Changing your career path in midlife can be the most frightening thing. As we get older we tend to take a stock of our lives and ask ourselves if we are really happy with where we are. The job you are doing now is that what you really want to do in life?
The thought of losing a steady income can stop you in your tracks too. Also the question of how does one move into what they really want to do with a CV that displays work experience that is totally different from their desire.
The thing is however, you will always gravitate towards your passion and you will always excel at what you love. So its worth taking a chance and moving towards a career in that thing that gets your heart beating.
You need to begin by sitting down with a pen and paper and searching your heart. If you could do any job in the world what would it be? What job would make you want to get up in the morning and sing in the shower?
Then you need to ask yourself have I had experience in this before either in a volunteer setting or in previous jobs? If yes, how can you factor that experience into your CV? For many years I would send the same CV for every job but I soon learned that your CV needs to market you for the job you are applying for. I had had experience in customer care, banking, training, human resources, teaching, writing, theatre arts, humanitarian work and the like. My real passion I discovered or rediscovered is writing. I love to write, in fact I have always loved to write from when I was young. I love drama and film. This along with helping children to reach their full potential by encouraging them to read is what I believe I was born to do. And when I am in that environment I am happy.
I am not saying drop everything and follow your passion. Sometimes its a gradual process. I decided to write a book and my book was published. In a few days I will be exhibiting my book. And it's exciting when people who have read the book get back to me and say that they loved it or it really helped them. That brings me joy it also humbles me.
A few years ago the bank I was working at embarked on a programme called Strength Finder. This was a programme that was geared towards finding out what your individual strengths are and focusing on using those strengths in your job. In many companies for years the focus has been on looking at your weaknesses and seeing how your weaknesses can be turned into your strengths. People would go through many training programmes but I learned something very important that year, that in order to really succeed in life you need to look at what you are good at i.e. your strengths. Then you need to focus on how you can enhance your strengths. As you enhance your strengths you will see yourself excel.
So look at where you are right now, is that where you want to be? If yes then great but if no begin to take positive steps towards moving towards your passion.
Have a great day!
