Before you take the chance to make a career change, to quit something you don't like in order to pursue something you love, you need to find yourself.
Not only is it critical to know where you are before you jump, you must also know who you are. The question at hand is one of identity.
Why is this issue so important? Because your identity lies at the core of who you believe you are and what you think you're capable of. It's the truth that generates your self-confidence, and it's inextricably linked to your dream. It goes something like this: Who You Are > What You Want > How to Get It.
Who you are --- or, more specifically, who you think you are --- affects everything else in your life.
It's a simple question, weighing in at just three words. It's probably one of the most basic questions in the entire world. But it's also a question that is a lot harder than it seems. And only you can answer it. You can't outsource this identity thing.
First, What Makes You Unique? This is an easy place to start since it can be a little more concrete. Think about your experiences, your quirks, your unconscious habits, or even physical traits. Our personalities are shaped by genetics and life experiences.
Second, What Do You Love? What makes you happy or gets you excited? What can't you stop talking about? What thoughts do you keep coming back to? What warms you up inside?
Third, What Are You Good At? It's important to recognize when you feel strong and when you don't. Whether you want to believe it, you have certain skills, talents, and gifts that set you apart. Our "life signature" is the tracing of the talents we are given and how we express them in our lives.
Fourth, What Do You Believe? Our assumptions and beliefs drive our behavior. What we believe we can achieve, we achieve. Yet, when we believe we are not good enough to achieve something, we don't. Only you know what's important in achieving your vision of success. However, we all seek shared outcomes to provide a foundation for where we want to be.
In the business world, we don't speak much about the heart. Yet, since all businesses are ultimately people serving people, our life's work should come from the heart. Long after your products or services have been delivered, the feelings and knowledge shared during the business relationship remain.
JUMP SHIP by author Josh Shipp is a step-by-step handbook that guides you through one of life's most difficult changes. Leaving behind an unsatisfying job and embarking upon a new career can open up a world of fulfillment, but it isn't easy.
Sources: Josh Shipp: Jump Ship: Ditch Your Dead-End Job and Turn Your Passion into a Profession