Change – Making the Shift

Some have had a relatively easy shift. They liked their careers and those careers are still viable. Their shift may be relatively easy, a matter of finding a similar job within their current geographical area.


For some, the shift may be a little more emotional and disrupting. They can find a job, but will have to relocate to take it. That means leaving friends, relatives, schools, places of worship, doctors, dentists and all the people with whom you do business. It could be exciting! It could be a little scary; new place and no one you know. Are you prepared to make those changes? Does this change answer your purpose, your needs, and in this case, if you have family, how does it fit their needs and purpose? Good questions. They need to be addressed, but if all is aligned, then pursue it. Remember you are courageous! You have heart! You are a hero!

Everyone else is making even bigger shifts. How exciting! How adventurous! How courageous! Maybe your first decision is whether or not to stay in Corporate America or do you go out on your own. If you go out on your own, what would you do and how would you do it? If you stay in Corporate America, you still have decisions to make about what you will do and where and how you want to do it. Hmmm….. Where to start.

Decide what you want to do.

Decide what skills you have that will fit your new career. Decide what new skills you need to get to move into your new career. Decide what information you need to make the career change. Daunting? Taken as a whole, yes. So break it down into small pieces. List all the pieces; discrete actions that need to be taken. Decide what you can do now, today. Do it. Decide what will take longer. Create a timeline for starting and completing each activity. Post this plan where you will see it every day. Mark off actions that are completed as they are completed. Add new actions that you may have missed as they come up.

Here is the important part. Identify the major milestones along the way. When you achieve them celebrate! Be judicious. Not everything is a milestone. On the other hand, recognize that there will be important milestones on the way to your goal.

You are now creating your own changes. Because you are changing there will be changes around you. Some old things may fall away. New things will take their place. You are in new territory. The possibilities are endless!

While you are doing all the work for your career transition, network. Keep in touch, especially with people who can help you achieve your goal. Educate yourself. Read. Listen. Analyze. It’s all part of The Shift.