Are your finances stopping you from transforming your career?

One of the challenges I’ve noticed for some career changers has to do with money. To be perfectly honest, I know what it can be like. You want to transform your life and career but come face to face with money worries. You worry if you take steps towards transforming your career you will ruin your financial stability. The outcome? You remain in a job you deplore, stuck in your current situation. What have you been saying to yourself that you cannot afford? If you say to yourself that you cannot afford to buy a book, join a career change forum, attend a seminar or hire a coach, it stops you from tapping into resources or getting the support you need to change. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Are your finances really the issue? Take time to reflect on this.

At times when people dig a bit deeper, they find that this fear is one covering up other fears about making that leap into their dream job! Another question to reflect on is, if you had a financial cushion would you change your career? How would you go about running your business if you could find the capital you need? Write a plan, make it big, because when you write you goals down they are far more likely to come true! My friend Sarah Lynn generously, shared with me a tool that enables you to see the future consequences of decisions that you make over a 10 day, 10 month and 10 year period.

I’ve adapted it for you so that you can use it for career change. See the assignment below.

Career Change Formula Assignment

1.Take a piece of paper and divide it into two.

2.On the left hand side, I want you to think through and imagine what your life will be like in 10 days, time if you do make steps to change your career. Write it down

3.Then I want you to imagine what your life would be like 10 months from now if you do not make changes to your career. What would you be feeling, what would you be telling people. What kinds of things would you be hearing?  Write it down. Then also repeat the process for 10 years time.

4.On the right hand side, I want you to think and imagine what your life would be like if you took the decision today to commit to changing your career. What would you life be like 10 days from now? Then imagine what your life would be like in 10 months and 10 years. What would you be feeling, what would you be telling people. What kinds of things would you be hearing? Write it down.

5.What’s the picture that you see? Which side of the chart most appeals to you? If it is the right side, what steps big or small are you taking to make things happen for yourself. Are your finances stopping you from transforming your career?

I hope this exercise gave you a little insight into yourself. You should always take time to redevelop and reflect on your goals and let them evolve with you. When you are ready to take that big career change step, why not have someone there to coach you through? You are worth it! You can afford that book, you can give up the time for a forum, you know why? Because you are investing in yourself! Put yourself where you need to be with the right guidance! Good luck!