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What Motivates Your Desire for A Career Change?

Pivot & Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#CareerChange,#NewBeginnings,#CareerPivot,#CareerGrowth

What motivates you to want to change careers? Let's talk about career change for women. Is it a better work-life balance, more fulfilling work, higher income or career growth opportunity. Well, whatever it is the decision to move takes more grit and determination when we become more settled in our current positions. When I decided to walk away from a high paying career into my own, there were lots of tears and fears. Even though I was absolutely sure this was the right move, the fear of the unknown still has its place in the process. Family, friends, co-workers encourage me, however, in my heart of hearts it was swim or sink. At this stage of the game, I am still paddling but in the right direction. Think about it, even if you take a step backward you are still facing forward.

So, I want to share some strategies that may help you as you decide to take a deep dive into changing careers. If you are looking for a better work-life balance, explore remote or flexible work options to balance personal and financial responsibilities. Searching for more fulfilling work? Identify industries or roles that align with your values and passions. Current career not paying enough? Research high-paying careers with transferable skills or upskilling opportunities. and if you are simply looking for career growth opportunities, seek mentorship or additional training to qualify for promotions or transitions.

For more strategies check out my Pivot & Prosper podcast Strategies for a Meaningful Work-Life Balance. HERE!

Developing Work Relationships Midlife When Changing Careers

Pivot & Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#womenempowerment, #workrelationships, #changingcareers, #WomenInTransition

In building professional relationships during a midlife career change it is important to understand the difference between the stages with our personal and professional relationships. Generally, there is always going to be stages and boundaries in relationships, but in today's workplace in can be very touchy. People we thought we trusted may end up betraying us or other situations and circumstances in the workplace that make it virtually impossible to survive in a good working environment. Keep in mind when you are new to the work environment most relationships have already been established and some for many years.

What are some stages and strategies for developing good work relationships. Always begin by becoming acquainted with others, keeping conversations in the "getting to know you" stage. Keep questions very general and never jump into personal questions that cause the person to feel uncomfortable. Allow your relationships to grow organically as you learn more about the company and its culture. Relationships should always go both ways. If you are always the one... that is a problem.

Next, move into a more casual relationship or "getting to know you better" stage when you can invest in like activities outside the workplace. Finally, Close relationship within the workplace demand a deeper degree of loyalty. The person who is willing to motivate, encourage, warn, listen, and share with you on a more insightful level.

Note the pitfalls in building work relationship during a career change can be feeling insecure, overcompensating which can lead to burnout, and/or lack of networking causing you to miss out on valuable opportunities or support from a professional network. Never be a lone ranger.

Here are a few key strategies for building new workplace relationships:

Be proactive: Take the initiative to introduce yourself to colleagues, attend networking events, and seek out mentorship opportunities. Don't wait for others to approach you.
Show genuine interest: Take the time to get to know your coworkers, ask questions about their work, and actively listen to their responses. This demonstrates that you value their expertise and builds rapport.
Offer support: Be willing to assist your colleagues whenever possible. Offer your skills, knowledge, or even just a helping hand. This fosters a collaborative environment and establishes goodwill.
Seek mentorship: Find someone within your new field who can guide you through the transition. A mentor can provide valuable advice, share their experiences, and connect you with other professionals. Where can you find a mentor? Most likely at a meetup group in your community. You have to do your research and attend what is comfortable for you.

For more Pivot and Prosper strategies listen to my podcast "Developing New Workplace Relationships When Changing Careers" HERE.

Do You Know What Career You Want to Pursue Next?

Pivot & Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#CareerChangeforWomen, #WomenCareerPivot, #CareerSupport, #LifeAfter35

There are usually three general answers to the question, "Do you know what career you want to pursue next? I would say number one "Yes, I have a clear idea," number two, "I have a few options but need clarity," and number three, "I have no idea yet." The urge you have to change careers is more than just a notion and is more than just individuals getting on your nerves. It is most likely that inner peace has left the building, the job is more of a job than a joy. It's simply time to advance to you next season in life. There is no clear, hard, fast rule that says you must stay at one job or work for a company your entire life. There is so much more, however, some people do and that is absolutely ok, but when you lose that inner peace, wow it's time for a change.

Here are a few strategies and career success tips to answer the three questions I posed earlier. Number one, "Yes, I have a clear idea." then your strategy would be to create a detailed plan for transitioning, including networking and skill-building. Number two, " I have a few options but need clarity." Your strategy would be to use personality or skill assessments to evaluate which path aligns best with your values and start from that point. Finally, answer number three, "I have no idea yet." A good strategy would be to consider career coaching or informational interviews to explore possibilities. You can also check out my Pivot and Prosper podcast titled "Being the Right Fit" here.

As we continue to move along in our personal journeys, we must realize that there is nothing etched in stone when it comes to our careers, only the things we love to do matter and connecting with our family and communities. It is important do not fall into the trap of feeling "useless" or "too old" to make that change. You can do it with a few strategies and support from your sisters in the business world. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions, there is someone out there willing to help.

How Much Time Can You Dedicate to Upskilling or Reskilling?

Pivot & Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#SecondCareerJourney, #ReinventYourCareer, #CareerClarity #CareerGrowthStrategies

The time it takes to upskill or reskill can be daunting. How much time really are you able to dedicate to this task, 10+ hours a week, 5-10 hours a week, or less than 5 hours a week? This are very important questions to answer during your career change journey. It not only affects you but your family, friends, and many relationship commitments. Somethings we may need to put on hold in order to build our skills to the level we need for that next step. Having said that, it should not be something that causes us stress or overwhelms us in the process. The commitment is real, and you must ask yourself can I really dedicate my time and energy to this course or webinar and the assignments that come along with it.

Here are a few career success tips and strategies that can assist you with creating a road map to upskilling or reskilling. If you are able to spend at least 10 or more hours a week the strategy would be to enroll in a comprehensive program or certification to meet the requirements of your new career. With limited time maybe 5-10 hours a week a good strategy would be to take short online courses or attend weekend workshops; this allows for networking opportunities as well. The third strategy if you have less than 5 hours a week would be to focus on microlearning, like podcasts, short articles, or app-based learning.

There is so much available to us as we change careers and it really is all about you and what you want to do in this season of your life. Even if you do not have the full support of your friends or family it may be worth the challenge to step into your dream. Our dreams are important and they are God given at birth. Check out this podcast Dreams Dead or Alive, here, for a word of encouragement to get you motivated, there is no time to waste.

A CAREER CHANGE DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN LEAVING YOUR CURRENT POSITION

Pivot and Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#SecondAct, #CareerPivot, #BossLady, #YouCanDoIt, #CareerChange

When seeking to advance in your career in the current workplace culture here are some insightful strategies to help reinvent your career and follow your dreams. Not everyone needs to jump ship, or leave their current company when pivoting towards that dream job. You may already be in the place where there is opportunity and lots of it so no need to reinvent your personal wheel, simply to enhance what you are doing to move forward.

Let's say there is a posting at your current company that you have had your eye on. Consider these strategies to up your current game during the application and interview process.

Leverage your experience. Highlight any and all achievements you have made. Use your resume and/or LinkedIn profile to showcase the results you've achieved over the years.
Seek leadership roles such as volunteering for projects that allow you to take on challenging assignments that demonstrate your ability to lead.
Communicate your ambitions to your manager or mentor. Your current leadership should know that you are interested in advancement opportunities and approach it with the goal of seeking advice and support.

These are simply a few strategies but by no means an exhaustive one. Listen to your heart, especially when it comes to seeking additional advice on the job. Not everyone will be for you, so choose who you discuss your goals with wisely. For additional strategies my podcast Working for Advancement at Your Current Workplace shares 10 strategies that I believe will help you reach your desired result. Listen Here.

How Financially Prepared Are You For A Potential Career Transition?

Pivot and Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#PivotandProsper, #MoneyManagement, #WomeninTransition, #FinancialFreedom

There are one simple question you may ask yourself as you think about changing careers. How prepared am I financially for this career change? I asked that question of myself and believed I was prepared, then reality set in once I left my position to strike out on my own. I felt I had everything covered and enough to survive for a year to get things off the ground, but when it didn't happened as I desired, the setback was eye opening. This may have been some of you but we don't have to allow things to end there. We must pivot in order to prosper, which means we need to pray about an alternative plan.

There are many reasons why our financial goals are not in place but that should never stop you from going for your dreams, EVER! It is better to go for it then live with regrets or become bitter because you didn't follow through or allowed other circumstances to distract the plan. It is difficult to stay on track when finances are not where they need to be, but there is always a way out.

The three questions I pose today on how financially prepared are you for potential career transition is 1) Very prepared- I have a savings and a plan, 2) Somewhat prepared - I'm budgeting for it; and 3) I am not prepared at all.

Strategies to answer these three questions are: Very prepared- I have a saving plan; you can move forward confidently while monitoring your expenses. Somewhat prepared- I'm budgeting for it; a great strategy would be to build a financial cushion by saving consistently before transitioning, and finally I am not prepared at all; your strategy would be to start with a part-time learning or freelancing while maintaining your current job.

All three of these are positive actionable steps and will get you moving. Stay out of the negative lane even when the times are tough. Fight the urge to quit when things don't go you way, there is always a reason. Think back on the times you really though you wanted something and in hindsight it turned out to be a blessing not to have it. I do all the time because it keeps me from being discouraged or disappointed over results I may be in the midst of at the moment.

My final strategy for you when things get wonky I recommend my podcast Tips for Avoiding the Career Change Anxiety Trap, listen here. I hope that will be an encouragement for you as well.

How Comfortable Are You With Taking Risks?

Pivot and Prosper Strategies and Support for Women Changing Careers

#RiskTaking, #ProfessionalWomenNetwork, #SecondCareer, #CareerGrowth

When it comes to taking risk it means different things to different people. For some it may be skydiving, for others it may mean changing careers, or driving over a bridge. Regardless of what it means to you, it has to be addressed as part of the journey. Some people are comfortable staying where they are, but for me it was always something that needed to be changed, adjusted, created, made better, etc. I was always told by my managers and bosses that I was one that never followed the status quo. I thought that was a bad thing until I understood it was part of my gifting that would help others discover their potential, passion, and purpose and move it from paper to productivity.

I wrote a book and workbook, Pinpoint Potential, Passion and Purpose, to support my training and workshops and to this day I follow the pattern created to help others. For you it is going to be different. I always encourage anyone I speak with to follow their passion and how to incorporate it into what they are doing or the desires of their heart.

Some possible responses to the question about risk taking can be, 1)I am very comfortable - I thrive on challenges; 2) Somewhat comfortable - I can handle moderate risks, or 3) I am not comfortable at all - I prefer stability. Regardless of your response the strategies can be implemented to support your answer. If you are very comfortable and thrive on challenges a great strategy for you would be to embrace bold changes like entrepreneurship or entering a new industry. When you feel that you are somewhat comfortable and can handle moderate risks, a good strategy would be to transition gradually, like freelancing or side hustles and gage your level of comfort from there, and 3) If not comfortable at all and prefer stability a great strategy would be to seek a career that shifts within your current company or industry.

Either strategy will move you towards securing your dream. It takes work and perseverance. That sound corny but it's true. We have to commit to that dream or goal or it ends up being just a wish. At some point the risk will come into play, but when you think about risk we all have some form of it in our lives everyday whether we recognize it or not.

Its up to us! No one can take your dream, you can only give it away or allow it to drift in to the abyss of time. We have to know ourselves and not allow others to talk us out of what we know we can do. My podcast The Balancing Act - Living with the Inside of You, listen here will encourage you with a few insights into the struggle you may be having. Be encourage we all take risk in some form or another. You got this!

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