If a new career is in the cards for you right now, you’ve probably been thinking about making a switch for awhile. Perhaps you don’t know which direction to take, or maybe you’re feeling stuck in your current job? Step one is to relax, define your goals, and have fun with the journey that you are about to embark on.

I believe that part of what holds us back from finding our new career path is a fear that we may “choose wrong” and regret our decision. It’s important to remember that what you decide today may not be what you want or do for the rest of your life. Some moves are stepping stones or transitions that we need to experience to get where we really want to be – and that’s ok!

Are you trying to figure out what is the next step for you in your new career, or are you contemplating what you are going to work at for the remainder of your professional journey? It’s common to feel overwhelmed by the need to get everything right, and this often leads us to see things in black and white. However, it’s important to allow yourself the flexibility to explore the grey areas of your life too! You don’t have to decide what you want to do for the rest of your new career right away. Taking time to explore your options can alleviate some of the pressure you might feel right now. Going slow may also result in discovering new options for yourself that you might not have considered before.

Start by figuring out what makes sense for you and set yourself up with the right next/first step. Your first step doesn’t have to be permanent and could last for 2 years, 5 years, or even 25 years. What’s most important is that this step helps you explore what best aligns with your current interests and circumstances. By being open to change and embracing the exploration of new opportunities, you give yourself the freedom to grow and evolve.

Growth is often about finding what resonates with you now and allowing that to guide you forward, step by step, in your new career journey.

If you don’t already have a solid inventory of your skills, now is the time. To make a change, it’s crucial to take time to understand what your strengths, likes, and skills are. As you venture onto your new career path, these foundational elements will serve as a launching pad for future endeavors. One effective method to discover your skills is to evaluate your past experiences. Reflect on the projects or tasks you’ve been involved with that truly excited and motivated you. Consider the situations where you felt most alive, energized, and able to perform at your best. Past experiences often highlight areas where you naturally excel and enjoy working the most. What skills did you bring to the table under these circumstances?

When we engage in activities that align with our strengths, we tap into a zone of productivity and fulfillment. Some call this the “flow state” and I’ve referred to it as the “sweet spot” before. Regardless of what we call it, this productive “zone” brings a sense of joy and satisfaction to our productivity and allows us to deliver our highest quality of work. By identifying these key areas, you will pinpoint your unique strengths and genuine interests. Use this insight to guide informed decisions about future roles or projects. Ultimately, this will help you pursue a career path that is both fulfilling and aligned with who you are. As you navigate your professional journey, focusing on these strengths and interests will steer you toward opportunities that are lucrative and rewarding.

Ask yourself – is there something that my friends or colleagues consistently come to me for? What others see as your strength(s) is a strong indicator of your natural talents or skills. Recognizing what you’re “known for” could be pivotal in your new career. For instance, perhaps you’re the go-to person whenever someone encounters a technical snag. Maybe you demonstrate a knack for problem-solving and a deep understanding of complex systems. Alternatively, you might be known as someone who has an exceptional ability to listen. Maybe people come to you because you always provide a sounding board and empathetic support during challenging times. Recognizing these strengths helps you identify potential career paths that will leverage your innate abilities.

Beyond this, consider the times friends have reached out to you for moral support or encouragement. When have people turned to you because they are facing overwhelming projects or need a confidence boost? How you supported them in theses situations highlights your interpersonal strengths. If you are routinely offering reassurance and motivation to others, you might be a good fit for roles in mentoring, coaching, or leadership within your new career. If you ever feel unsure about your key strengths, ask friends or relatives for their perspectives. Gather all of the observations that you haven’t considered, uncover skills and competencies that you can further develop professionally. Align your career choice with your authentic self for greater satisfaction and success.

When considering any big life changes (including switching careers), it can be very useful to follow a deliberate approach. Try this method to plot your new career change:

Assess – Do a career change assessment. As yourself the right questions. If you need help with this please reach out to me, I can send you my personal Career Change Assessment questions.

Plan – Once you’ve answered some key questions your next step should be to use those answers to determine what you need to add to your toolkit. Decide what you’ll need to do to improve your chances at landing that exciting new career. Make a list of the steps you need to take, create a plan of action.

Take Action – Whatever you learn, regardless of the choices you make, always act. Work your plan. The act of doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. If you need inspiration or ideas on where to start, I can help with that too.

First, I must say that this isn’t about money. While it’s ok to make compensation a priority, aligning with your personal values is far more crucial when considering a new career. Reflect on what’s important to you and what you want your work to reflect. Identify three to five non-negotiable values that your work must support. If your current role doesn’t align with these values, consider other ways to achieve fulfillment, whether through volunteer work or side projects. Begin exploring opportunities that interest you in terms of personal growth and alignment with your values. Consider how a new career role might better support you compared to your current position, and what benefits you expect to gain from it.

The grass isn’t always greener where the most money is. Reflect deeply on your current situation before deciding to shift gears in your career. Once you’ve asked yourself these questions and arrived at answers, if a new career seems like the right path, embrace the change. Don’t shy away from trying something new and acquiring additional skills, as this can make you more qualified and marketable. However, if you decide it’s not the right time – honour that feeling. Trust yourself because the timing might not yet align with your life’s circumstances.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” — Steve Jobs

I want you to explore your options – even the ones you don’t think are realistic right now. Limiting beliefs have no place here so kick them to the curb. For example, some people have a belief that working in the not-for-profit industry won’t make you rich. Is this true? Of course not. Plenty of people earn a great salary standing up for causes they believe in.

I believe that many of us will explore multiple careers before retirement. People aren’t sticking with the same career for decades anymore. Embracing change and reflecting on where we want to go is the way to navigate any new career change on the horizon. Embrace the process and enjoy it. Theodore Roosevelt once said that the worst thing you can do is nothing – my best advice to you is that even the smallest action you take towards the fulfillment of your life’s greatest purpose – is worth it. You really can’t put a price on that.

Finding your next career should be fun, it shouldn’t feel like work. Working with a coach will help you to expedite the process and keep focus. I can help you with all of the six points that I’ve made above – and more.

If you’re feeling stuck, a new career path might take some effort to define. A career coach excels at helping with this definition and the soul-searching that it takes to really develop a plan that will make you happiest on the job. You can read self-help books (I have one on job loss if you’ve found this article and are currently searching for a job to replace lost income) and try to study yourself alone – but there may be things you don’t see that I can help you spot.