Career Chaos

YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO CHANGE CAREERS WHEN...

Are you overworked, stressed-out, and just plain tired of juggling work and family responsibilities without any time for yourself? If you are, you're not alone. In fact, a recent study found that over 1/3 of Americans are overwhelmed with their jobs and are at risk for major health problems.

What can you do to get out of this mess? Consider changing careers! That's what I did. On the eve of my 7th anniversary of starting my own business, I reflect on what my life was like before I put on my entrepreneurial hat and hung up my corporate coat.

One symptom of my overwhelm, fibromyalgia, has been in remission since I discovered how to work my passion. My migraines are gone, too. Don't get me wrong - there's a lot of work involved in running your own business, but since it's the kind of work I enjoy, I am happy! My family is happier, too, knowing that I now love what I do.

You can be happy, too. Be bold. Take the first step to choose the right career for yourself. Life is too short to be imprisoned by a career that doesn't meet your needs.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN "WORK STINKS"

Are you part of the problem or the solution? Some think a "crisis" is brewing in the U.S. workplace with over 50% of all people unhappy at work. "Please Change That Stinking Job" explores which age group is most contributing to this movement.

I hope employers are listening to the cry of their employees. While different reasons contribute to worker dissatisfaction, feeing undervalued by their employers ranks right at the top. We all want to feel appreciated for what we do with 1/3 of our lives. What motivates you to do a good job?

FROM TECH VP TO TRUCKER

A lot of career changes are driven by unplanned circumstances called layoffs. Why is that? Why does it take such a major career event to happen before one realizes he isn't happy and wants to do something else? Or does the change happen because one is settling for something less since he can't get work doing what he did before?

Following his layoff, one tech exec chose to start his own trucking company as a way to change his pace of work. Perhaps it takes a life crisis to jar us out of complacency - to really examine what's most important - to make a commitment to do what's best for ME.

What do you think?

CAREERS AFTER RETIREMENT

This working over 50 stuff is really hot! Last week MSNBC did a weeklong feature on planning for retirement including the types of work that those of us over 50 are doing.

Did you know that The Home Depot looks for older workers to hire? In "A Second Chance to Work After Retirement," NBC reporter Campbell Brown explores why companies are eager to hire mature workers these days.

CAREER CHANGE OVER 50+

The news is full of features about retirement planning. As a card-carrying AARP member, retirement is starting to occupy my thoughts these days. Retirement planning includes much more than financial planning - for most of us, it includes how we will live our daily lives.

Believe it or not, many in their 50s and 60s consider changing careers instead of stopping work altogether. Who wants to lose the feeling of being productive? Not me! One of the reasons I started my own career coaching business was so no one could ever tell me when to retire.

I found an interesting website that explores all aspects of retirement. "Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life" is the book by Marika and Howard Stone. Take a look if retirement is on your mind, too. Discover new and different ways to add meaning to your llife.

CAREER CHANGE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

While reading my April issue of Entrepreneur Magazine (not yet available online), an article caught my eye - "In Full Boom." Author Mark Henricks briefly summarizes a new book by economist and New York Times bestseller, Harry S. Dent, Jr. - The Next Great Bubble Boom: How to Profit From the Greatest Boom in History: 2005-2009 (Free Press).

According to Henricks, Dent claims we're entering a new, bigger boom that will be bigger than the one in the 1990's, to be followed by a "bust rivaling the Great Depression." Well known and highly respected, Dent has been right on target in previous predictions, though has also missed a few times, too.

As an entrepreneur, I'm all for the boom, but that bust sounds a little scary. Is there another career change in my future? Hope not. This is one book I'm going to have to get!

FUTURE CAREER TRENDS

Stay on Top of Future Trends in the world of work with this website. What ideas do you get here for deciding on what's next for your career? I love this crystal ball approach to figuring out hot careers.

NEW CAREER FOR MOM

Some of my career coaching clients are mothers who left powerful careers to raise families and now seek their way back into the workplace. Since the "old" job may not be there anymore - what next? Here's one mother's career path reflecting her career changes - from sales and marketing to stay-at-home mom to .... drum roll - recipe development! She "works as a research chef consultant in the test kitchen cooking new recipes and reformulating old ones." Cool!

If you are a mom making a career change to reenter the workforce, please share your story here to inspire other moms who are trying to solve this dilemma. Thanks!

DRIVING CAREER CHANGE

Today I finally saw Million Dollar Baby, this year's Oscar-winning movie. Waitress turned boxer, Maggie Fitzgerald, made her career change happen with pure self-determination. Sure, she had talent and the smarts, but without her drive and self-confidence, she wouldn't have succeeded. For the past 20 years, I've had a simple saying posted above my desk, "Believe in yourself and everything is possible." It's worked for me. What will motivate your career change?

CAREER CHANGE - MORE THAN A DREAM?

If you dream of changing careers, what are you actually doing about it? Career coaches and career counselors are trained to help. Your dream can become a reality - but first you have to name it.

How sad to see so many stuck in a rut at work and think they have to stay there. Does that sound like you? With a little help, you could be on your way to a fulfilling career - in other words, "working your passion."

I found this article written by Margo Frey, a Career Counselor, that advises you to start the career transition process by indulging your fantasies: Fantasies can lead to realistic job expectations. Sweet dreams!