Modern Goddess Magazine

Many of us find ourselves asking throughout our lifetime the age-old question, “what do I want to be when I grow-up?”  Regardless of whether we are ten or 40 years of age, we are constantly evolving, growing, developing, and exploring.  However, as we age, changing career paths seems like an insurmountable challenge faced with fears and uncertainty.

• Do we have to return back to college?
• Are we too old to change careers?
• Will we be successful if we change paths?
• Can we still retire as planned?
• Can we actually do it?

Before you allow yourself to get caught up in the details, consider exploring the options in an abstract manner.  First, learn more about yourself and gather information to help guide you through the process.  After you have a better understanding of your foundational needs, wants, and preferences, you can begin to explore more deeply.

Here are some important questions to ask to help get you started:

• What do you want?
• What other choices do you have?
• What will this goal provide you?
• What is important to you about that goal?
• What are you willing to give up to accomplish this goal?
• What are you unwilling to change?
• What have you tried to achieve to accomplish this goal?
• What can you learn from this goal?
• What will you do differently next time?
• What can you do to make a difference?
• What is good about your present situation?
• What could be stopping you from taking action?
• What is the worst thing that could happen if you do this?
• What is the best thing that could happen to you if you do this?
• What is the worst thing that could happen if you don’t do this?

Answering these questions won’t produce more clarity as to whether you should take the step towards changing your career but rather, it will help you to understand where you currently stand.  It is important to know where you are coming from before you can move forward.

Additional information that you will need to gather includes a) identifying support, b) investigating potential careers, c) meeting with mentors, d) understanding your options, and e) identifying the best steps for transitioning.

Best of luck… What do you want to be when you grow up?