A Career Shift Is More Than a Professional Move

Roughly 50% of people don’t like their job. Yet many people continue doing what they hate doing for a living. After all, while the cost of living may vary from place to place, there’s always a cost. And these costs are just one of many reasons making a career shift can be highly nerve-wracking. 

Even so, making a career transition is often necessary. Regardless of what the money looks like, a change of pace may bolster you mentally, physically, and emotionally. It may even help you be at more peace spiritually. But if you want to reap the benefits of a career shift, you have to be brave enough to switch things up. No matter how uncomfortable it may be in the short-term. Because with a career shift, you’re switching up more than a job title.

A career shift should benefit your personal life

When you make a career shift, you’re taking back control. Not just of your professional career, but of your personal life. You have decided that the status quo isn’t good enough for you, and you are taking the necessary steps to pursue something that will be more fulfilling.

As such, you determine what a career shift looks like for you. Because it won’t look the same for everyone. It could be the same job at a different place. A different job at the same place. A different job at a different place, possibly in an entirely different industry. Or retirement. Or going back to school. Perhaps it’s starting an e-commerce business or taking a yearlong break to reassess long-term goals and reorient accordingly.

Whatever your career shift looks like, it’s bound to be uncomfortable initially. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. So long as it will eventually lead you to a better place personally, even if it’s a similar place professionally, the change is justified. 

Not sure if you need to make that change? Remember this: There is more to life than work. Which means your career should better your life, not the other way around. If it’s not? It might be time to make a career shift.

So, do it. Don’t be afraid. Take back control of your life.

About the Author

J.P. Pressley

J.P. Pressley is a graduate of Lindenwood University’s MFA in Writing Program, a former college lecturer, and an all around storyteller working as an Editor at a marketing agency by day and as a Creative Writer and Filmmaker by night.

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