Changing to Your Dream Job? Be Patient.

Photo by caspermoller

Career change takes a while.

That's my big declaration today. If you can dream it, do it...but please be patient.

I don't mean to be a bummer and rain on your parade. I really want you to go for that career change. I just want you to keep these things in mind (inspired by this piece on CareerJournal.com):

1. Every dream has its gestation period.

Whether your career change dream has more in common with a chipmunk (31 days to get a new one of these) or an elephant (it's 645 days before this one shows up), you will experience a delay between the moment you want a new career and the moment you get one.

2. Build on your existing skills and network of contacts.

No need to throw out the baby with the bath water. Leverage what you've done and who you know.

3. Plan in phases.

Keep your day job for as long as you can while you work on your career change on the side. This might mean volunteering on a nonprofit board, or taking on a couple of photography clients on the weekends, or studying for the GRE.

4. Fully explore what you're getting into.

We all have our ideas of what other people do, but how accurate are they? Is advertising really a glamorous industry? Is writing children's books really all about inspiring kids? Can you make a living wage as a horticulturist?

Talk to people who are doing what you want to do and grill them, ever so nicely. Find out the dark side of what you are dreaming about. Can you handle the dark side? Is it smaller than the sexy aspects?

5. Find ways to keep your dream alive during the gestation period.

You're going to feel impatient, and you're going to feel tempted to quit. Who or what will keep you going? Plan who you'll call when you're feeling discouraged. Create a visual reminder of your dream and put it on your wall (and look at it).

Changing careers is more like a marathon than a sprint, so it's wise to plan accordingly. This means pacing yourself, keeping your energy up, and understanding the peaks and valleys that are a natural part of the journey.

If you have completed a career change, I would love to hear your story in the comments!

Heather Mundell
Dream Big Coaching Services
www.dreambigcoaching.com
heather@dreambigcoaching.com