Get Started

Are you currently stuck? Do you want to change career and are not sure which direction to go in? Do you know what you want to do but don’t know how to get started? Have you started the steps to change your career but can’t keep motivated ? Then this page is for you. Find below some inspirational tips which are designed to get you started and keep you motivated so you are constantly moving towards your new career goal.

Take your first tiny step....

My first piece of advice to you is just take one small tiny step to get started. Reaching your current career goal is just a series of small steps, so take the first one. Once you have taken one step you will have your first sense of achievement which will lead to the next step and the next. Even if you loose your motivation just begin again with another tiny step. Your first step can be as little as setting and writing out your career goals (see below for information on writing goals) or updating the first few lines of your CV. Just get started and do something – don’t wait to feel more like it or for something to happen to you. A good book I really recommend is One small step can change your life by Robert Maurer . This book explains how taking small steps can lead to achieving momentous goals. If you’re one of those people who would like to make radical changes in your life but never quite manages it than this book explains how taking small steps can help you sail pass obstacles you’ve never passed before.

Set short and long term goals

Studies have shown that the most successful people in society set goals. Setting a goal is so important. Firstly, having an ultimate career goal means that you have sat down and really considered what you want. Secondly, you are 100 per cent clear in your head what you are aiming for and when you are lacking motivation it gives you focus again. Setting short term goals ensures that you get a sense of acheivement along the way to your long term goals which will help keep you motivated.

There are rules to setting goals, firstly follow the SMART approach to setting goals. The goal must be Specific, you must know in detail exactly what you want and it must be clear to you. Make sure your goals are Measureable. Ensure you know exactly how much you want to achieve and give yourself a set amount of time to achieve it. Ensure you set goals which are Achievable. If your goals are unrealistic you will quickly loose motivation but don't make your goals too easy either. You will thrive on the challenge. Goals must be Relevant to your ultimate career aim and finally they must be Time bound. Ensure you have a deadline for success

Write down your goals. You are much more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. It helps your mind see the goals realistically and you can post them around the house so you don't forget what you are aiming for

Plan

Once you have set your goals you need to write down an action plan as to how you are going to achieve them. An action plan is simply a list of tasks you need to reach your goal in the order that you need to complete them. Having an action plan means that you are aware of exactly what needs to be completed to reach your ultimate goal. It gives you a sense of focus, achievement and progress as you tick each task off on your plan.

Research

Research your chosen career. How have other people succeeded in your chosen field? What resources did they need? What skills did they have? Look at job advertisements in your chosen career, identify the skills you lack. Can you do training courses in your spare time to fill your skills gap? Read current industry publications to educate yourself about your chosen career, Such information could help you refine the skills and training you take. Or it could give you an advantage in interviews or perhaps it could give you invaluable information in starting up a business.

Network

Get out there and talk to other people in the job you want to do. This may sound scary for the more shy of us but remember networking is just talking to people. There could be a family member who does the job you would like to do or a friend. Start with them. This will help you discover whether the career you want is definitely for you and if you have the skills and ability for the job and if not what you need to do to get them.

Use the resources you have

It may be that you have to stay in your current job or situation while you start to work on your career change. If this is the case look at the resources you can use in your current situation to start making steps towards your goal. Is there any work place training you can do that will help in your career change? Are there people you can network with at work or family, friends and contacts at home? Can you use computers in your lunch hour to apply for courses, jobs or do online training? Are there contacts you can make with potential suppliers or customers? Use the time and resources you currently have to help you move forward on your career change journey.

Feel the fear

One of the truths I can give you is it’s mainly fear which stops you from getting started and keeping motivated at anything. Fear of failing at the new career, fear of looking stupid, fear of making a mistake, fear of rejection, the list goes on. One of the best books I ever read was Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers. This excellent book inspired me to change my own career (read my story on the about me page). For me it was a life changing book which helped me move forward in many other areas too. The advice she gives is the only way the fear will go away is to push through the fear and take action anyway. Jeffers give tips, advice and exercises to help you push through all your fears and start working towards your goals.

Just do it

If you want to be a website designer, find somebody who needs a website and design it. If you want to set up a pet sitting business, pet sit for one person. If you want to become a beautician, go and practice. It may be you have to do it for free but you will gain so much more experience if you go out there and do it. If you design a good website you make get recommended to a friend and you have y our first customer. If your pet sitters are happy they may pay you next time. You get the picture. Or do some voluntary work. You will gain the skills and experience in the field that you need which will be invaluable when you come to apply for jobs. You may meet people who are doing the job you need to do to network with. The people you work for may offer you a job or you may build up invaluable contacts for setting up your own business. If you are working full time it may be something you have to do in your spare time but a few extra hours of career investment can take the place of watching the TV or reading a book. If it is important to you, you can and will do it. If this feels daunting to you just begin by taking really small steps. Always remember a journey to any goal is a series of small steps.

Investigate courses

It's possible to retrain and study while earning money. Look at distance learning, online courses and part time courses. There are many options which you can combine with your current job