You walked across the stage, clenched that degree, and then promptly jump headfirst into your career. Fast forward ten years, and you’re in your 30s, miserable at your desk day in and day out. What do you do? Thirty year-olds aren’t supposed to start over in their careers. By 30, you should be senior-level exec with plenty of subordinate paper-pushers below you. Wrong – very wrong. Many successful individuals, including Walt Disney, Ellen Degeneres, Julia Child, Harrison Ford, and Allen Ginsberg, got the urge to make significant career changes. Are you one of them? If so, buckle up because it’s going to be a rough ride – but in the end, it’ll be worth it, you’ll see. Here’s how to get it done.
Start Saving Your Pennies
You’ve got a job. You’re just not happy doing it. Although it may be tough to get through each day sitting, wishing, and waiting for more, this job is essential for your career change puzzle.
During the time you’re plotting your next move, you are luckily still collecting a paycheck. The best thing you can do is to start saving your money for the future. Changing your career may cause you to bounce around from job to job until you find the right fit, or you may even go through periods of no work until you decide on something great. In any case, creating a new career fund can help get you through the uncertain times ahead.
Change Your Mindset
One of the worst things you’ll hear from others, or even from your pesky pessimism, is that you’re too old to start over. Since when is 30 old? Colleges and GED programs are filled with more senior students going back to chase their dreams’ career. If negative thoughts start to creep into your mind, remember that everyone has to start somewhere – you’re somewhere here and now. There are plenty of people too fearful of making the change, but not you. You’re making it happen. Changing your mindset can change your entire outlook on such a significant life decision. Only you can punch that ticket toward the future.
Seek The Discomfort
A wise gym instructor once preached to her sweaty students to “seek the discomfort.” Purposely be uncomfortable? Yes! Being comfortable may be why you’re stuck in a job that’s not fulfilling, comfort may have you stuck in an environment that doesn’t utilize your talents, and comfort will keep you trapped in the wrong career. Once you step outside of your comfort zone into uncharted territories, your real strengths will shine, and your new life can begin. Explore the world and yourself, seek that discomfort.
Starting a new career in your 30s is most definitely easier said than done. You have two choices, though – you can wallow in your despair and watch the years pass you by in a situation that does nothing for you, or you can take life by the horns and start your way toward a new career. The choice is yours.
