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Have you ever thought about making a career change, only to look at the
limits of your current situation and decide that a new career just wasn’t in
the cards?
If you have, you’re in good company. I see it all the time. And far too often,
that potential new career has been a skewered unnecessarily, a victim of
black-and-white thinking. That mindset sees only two options - either a
career change is possible today, or it isn’t possible at all.
Create a parallel career track
But there’s a third, more realistic option. I think of it as taking a dual track
approach.
When people look at a career change and decide it’s not possible, most
often what they really mean is, “It’s not possible now.” And they might be
right. But what is impossible today could very well be possible in the future
if they start taking steps in that direction right now.
In a dual track approach to change, you continue on the path you’re on –
doing the job that pays the bills, keeps a roof over your head, etc. – and at
the same time take steps toward the change you want to make.
Don’t wait for the time to be right
Where most people get stuck is “waiting for the time to be right.” They look
at making a change, decide they can’t, and hunker down to wait until they
can. Five years later, they’re still waiting for the time to be right. Ten years
later, same thing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that story.
But if you start taking action towards your goal with a second track while
meeting your obligations with your first track, and you do it consistently
over time, at some point you will have made so much progress that the
previously “impossible” change is going to be more like stepping off a curb
than jumping off a cliff.
If you want to make a career change but it doesn’t seem possible right now,
ask, “Could it be possible within two years? How about within five years?”
Identify what needs to be done in order to get there. Do you need more
knowledge? More money? Do you need to build a network, or maybe
develop a reputation as an expert?
Take consistent, persistent action *
Another common trap is embarking on that second track with the best of
intentions, and then getting side-tracked by the rest of your life. Once you
identify those steps, start taking them – and don’t stop!
Find ways to keep your focus on that second track as well. Set goals.
Create accountability by declaring your intentions publicly to friends and
family. Partner up with someone else who is taking steps towards their own
career passion and support each other.
When you jettison that black-and-white thinking and open the door to a dual
track approach, it’s amazing what paths become possible.
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A Travel Guide to the Career of Your Dreams
