Career Planning

"Fail to plan and plan to fail"

It's an old expression, sure, but without a solid game plan, how will you know which roads to take on your quest for the career you've always wanted?

Unfortunately, many people start out on their journey toward the career of their dreams without a "road map" on how to get there. Without a good plan--a blueprint for success--it can be very difficult to stay on track, and many people find themselves right back where they started--working in a job or career that leaves them miserable and depressed.

With a good plan, you know where to begin, and what steps to take in order to achieve your goal. Just as a carpenter or home builder would never start a project without a set of plans, you too should have a step-by-step outline of how you intend to make the transition to your ideal career.

First you'll need to take a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses when planning a new career. If you're 55, for example, it's probably not realistic to think you'll have a future as a professional athlete. And if you're terrified of speaking in public, a career as a politician could be a real challenge (although no insurmountable). Look for something that matches your core beliefs, your values, and your future aspirations.

There are many other things to consider when planning for a new career. For example, how will you learn the skills necessary to succeed at your new occupation? Will you need formal training? And if so, where will you get it? How will you finance your training or education? How much can you expect to make in this new career? And will you have to relocate to a new city in order to find work in your chosen industry?

You'll also want to come up with a detailed marketing plan for yourself, one that spells out how you'll network and make contacts in the industry you'll be working in, how you'll find job opportunities, and how you can position yourself for the best chance for success.

And don't forget the personal and social aspects of your career change. How will your plan fit into your family and social life? Will you have enough time to spend with your family? Will you be able to find a good balance between work and play? No plan would be complete without taking into consideration the people around you.

If you find all of this planning to be too much to contemplate, consider consulting a career coach or counselor to help you come up with a good strategy. There are certified coaches all over the world, and they can help you narrow your focus and decide on exactly what career path is right for you.

In summary, don't leave your current job--no matter how much you want to--until you have a solid plan in place. And make sure you have enough money saved. After all, once you take the leap, the last thing you'll want is to have to take on another lousy job just to pay the bills while you're transitioning into your new career.
 

People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.