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People spend the majority of their adult life working but not many seem happy with where they are in their career. Financial and family responsibilities get in the way and nowadays people decide to go for a career change later in life, perhaps when their children are a bit older, or simply because they have a better understanding of what they want to do. It’s more and more common to change your working field at least once in your life and age isn’t always an issue. People take on further education mid-life and continue to have better prospects in different areas. If you are considering a career change there are certain things you need to think about in order to feel comfortable going through with it. It can seem like a huge risk and it’s hard to face it head on. Here are some strategies to help you process the idea of a career change and finally have the courage to go for it.

Analyse your current job

Before you automatically give up on your current field take a moment to reflect. What areas of your current job do you like the best? What do you like about the working environment, the conditions, the hours and the dynamics? If you currently work in a team of people, would you like to continue to do so? Write a list of the daily tasks you complete and categorize them. Do you enjoy working with a computer, or being outdoors? What are the aspects of your job that you like? What skills have you learnt and how will these be transferable to your new career of choice?

Know your end game

You may not be in love with your current career choice and are seeking change but do you know what you want that change to be and what you are looking to get out of the career move. It’s not always as simple as ‘I would like to be a teacher’. Are you looking for more flexibility, for example? If you are then this needs to be the priority behind any move you make and you need to consider whether you are going to get it by switching careers. Or perhaps you want more responsibility? Can your new career path offer you that? Bear in mind these changes might not happen straight away but is there capacity there to ensure you get what you want from the move at some point?
Another reason you need to know your end game is so that you can identify what it takes to get there. Perhaps you dream of having your own personal injury practice, if this is the case to make it a reality you need to identify all the steps you need to take to make it happen. Do you have legal expertise? The capital? Or even the determination and work ethic to establish yourself and run a successful practice? Perhaps you want to be your own boss and run a social media management company, do you possess the technical know-how? The ability to reach out and drum up a new business? And if you don’t are you prepared to do what it takes, motivationally and financially speaking to put yourself in a position to be able to do it?

Research

Do all the research you possibly can in both the field you are interested in and how other people have managed the transition of a career change. This could involve reading self-help books or autobiographies and online advice from professional gurus or even celebrities. You can find examples online of experts and video tutorials. Ask the opinion of those closest to you as they should be able to put your ideas into perspective. Look into what the new job requires and definitely consider further education. Cross reference colleges with the field you are interested in, for example, this article lays out what you can expect and further training you will need in order to progress in the nursing profession.

Face your fear

It’s not easy to take the leap. Don’t always assume you need a total change of pace, as mentioned before it’s advisable to think about the aspects of your current job that you like and can take with you to your new job. Whereas it’s standard to often start at the bottom again unfortunately, try to picture the end result, after the initial transitional period you could be earning much more. Test your adaptability to change by trying to alter other aspects of your routine, you might find you’re better at it than you think!

You’re one person against one or more tiny people all dependent on you. While your significant other earns the family income by heading to work every day, you are feeding, changing, cleaning house (or trying), cooking, playing, shopping, washing dishes, and somehow, finding time to eat for yourself. Yep, you’re a stay-at-home parent, but is it a job?

I’m not claiming to be an expert with only 2 months under the elastic waistband in my shorts, but I feel confident in saying that stay-at-home parenting is NOT a job. Physically and mentally exhausting? You bet your messed up, cow licked hair it is, but it’s still no job.

Now before you go getting red-faced with anger, hear me out. Saying that being a stay-at-home parent is a job, is basically saying you really don’t want to be a parent. Yeah you have your good and bad days just like you would in the office, and your co-worker(s) can be unruly and hard to talk to at times, but you’re watching your offspring learn and grow.

Because of YOU, your children don’t have to be dropped off where they don’t see either parent for hours every day. I have no ill intent to those of you that do this, and I know we are fortunate to be able to make it work. As a stay-at-home parent, you will also be there to see all of the “firsts” and hopefully capture them on video to replay over and over.

Not only that, but you’re saving your family an expensive childcare bill. Even if you could afford it, wouldn’t you rather be the one helping to shape and develop how your little ones learn? I’m pretty sure the caretakers, with multiple kids to watch over, will never be able to give the same attention as you.

Plus, I would expect less trips to the doctor’s office since you are avoiding your kid coming in contact with other sick kids at the care facility. Yes, it will happen eventually, but hopefully not as often.

Going Mom, my dear wife, is the one with a job in our family. Words can’t express how much I appreciate her for all that she does for us. She has to head to work and leave us in the morning for most days of the week and then come home to be a mother. And a fine mother she is! Literally, I think she’s pretty hot! 🙂

Two cuties that are too cute. See what I did there? ; 0

For me, I despised going to work and sitting in an office. I’m a mover, constantly wanting to do something, and plugging away at a keyboard wasn’t doing it. Now, I am definitely moving and always have something to tend to. Both of these are stressing, but work stress actually hurt my health.

As a stay-at-home dad, I have greatly reduced my stress level and the symptoms I had before have gone. Now I am able to prepare meals for Kelley, care for our child, exercise, and at least try to keep the house in somewhat good shape. Before, I tried to juggle all of this on top of work and it drove me insane!

Kelley mentioned how she notices a difference in my attitude now that I’m at home, and I fully agree. With Avery in our lives, and me staying at home with her, we are all happier and healthier as a result.

So, is staying at home to raise your children a job? Nope, that’s would mean you’re an employee of sorts. I am proud to be a stay-at-home dad and love my form of payment in love from my wonder wife and beautiful baby. Plus, her smiles are like daily bonuses!