So what if you are really good at what you do, but you don’t want to do that job or career anymore?
In yesterday’s post we discussed becoming pigeonholed in a career, and the fallout that comes from being burned out if you stay in that same “stuck” place for too long. Take heart – a mid-career switch can be challenging, but there’s hope – it can be done, although it may not be easy. Here are some steps you can take:
1) Take on different work assignments that are not necessarily paid. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything that you do has to be paid work! This is a bad habit to get into (of course you can’t work for free for the rest of your life), but if you take on this attitude, then you will miss some terrific volunteer and pro bono opportunities. Volunteering your time for new assignments allows you to try new roles while staying in your current job.
So start doing something else part-time or “on-the-side” until you become known as an expert in that as well. Believe me, I know this from personal experience (changing from an instructor to a coach). This allows you to build your skills and experience in a certain area, and eventually you will become known for your expertise and accepted in your new role as well.
Take Leita Hart, a CPA profiled in Chapter 5 of my book, Full-Time Woman, Part-Time Career. Leita started out doing some pro bono work for a prestigious organization prior to leaving her full-time job to go out on her own. She says “If you have those clients on your resume, it looks good. Those clients lent me their name, not their money.”
Another example is from the world of tennis. Jim Courier and Mary Jo Fernandez, both former players, are now announcers for various networks for the sport. Former fans not only have accepted them in these roles, but look forward to and enjoy their commentary.
2) Step up. What does that mean, exactly? If you’re still working full-time, start volunteering for new assignments at work. If there is a project that doesn’t have a lead, volunteer. If someone needs some help on a project, help them. Research and/or learn a new software package. Volunteering for new assignments takes you out of your comfort zone (and rut!) into new territory. Very often, people discover newfound skills, tasks, and opportunities that arise as a result of these experiences.
3) Build a new network. To move in a new direction, you need new connections. Reach out to people who can give you a fresh perspective on what you’re trying to achieve. If you tend to be around the same exact colleagues and professional people for long periods of time, then you need to meet new people in different professional areas. How can you build a new career by hanging around the same people who are still in the same field doing what you no longer want to do?
Nancy Fox, a high-level dynamic business coach, offers the following advice on creating a new network: “You must learn to network in the right way. Make it your business to learn networking skills. Network up, not down. Look for opportunities where you can meet and mix with high-level, big thinking people. It can take 2 years, but it is possible to build a new network from scratch!”
4) Tell everyone you know what you want to do. Tell others the story of who you hope to become professionally. Sometimes saying it aloud will help you visualize where it is that you want to go. It will also help clarify your intentions and keep you motivated. Plus, you might win the support of whoever you are talking to, and they just might help you get where you want to go!
Now here are some other questions for you:
Are you pigeonholed in your career?
If so, do you think any of these techniques will work for you?
Is reinventing yourself the same as a career change?
What if you’re good at what you do, and people keep pulling you back to your old career? What then? Do you resist at all costs?
What’s holding you back?
That third step is the kicker. Too many people want to make changes, but don’t realize that they have already surrounded themselves with folks that are crucial to their existing careers. To expand into different areas, you need folks with different vistas and capabilities- the ones who travel in the circles to which you wish entree!
And, if you don’t tell them what/why/who you are and can do- then, they won’t consider you for one of the opportunities of which they are aware.
GREAT post, Karen.
Roy, the problem I am encountering is that every time I tell people what I am trying to accomplish someone will take my idea and run away with it before I have a chance to finish it 🙂 Or, even worse, they will try to stop me from implementing – that’s how I know which ideas are good…
And, talking from experience, it’s awfully hard to first finish whatever new idea you had by yourself and then start re-networking!
This is a great post – as it shows I’m doing the right things… thanks for sharing!
And yes, I need to work on that #3 too – now… if you post an article on how to do the new networking… I’ll be grateful 🙂
I am grateful anyhow – thank you for a great post!
Hi Alicia,
Glad I could help you, and thanks for giving me an idea for another blog post!
Karen