Which of these problems resonate for you?  Do you have any of these symptoms?
Are you still making these mistakes with your career change?

Problem:
I’ve been retrenched, my job has been outsourced and I don’t have a job.
Symptom:
Emotionally I fear the next step and I’m not sure I’m good enough.
Mistake:
I did not retrain or retool in time for the change .
Now I don’t know where to start and I’m feeling insecure.


Problem:
I’m dissatisfied and unfulfilled in my current role and I feel like I’m stagnating.
Symptom:
I’m not performing and I’m inconsistent at work. I hate Monday mornings.
I’m grumpy and my boss has noticed. I’ve no drive or motivation.
Mistake:
I’m staying stuck and not being proactive.


Problem:
I’ve been overlooked for promotions for last 12 months and I’m not getting interviews for the external roles I’m applying for.
Symptom:
I’m loosing confidence and my self-esteem is at an all time low. I’m also getting pretty pissed off with the world.
Mistake:
I’m loosing direction, applying for jobs that just use the same set of skills and not branching out into new roles.

Problem:
I want a career change but I don’t know how or where to start.
Symptom:
I swing from not moving to going for any job in the same industry just to feel like I’m doing something.
Mistake:
I’m jumping around for fear of not doing anything and I feel like life is passing me by. I’m still doing jobs I’m not fulfilled in.

Problem:
I think there must be a perfect job for me out there if only I could find it.
Symptom:
I’m waiting for my career epiphany and the sign to move to the next career, but I’ve been waiting a long time.
Mistake:
You think there’s one prefect role and your paralyzed because you can’t find it.
You think this one perfect role will solve all your problems.

Problem:
I’ve invested time and money into this career – I’ve got to the point where I don’t care that I’m not happy.
Symptom:
Ouch- you want to move but to feel trapped. You are focused on the sunk cost of your past investment.
Mistake:
You think that your investment will be wasted if you move into a new career and you can’t take your strengths and talents with you.

Problem:
I spoke to the wrong people about my career change.
Symptom:
My family does not want me to change jobs, they say it’s too risky. I don't know how to network in a new industry.
Mistake:
You thought the people close to you would embrace the change, but they are scared also.


If any of these resonate, then consider investing a small amount of time and money in the next Career Redesign Workshop. Make contact now to book a place as seats are limited to 16 only.

A heart felt story of the challenge of transition and how planning and clarity can get you through the feelings of feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, and ready to give up.

http://www.thechangeblog.com/wanting-change/

When we consider a career change we need to get a sense of where we are at. The following are simple categories that we can often fall into and are useful to help us get started.

Which group do you think you are in?

-       I don’t know what I want to do, but I know its not what I’m doing now

-       I sort of know what I want to do and need help getting there

-       I know what I want to do but I have been pigeon holed by my past experience

-       I know what I want to do

The categories can be further defined as follows:

I don’t know what I want to do but I know it’s not what I’m doing now

> You need to define It or you need to work out WHAT
> You need to work out what’s possible

The next 3 while different all have a similarity to them as there common theme is that they all need support on HOW to make the career change.

I sort of know what I want to do and need help getting there

>You need to get clarity, direction and to work out HOW

I know what I want to do but others have pigeon holed me and don’t see my potential

>You need to rebrand so that potential employers can see what /how you are capable of

I know what I want to do

>You need to own it and to work through why you are stuck and not transitioning to a new role or career
> You need to get going and revitalize your career.

The self-reflective activities in the Career Redesign Program will help sort out what group you really fall in to and then work out what you need to focus on. They are like a series of diagnostic tools, or more simply, it’s like undertaking a survey on yourself to help you figure out what to do next.

We can all associate with the frustration of where to start and the difficulty in breaking out of a mindset that has been many years in the making. To get yourself out of this bind and get off the merry-go –round of wanting something new but thinking you only know how to do an ‘old’ thing, lets start by collecting some DATA.


D –DESIRES

What do I really want at this point in my life?

The answers to this are your DESIRES

A- ABILITIES

What am I really good at?

The answers to this are your ABILITIES

T- TEMPERAMENT

What kind of person am I? What kind of situations am I most productive and satisfied in?

The answers to this are your TEMPERAMENT

A- ASSETS

What advantages do I have? What aspects of my life history, life situation or my achievements could I turn to an advantage?

The answers to this are your ASSETS

Together you Desires, Abilities, Temperament and Assets give you important Data to help redesign your work life around. You can take as much time as you need through this reflective process with the outcome finding a role that is more psychologically suited to where you are in your midlife, your point of transition and what you really want now out of life.

DATA is adapted from "How to prosper in a Jobshift " by William Bridges

Article and tips from our colleagues at UK Careershifters

Read more: http://www.careershifters.org/expert-advice/how-to-keep-going-when-you-feel-like-giving-up#ixzz2hpjK23n5

A 'Bespoke Career' is about exploring the idea of working for yourself or creating a career rather than looking for prepackaged jobs.

There’s a growing trend to create startups that have these characteristics:

·      Easy to start and easy to run, with no need for huge finance

·      You can start this new job while you are still working in you old role

·      Its flexible and simple, try things out and see what work’s

·      You don’t employ others or rent an office so the risk is reduced

·      Build them and craft your career with a clear idea of your lifestyle design in mind

·      Make use of the low cost of start up technology.


How do you create this?

·      Explore self reflective activities and seek to clarity your skills/strengths, values and passions, the environment you want to work in, the salary you want to make,

·      Consider what do you want your day to look like- think about the lifestyle you want to design for yourself,

·      Examine your fears and honesty assess them.

Look externally

·      Who is out there that can be your cheerleader and support you

·      Get the networks going, join the groups and communities that can help you and that you can contribute to.

Most of all- DO SOMETHING- ACT – then REFLECT and reassess where you are at with evidence.

Don’t get paralyzed by over thinking this process. You bespoke career may not come together overnight. It’s not an epiphany, more like a slow burn.

Go to Career Redesign website resource section and look for references that could inspire you.

An interesting article on what holds women back in their careers.
It references a number of issues around recognising our strengths and applying for roles that extend us.
It points to how we reflect more on our  weaknesses than our strengths.

Starting a business has many challenges and opportunities. After 18 months, read what this enterprising business /blog owner learned. 

From blog "Leave Work Behind" @ www.leavingworkbehind.com/

1.  Time is Your Most Important Asset
2. Diversification is Not the Best Course of Action
3. Quality of Life Is More Important Than Money
4. Motivation Shouldn’t Be Forced
5. Thinking Big Creates Big Results
6. Integrity Is More Important Than Profit

http://www.thechangeblog.com/first-18-month-in-business/

Consider this advice next time you present, pitch or discuss ideas in your working environment.

1. When talking to your team consider where they are at and their reference point. If they're not privy to your framework, your project, your priorities, your reference point or your managerial requirements they will need a context created for them.

2.Reiterate the basics – goals, key tasks, mutual expectations. Everyone involved in a team, or in a project, needs to have a strong understanding of the basics.

3.Always communicate in both directions- Take time to listen to concerns, feedback, ideas and challenges from people around.

4.How well are we being received? Note bad habits like interrupting others, ignoring someone else's demands and placing our work as a priority without notice, thinking of our next comment rather than listening to what someone else is saying, etc. These are all things that can be unlearnt with practice.

5. Use feedback to improve – be open to change

http://www.womensagenda.com.au/career-agenda/starters/five-steps-to-develop-super-communication-skills/201310022987?utm_source=Women%27s+Agenda+List&utm_campaign=288f760b15-Women_s_Agenda_daily_02_10_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f3750bae8d-288f760b15-30614969

How many of these can you tick off?
Rise and shine! Morning time just became your new best friend. Love it or hate it, utilizing the morning hours before work may be the key to a successful, and healthy, lifestyle.

1. Exercise... yes it was bound to be there!
2. Map Out Your Day. Maximize your potential by mapping out your schedule for the day, as well as your goals and to dos.
3. Eat a Healthy Breakfast.... oatmeal of course.
4. Visualization. The morning is the perfect time to spend some quiet time inside your mind meditating or visualizing.
5. Make Your Day Top Heavy...do that least desirable task on your list first.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2013/10/02/5-things-super-successful-people-do-before-8-am/

An interesting study about why people stay in unsatisfying jobs.

"Fascinating new research sheds light on why so many people stick with dull jobs over trying something more exciting: They don’t expect to get paid enough to justify going after the more interesting options."

In essence it concluded that if extra effort is required and nor renumerated or rewarded, those studied would opt for boring jobs.

“I can see lots of good reasons why your gut would tell you not to work unless you get paid more than you’d get for doing nothing, but the lesson I take from these studies is that that reaction risks leaving you bored and unhappy.” quote by researcher.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/elainepofeldt/2013/09/30/why-people-choose-boring-careers/#!