How To Change Careers and Still Pay the Bills--5 Key Steps

Presented by AnneMarie Segaric

Studies show that more than 50% of people are unhappy in their jobs
yet few will actually make a career change in 2006. Why? Most people
let fear stop them yet successful career changers know that fear is
simply a sign that you are headed in the right direction!

Follow the 5 key steps that successful career changers actually take
to overcome their fears and make a sustainable change.

1. Plug the Leaks
While you may be focused on the fact that this is a career
transition, you are made up of more than just your job. Identify and
commit to eliminating those things that are draining you of energy.
Deal with them now in order to have a surplus of energy to make your
career change happen.

2. Know What You Want and Make the Decision to Have It
We spend a great deal of time focusing on what we don't like about
our jobs and often let transitions happen to us. Being passive about
a career transition makes for a painful passage. Stop and identify
what you would like instead. Be proactive and make the decision,
internally, that this is what you want and that you will not let
anything stop you.

3. Believe in What You Want
Belief corresponds to how you feel about what you want. Examine what
you are telling yourself about your desire for a new job. Make a
decision to change your belief so that your career change is not a
matter of "if" or "how" but only "when".

4. Make it a Transition, Not a Leap
Keep your day job and try out your calling on the side. Not being
able to pay the bills is a stress you can choose to not put yourself
through. Go through a process of repeated planning and testing,
planning and testing. See what you learn and decide what your next
steps should be. Remember, it's a transition. Slow and steady will
get you to the finish line. Think marathon, not sprint.

5. Live As If
Your future career is created by being in the present and showing up
each day as if what you want has already come to pass. Ask
yourself, "If I was already working in my dream job, how would I act
today?" Then make the shift and go act as if you've already made it!

Clean Out Your Closet and Find a New Career

Presented by AnneMarie Segaric

Whether you've just made the decision that it's time to switch jobs
or you've been hard at work at your career transition, it always
makes sense to examine your personal foundation and how it is
being deteriorated by energy drains.

Your personal foundation is the base upon which all changes you
make in your life will sit. Energy drains are things in your life
you're putting up with. The more energy drains you have, the
weaker your personal foundation, and the harder it is to make your
career change goals happen.

Start with the "stuff" that is draining your energy. The physical
items we own are meant to either provide function or bring us
pleasure. When your stuff is draining you, it's not doing either!

Call to Action!

Here are four physical energy drains to address and eliminate once
and for all:

1.Clutter
While clutter is physical junk, it also represents emotional
baggage. The more clutter you have, the less room you have for
new opportunities. Look around you. Do you love everything you
see? Just because you once loved that knickknack you bought on your
European vacation or that framed picture you found at a flea market,
doesn't mean you should keep it forever. Take notice of the
everyday items in your home and office. Determine which items are
stale and are keeping you trapped in the past and donate them or
throw them away!

2.Broken items
Look around you. What is in need of repair? Examine everything in your home, office, and car...from your clothing, to your furniture, to your appliances, and personal items. Make a list of everything that is broken and either fix or replace it. Enough is enough already!

3.Clothing
You most likely own a few articles of clothing that you love and
wear over and over. Why? Because these items probably fit you
very well and make you feel great. What about the rest of the
clothing in your drawers and closets? They are simply taking up
space. Decide that you will only own clothing you love. When you
love what you own, you feel good. When you feel good, you do good.
In other words, you take great action. Toss or give away all that
clothing that you never wear. From now on, only buy what you
absolutely feel great wearing.

4.Subscriptions
Raise your hand if you have magazines or newspapers piled up that
you intend to read. Do you dread seeing the next issue of that
weekly publication because you have a month's worth waiting to be
read? Yes, it is cheaper to buy subscriptions but ONLY if you
actually read the issues and enjoy yourself while doing so. But if
they cause you the least amount of stress, cancel them. You can't
afford to waste energy like this!

Isn't it time you cleared out the old "stuff" to make room for your
new life? Don't wait any longer!

Put Your Money Where Your Dream Is

Presented by AnneMarie Segaric
 
You say you want a new career, you say you want to start your own business, you say you'd love to be a freelance writer and travel more but are you serious? Can I really believe you? Are you investing in your dream?

When you want something badly enough, you're willing to work hard, make sacrifices, and invest in your dream.

Most people who've made a career change didn't have lots of money from which to draw. They simply made the choice to find the money they needed to make the change they always dreamed of making!

To see if you are willing to do what it takes to do work you love, follow these steps:

1. Ask yourself the following, "Am I willing to invest what I have in my dream job? Am I willing to change how I currently spend money so that I may have more of it to put toward my transition?" Yes or No? If you answered "no" to these, you’re not ready to move ahead with a career change. Give yourself a break and focus on something else that you feel more ready for at this point. If you answered "yes" to these, read on.

2. Write down all of your expenses. Track every dollar you spend to have a clear picture of where your money is really going each month.

3. Prioritize. Look at each expense and ask yourself, "Would I rather have this or a new career?" See what big and small sacrifices you can make. That salon brand shampoo is nice but would you rather it or a new career? The deluxe cable TV package provides great entertainment but is it worth more to you than a new career? It's ok if you choose the shampoo or cable channels over your dream. Just be honest with yourself. Stop spending money on what you could live without and start putting those funds toward the life you would REALLY like to have!