7 Steps to a Smart Career Change

by Michelle Casto

The process of deciding upon a career path can be intimidating.However, with the right information and emotional support, you will find it amazingly easy and even fun.

In order to make a wise decision, it is helpful to go through the following process with "active reflection," meaning you cognitively think about all of the relevant information at hand, while remaining agile and flexible as new information comes to your awareness.

Since you will be changing careers several times in a lifetime, you will do well to get familiar with your unique decision-making process.

Obviously, the concept of climbing the career ladder is antiquated. Rather than "moving up" in one organization, you will find yourself moving up, down, and even off the ladder. It could, in fact, seem more like a maze, with many twists and turns, stops and starts.

My own concept of career is like a wardrobe, where you "try on" different outfits throughout your lifetime, and continue to check the mirror to see if it still fits and matches your current style and taste. In the modern world of work, you will need to find work that is "suited" to you. Think of your life's work as your wardrobe. It is ever-changing as you move through life, changing as your styles and interests change. Throughout the process, you will be tailoring yourself to fit different roles, and to meet changing work styles and expectations.

Here is my 7 Steps to a Smart CareerDecision Making Process

Step 1: Self Understanding
This step involves a thorough self investigation of one's beliefs, interests, values, feelings, abilities, needs, ambitions, and ideal lifestyle.How? Through personality assessments (formal and informal), self-reflection, and coaching.

Key Questions: What are my knowledge, skills, and abilities?What do I value most in myself and my work environment?What is my personality?

Step 2: World of Work Research
This step involves an extensive investigation and research of the world of work.How? By reading about it, talking about it, & researching it.

Key Questions: What new career fields are available to me right now?Where is there a need in the world that I can fill?

Step 3: Compare & Contrast
This step involves the synthesizing of all accumulated information regarding one's self and the world of work to see if there is a potential fit.How? By reflecting and discussing with a professional what you discovered and how it relates to you and your future career.

Key Questions: Will I enjoy it?Does this allow me to express my inner self?

Step 4: Declare and Commit
This step involves the process of "trying on" different options through short-term and real life work experiences.How? By contacting people in your network to gain experience and offer your time, talent, and energy.

Key Questions: How can I gain practical experience---informational interview, shadowing, or internship experience?What does it feel like when I wear this "career outfit?"

Step 5: Prepare
This step involves preparing for a career field by gaining the necessary education and qualifications.How? By pursuing formal or informal education/training and by applying transferable skills.

Key Questions: How can I gain additional knowledge and experience?How do I balance my personal life with "learning a new profession?"

Step 6: Commit
This step involves making an educated decision and committing to a career path.How? By setting smart short-term, mid-term, and long term goals.

Key Questions: What self-marketing tool(s) do I need to update or create?What do I need to write down in detail so I have an action plan?

Step 7: Evaluate
This step involves evaluating your decision-making abilities at every step (1-6) so you easily make adjustments as needed.
How? By "getting smart"---raising your self-awareness, following your intuition, and practicing active reflection so you make decisions consciously.

Key Questions:Do I have enough of the right information to move forward?Where can I go for additional clarification and insight as I go through this process?

Get Smart!

***If you get lost or do not have enough good information about yourself, potential careers, etc, then always go back to Step 1 of Self-Understanding. You can then add to what you already know to be true about yourself and begin the decision-making process again.
Taking the time now to make smart life and career decisions in your future is smart.To accelerate your process, hire a guide who has the map to the treasure. And you will soon find yourself smiling at the reflection in the mirror, because it is YOU all decked out in your "perfect outfit" that makes you look and feel like a million bucks!

About Michelle Casto
Dr. Michelle is a highly sought after speaker and media expert.She speaks to people around the world on subjects ranging from interpersonal relationships, career advancement, life purpose, stress management, success strategies, practical spirituality, and creative life design.
She is the author of the renown Get Smart! book series, dozen of ebooks on life empowerment, and hundreds of articles have been broadly published throughout the internet. She has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Caller Times, and numerous television and radio shows.
She makes time in her busy schedule to work with a small and exclusive coaching clientele, where she teaches an innovative and experiential adult education curriculum designed to help them achieve "everyday enlightenment" and empowers them to become a bright light in the world.
Dr. Michelle has a passion for self-improvement, although she is a firm believer that we must cross the bridge between knowing and doing! That is why her writing, teaching, and coaching style is experiential in nature. She is committed to doing her homework and learning all she can about human potential so she can expand her consciousness and light the path for those she walks with on her journey.
http://www.brightlightcoach.comhttp://www.getsmartseries.comhttp://www.smartlifechanges.com

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