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<\/p>\nOne of my favorite things to do at the beginning\u00a0of\u00a0a New Year is to sit and reflect on my career. How has the last year been? Am I satisfied with the progress I\u2019ve made? Do I feel like I am in the right position for achieving next steps? Are my passions and creative spirit fulfilled? Once I have the opportunity to truthfully answer these questions, I am able to think clearly about what the next year should bring.<\/p>\n
Most years, I find myself pretty satisfied. I\u2019m content with the progress I\u2019ve made, feeling good about the state of my business and am enjoying the challenges I face, but there have been years when I have known it\u2019s time for more or that it\u2019s time for something new. Knowing it\u2019s time to make a career change is the first part of the process, it\u2019s what you do with that information that will get you from point A to point B. Not sure where you stand with your own career? It\u2019s probably high time for some self-reflection and a game plan. Here\u2019s a look at how to know when to make a career change and how to take those first steps.<\/p>\n
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You\u2019re bored.<\/strong> Boredom isn\u2019t a good thing for anyone. There\u2019s nothing more unfulfilling than feeling like you just stare out the window all day long and accomplish nothing. Challenge is what drives us to keep climbing the ladder and moving along in the working world. Whether it\u2019s figuring out a complicated accounting puzzle or pushing yourself to your creative boundaries, those challenges equal drive. You need them \u2013 and, it\u2019s either high time you move on or you find some new projects at your current position. No matter what, it\u2019s up to you to make that happen.<\/p>\n Your heart just isn\u2019t in it anymore.<\/strong> Remember when you used to really care. And, I mean REALLY care about each and every project you were a part of? When that feeling goes away and you\u2019re simply no longer engaged in the process or the outcome, you\u2019re not playing fair for yourself or the rest of the team and it\u2019s time for something new. Here\u2019s the thing: you don\u2019t have to beat yourself up over this, it happens to everyone. It means you\u2019ve grown out of the position and your skills have exceeded the challenge. It\u2019s a good thing \u2013 it means you\u2019re growing and you\u2019re learning.<\/p>\n You find yourself wishing you had gone down a completely different career path.<\/strong> You know what? People change. It\u2019s part of life and even though it can feel like a real nag, wanting something totally different for yourself is OK. You probably aren\u2019t your 20 year old self anymore \u2013 life has happened. Your likes and passions have changed, you have new hobbies. You have evolved. Perhaps you no longer want a career in the corporate world \u2013 you want to be a personal trainer or a yoga instructor. Or, suddenly you find yourself wanting to go to culinary school \u2013 it happens to so many of us. When you know, you know \u2013 and the bottom line? It\u2019s time for a change.<\/p>\n 2017 is the opportunity for a fresh start<\/strong> and is a great time to think about your true colors. Your true 2017 colors \u2013 who you are TODAY, not yesterday \u2013 and definitely not the you of a decade ago. So let that 2017 you shine through \u2013 don\u2019t be afraid \u2013 instead get after it. Chase that dream. Make that change. We have one life to live and what we do with that life matters \u2013 even when it comes to a career. Will 2017 be your year?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of my favorite things to do at the beginning\u00a0of\u00a0a New Year is to sit and reflect on my career. How has the last year been? Am I satisfied with the progress I\u2019ve made? Do I feel like I am in the right position for achieving next steps? Are my passions and creative spirit fulfilled?…<\/p>\n