Starting a New Fulfilling Career or Business

by Marjorie McMillian

Moving in a new career direction could be your ticket to securing more money, recognition, personal satisfaction, and a better lifestyle. Of course, making such a move won’t be easy. You’ll likely have to navigate many challenges and truly push past your comfort zone to succeed. To help you make this transition, Belladonna’s Books offers this mini-guide below:

Set the right career goals

First, be clear about what you want – whether that’s a promotion, a new job in your current industry, or a new job in a brand-new industry. When you’re clear about the desired result, you’ll be able to figure out the concrete steps to take to get there.

How do you choose the right end goal? We offer some considerations below that could help you make a wise choice. Essentially, you might want to pick something that ticks the most boxes. 

  • Personal preferences: What type of work would satisfy you the most? What lifestyle would you like to have? Do you like a particular niche or industry?
  • Transferable skills: Do you have existing skills or knowledge that could help you in a particular niche? Your strengths in one area could carry over to another. 
  • Industry demand: It’s always best you pick an industry with solid growth potential. You’ll have an easier time landing a job as well as keeping it.

If you’re still confused or need more information, you can take tests (like aptitude or personality) and consult with a career guidance counselor to find suitable options. 

Navigating career-change challenges

Many people experience similar challenges when changing careers, according to a FlexJobs report – having to build a new network, being too old, starting over, and having to settle for a smaller paycheck. Being prepared, practically and mentally, and having a good plan will make it easier to surmount said challenges. Keep the end result in mind (a better career and life) to stay motivated and keep pushing yourself forward.

Should you start your own business instead? 

People are becoming more entrepreneurial. According to an Inc. report, 63 percent of 20-somethings want their own business now. You may feel the same way. Having a business can give you a great deal of flexibility. You set your own hours, do what you love, and potentially make a lot of money. To get started, you need a solid business idea, seed money, and a business plan. Being a business owner can be challenging – but it’s by no means impossible.

Business formation is an important step to starting a business. The way it’s formed will determine your personal liability, how you pay your taxes, and other crucial details. You can form your business on your own. Optionally, you can use affordable online services to do it on your behalf, which may be faster and easier. They do all the legwork, including filing the necessary paperwork with your state and providing you with the documents you need to get operational. 

Starting a writing business

A convenient business to start if you’re good with words and like expressing yourself is writing. You can potentially work from home (or anywhere else) over the internet. Writing has many niches, from business to technical, meaning you could specialize for more personal satisfaction (and money). To get started, consider picking a niche, preparing a writing portfolio, putting yourself online, marketing yourself, and approaching potential clients. 

Going back to school

Whether you’re moving in a new career direction or starting your own business, getting a new degree could give you the knowledge you need to succeed. For instance, a business degree could teach you crucial business-related skills. If you pick an education degree, you open up a path for yourself as an educator. You can deep dive into your favorite subject and pick up valuable skills like instructional practice and learner development. If you choose an online degree program, you could potentially work full-time while still keeping up with your studies. This deserves a look.

Conclusion

The average person changes careers 10 to 15 times during their working years. Also, a million adults return to school to earn new degrees. You’re not alone in wanting a change – it’s par for the course for everyone. Many people end up significantly happier after making a career move or becoming their own boss, and so could you. 

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