Kimiko Ebata is a career coach and a transition expert who, through her company, Ki Coaching LLC, empowers others to elevate through change.
Whenever John Glenn encountered a crossroads in his life, such as deciding whether to rejoin NASA or pursue a political career, he asked himself one question: “What is the best use of me?” To figure out his next steps, Glenn used this reflection to identify the optimal way to apply his skills and maximize his impact.
Moreover, he believed that each one of us is “placed here with certain talents and capabilities” and that it is up to each of [us] to use those talents as best [we] can.” To him, it was from conscious effort rather than mere chance that the right opportunities would then present themselves. This is an approach we can all learn from.
Whether or not you are pursuing a side hustle or a passion, uncertain about leaving your current job for a new opportunity, or simply seeking a change, know that making this kind of decision is not a clear-cut process. It requires careful planning and intentional reflection. I can say this with some conviction because I’ve had to navigate this decision-making process myself.
Last year, I quit my job to work full-time on my passion project. I loved the work that I did, but the more I thought about my transferable skills, where I was in life and the future that I envisioned for myself, the more it became clear to me that entrepreneurship was the path forward.
Most of all, I considered if I would regret not giving it a shot. I asked myself what I would regret more when I was 80 years old: Trying to build something I believed in and failing, or failing to give it a try?
Use a career change framework.
For anyone looking to change careers, here is a four-step framework that I compiled based on my own lessons learned to help others successfully transition into a new role.
1. Identify why you’re seeking a change and what your motivations are.
If you’ve been thinking for a while about quitting your job, start with some self-reflection. Is it the nature of your work, the type of organization or is there something else that is missing?
I chose to undertake an experiment to assist in my career transition and to uncover my genuine motivations. For nearly two years, I worked on building up my career coaching company on nights and weekends. I discovered my passion lies in guiding mission-driven professionals to pursue rewarding careers, so they can someday reflect on their lives with satisfaction.
Pro tip: Ask yourself the following questions to get a good grip on your “why.”
• Who do I envy and why?
• What am I looking to leave behind at this professional juncture?
• What am I looking to make space for in my career and life?
• What am I craving the most right now? Money, meaning, or individual expression?
• What do I want my life to look like after I make this change?
2. Determine what your current skills are and the skills you’ll need to grow.
Assess where you’re at and where you want to go, then figure out how to bridge the gap. While some know that they want to go back to school or start their own business, many don’t know what their next step should look like.
Try asking yourself these questions to help you bridge that gap:
• What aspects of my current role do I find most draining?
• What aspects of my current role do I find most energizing?
• In an ideal world, what does my life look like?
3. Figure out when would be the best time for you to make a move.
An important part of transitioning careers is in identifying the optimal time for you to make a change. Consider the flow of your current job. Are you nearing the completion of a big project that would be helpful for you to have as an accomplishment on your resume? Is there a time of year that would allow for a smooth transition for both yourself and your organization?
For me, one issue that was a high priority was income predictability. Would I make enough money to sustain my lifestyle once I made this career change? Before quitting my job to start my company, I gave myself the target of earning the equivalent of my prior salary for three months in a row. I built out my confidence over time, gave my goals a real structure, and was able to expand my client base over time.
Pro tip: Talk to others who have made a similar change and have done so successfully. Ask them how they prepared themselves for the change and what they wish they knew before taking the leap.
4. Figure out how to share your new interests and story with those who can help.
One of the easiest ways to know whether a career change is right for you is to speak with someone who is either doing what you’re contemplating or has real expertise in the field about which you have questions. From asking people about their work, you can figure out how they got there—the tools they used to make this change.
Pro tip: Approach this process with commitment, curiosity and conviction. Do not go into the conversation looking for a job, but instead go after the story. Ask them for their advice—what they love and hate about their job, and what they wish they knew before making this pivot.
Now you can make your decision.
The average person will change jobs 10 to 15 times during their working years, according to career change statistics.
In thinking about your own professional transition, consider Mark Twain’s advice: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you did not do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds. Explore. Dream. Discover.” John Glenn might have said, “shoot for the stars.”
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