|
Career Change |
Your job satisfaction might not wait much longer for a career change
|
|
|
I was convinced that having something to fall back on after the English major stint was over was imperative, so I studied to teach college composition. It was one of the best gigs in the world, save that the politics suck.At the same time, I had groomed myself as a writer since I was old enough to hold a pencil in my teeth and write on the walls of our modest duplex halls.
After ten years of bureaucratic b.s, such as telling staff there was such a budget deficit that they would have to do some massive layoffs then six months later were adding buildings and hiring into high-end administrative positions, I took the offer (a kind of golden handshake for those too young to retire) to give up my job(s) at the college.
I did so not only that older colleagues with homes and mortgages and kids and whatnot needed to keep their positions, but because I never had, after a twelve- to fifteen-hour day, time for my deepest passion, writing.
It took guts, also called intestinal fortitude by my high school English instructor, to make such a dramatic career change. It also is supposed to take capital, of which I had none (and I am NOT exaggerating...had about twelve bucks all tolled). But I had internalized the career change advice of the Oprah guest that many years back (a guest whom I cannot recall a name for, so I apologize).
And I had made the career change as an adjustment, but more, as a reclamation of what my soul pointed toward doing to begin with. I wish the same desire to eclipse should/would/could voices in you and give you the impetus to make that career change for the better!
Granted, there were at first many times that first transition year, especially--whereby I felt anxious, terrified, where I felt guilty, where I got overwhelmed, or where I got depressed. These times get fewer and farther between, and they come with less impact as time passes and I get further from the career change date(s).
These emotions are normal, actually. According to Eileen McDargh, author of HOW to WORK for a LIVING and STILL BE FREE to LIVE (a book I just found a month or so ago, which I hope is still in print for you to find as well), these emotions are natural for individuals making a career change or making the decision to be faithful to our giftedness, our ‘work’.
McDargh also follows up the discussion of the negative manifestations as a result of career change with empowering details on our 1)faith; 2)self-esteem and confidence; and 3) willingness to risk. For that, dear soldier of commerce or creativity, is what career change rests most soundly upon.
Small Business Internet News
[CaRP] Can't open cache file.
[CaRP] Failed to open file: /home/smallbiz/carp_evolution/carp/autocache/f26f7293451c1bdd68235720c7ae6693
[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed.
Recent Articles