreaded Why Did You Leave? Question

If you left your last job under less-than-ideal circumstances, you... Read More

Students Discover Your Niche By Using Career Assessment

In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More

Business & Career: Know Your Ruling Star!

"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More

Job Interviews & the Magic of Music

Can music help you with your next job interview? It... Read More

The Springtime of Your Career

Rick Jarow, author of Creating the Work You Love, introduced... Read More

Creating Traffic Jams

It's hard to imagine why anyone would pick up a... Read More

Job Search Tips - How to Increase Your Success

Finding a job can be a painful and difficult experience.... Read More

What To Do When HR Calls...

Generally, when you present yourself as a prospective candidate for... Read More

3 Resume Secrets the Pros Use

You don't write a resume every day. Not even every... Read More

So you want to work at home

There are several ways to work from home. Some of... Read More

Hair Dressing as a Career

Since the world started hair has been a very important... Read More

What Not To Include In Your Resume

Do you have a difficult time determining what does not... Read More

Telecommuting Interview Tips

Telecommuting Interview Tips- By Nell TaliercioYou've made it! Your cover... Read More

Phone Interviews: Prepare to Ace Them!

More companies are saving time and effort by doing initial... Read More

Writing Resumes

Use a resume as a foot in the doorWhen you... Read More

Cover Letters

Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to... Read More