Isn’t it funny how your idea of a dream job, maybe even the one you imagined you’d always have when you were little, can change over time? Maybe you started off chasing a good salary, a title that sounded impressive, or just a bit of stability, but then, somewhere along the way, you realised there’s more to life than climbing one career ladder, and it could be that there was something better out there for you. And if that’s the case, don’t worry – you’re not the only one. The fact is that these days, more people are stepping off that path to find something that gives them a little more space, and we don’t mean just financially, but mentally, emotionally, and practically too. So with that in mind, keep reading to find out more about career shifts that lead to more freedom and flexibility.
Why More People Are Making The Change
In recent years, something’s changed… The pandemic definitely played a part in showing people how different their routines could be, and how freeing it is to have a lot more control over your time, and for many, the idea of going back to working long hours at a desk job just didn’t bring as much joy as it once did, so they decided to make some changes. Of course, there are other reasons why people might want to try a career shift, but 2020 and its aftermath definitely sped up the process for a lot of people.
Some people like the idea of switching careers entirely, and others are building up passion projects into something bigger that they can do full-time, for example. And there are also those who are just changing things and have decided they want to work remotely, set better boundaries, or they want some kind of role that gives them some time back – and why not? Life only happens once, and is there any point in working hard when you don’t actually have to?
Starting Something On Your Own
There’s actually been a big rise in people working for themselves, and that does make a lot of sense – when you’re the one calling the shots, you get to decide what your days look like, and how you work, so it can be great. Of course, that does come with a lot of behind-the-scenes work like setting up systems, managing clients, and handling all the admin, but for lots of people, it’s absolutely worth it.
One of the practical first steps when you’re heading out on your own is working out how to register a company, and it’s crucial that you do it – and do it right. And while it does sound very formal (and is formal), it’s a great way to really set in stone what you’re doing, and show the world that you’re serious. Plus it means you can open a business bank account, do your taxes, and much more.
Not All Career Changes Are Huge
It’s easy to think that a career change means quitting your job and starting from scratch, and that might be the case, but it actually doesn’t have to be that dramatic, and it depends on your future goals and what it is you want to do. A change could just be moving into a role that gives you the flexibility you want, or it could be switching to a company that fits your values a lot better. Or maybe you want to take on some freelance work on the side until you’re ready to go solo full-time.
And when it comes to how to do it, again, it’s going to depend on what you want to move to – some people decide to re-skill and they’ll then step into completely new fields, and others will stay in their industry, but they’ll change how they work. In the end, the important thing is working out what really matters to you and then creating a career that works around that, rather than the other way around.
Let Yourself Change
This part is really important because changing direction can feel pretty scary, especially if you’ve spent years working towards a specific goal or climbing the career ladder in your specific industry, but the fact is that life changes and priorities change, and that might mean your career changes too.
The problem is, it can feel hard, or even impossible to change, and when you add up all the hard work, the worry about disappointing people, and the fear of just not knowing if it’s all going to work out, it can be tempting just to stay where you are. But that means you won’t be totally happy, so you need to let yourself change – who knows what it will take you?
