Hello, all!
This question is of a more personal nature. It comes from JM!Mimi,
Thoughts on making major job changes after 18 years in the same field?
JM,
I’m sure you’re facing a difficult decision, and I can relate. Big time. After 18 years, you’re probably well established and making the kind of money commensurate with your years of experience.
BUT…if you are not happy in your present job, you should follow your bliss and change careers.
I truly believe that life is short and the point of YOUR life is to enjoy it, not to suffer and be miserable. You were put here for a reason, and that reason is doing something you’re (A) good at and (B) really enjoy. Science, religion, and common sense all support this concept.
So whether it’s for scientific reasons (because you know that species cannot survive without diversity) or if you believe in a higher power, you have an obligation to yourself and the world to do something with your life that makes you happy.
But let’s face it, most of us aren’t millionaires, and that means we have adult responsibilities. Bills, bills, bills. Not to mention there are healthcare expenses, our kids’ college costs, and our own retirement funds. Life expenses, too!
I suggest making a simple plan. Nothing complicated. Nothing requiring enormous stress or effort. Look at this new career (hopefully your dream job), and figure out what it’s going to take to get yourself to a point where you’re making the money you need. Not want, but need to get by.
Whatever that timeline looks like, save what you’re going to need to cover things. OR find an alternate stream of income to make ends meet while you’re putting your plan in motion.
It’s hard for me to say much more without knowing exactly what career change you’re looking at, but obviously your financial plan has to cover your current living expenses (through a part-time job, through savings, or a combination of both). Your plan has to account for delays and things going wrong. Your plan must account for keeping your credit in good standing so you qualify for business loans/loans. Just in case.
Still, I’m sure you’ve figured out that no amount of planning can account for the unexpected. Risk comes with anything you do, including staying put. But in closing, I’ll reference this article published in Forbes. It’s a survey taken of people on their deathbed, and I hope it will drive home my point:
Top 5 regrets of the dying:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Ref: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2019/12/13/the-top-regrets-of-the-dying-and-what-we-need-to-learn-from-them/?sh=64789e797ce7
I don’t need hard data from Forbes to KNOW these points are true. I feel them, live them in everything I do. But nothing worth having in this world comes free or without risk. And, if for some reason you fail, it’s because the universe (or God, if you’re religious) has a lesson in store for you. Bigger things await if you’re just brave enough to push on.
All my best,
Mimi
WANT ADVICE?
Each week I’ll pick one question, or a few, from readers and aspiring authors about:
– sex, relationships, & family
– the writing process & business (trad. and indie)
– unicorns, Big Foot, the Chupacabra, & traveling mermen
– the Universe and random crap
– all of the things I am not an expert in, but have an opinion on! (That pretty much covers everything above.)
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