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Below is an exercise I use with my midlife career coaching clients. The questions will give you some practical issues to think about in midlife as well as help you look inside at the level of confidence you have for making the career change you are thinking about.
Two Exercises to Help you with your Decision
1. The following five questions are based on a model created by Linda and Sandra Perosa. Ask your self these questions:
What would it mean for me if I did not make a change?
Are there serious risks if I do change?
Am I being realistic to hope to find a better solution?
Is there adequate time to search and implement a change?
Take some time to consider the above questions and write your answers in a journal. It may help you to get your thoughts down on paper so you can thoroughly address each issue.
2. The following is another exercise* I use with my life coaching clients that you may find helpful. On a scale of 1-10 rate yourself for each of the following. 10 being the strongest and 1 being the weakest:
How willing you are to do what you need to do to make this career change?
How strong is your belief in your ability to plan the steps necessary to make this change?
Do you feel you have control over making this change?
Are there people in your life who will support this change?
Is your decision to change careers your own decision?
After you have assigned a rating pick one of these areas to address and see if you can do something over the next week to raise the score ½ point. So if you rated number three a 5 is there something you can do this week to make it a 5.5? How can you increase your control over this change?
The Enemy – The Negative Chatterer If you decide to take steps toward creating a new career you will notice the old familiar voice of the negative chatterer trying to stop you. The negative chatterer may come from within or without. The external negative chatterer may be a family member or friend who has always been afraid of change and has tried to hold you back in the past. Find someone who supports your decision.
The internal negative chatterer is also an old familiar friend who rears his ugly head every time you try to move forward. You may fear failure or commitment. It is also possible for old negative feelings from childhood to rear up and to try to stop you by telling you that you are not good enough or smart enough to make this change. Speak back to those negative thoughts and think back to a time when you broke through the barriers and succeeded.
Let me know how you are doing!
References: *Heppner, Mary (1998). The Career Transitions Inventory: Measuring Internal Resources in Adulthood. Journal of Career Assessment Vol. 6 Number 2
Perosa, L & Perosa, M. (1997). Assessments for Use with Mid-Career Changers. Journal of Career Assessment Vol. 5, Number 2.
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