Depending on the research you read, it appears that anywhere from 40% to 60% of workers are less than satisfied in their current career fields. Many individuals are not getting what they hoped they would get from their chosen career path. If you are one of those people and you want to make a career change, here are ten steps that you can take to assure that your change is a successful one.

1. Put words to your feelings/thoughts. Take the time to clearly articulate the feelings and thoughts you are having in regards to your work. Every job has its good and bad parts. Be objective. What feelings are generated by these bad parts of the job that make you feel so strongly that you would consider making an entire career change? Alternatively, what feelings do you find yourself not experiencing even when engaged in the good parts of the job?
   
2. “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Take time to reflect and decide if you are dissatisfied with your current job or if it is the entire job field that is pushing you towards change. If it’s just the current job that is not satisfying to you, try to negotiate change within the field first and then re-evaluate your level of satisfaction afterwards.
   
3. “Look at the forest and not the trees.” If you’ve been in the field for a while, try to take a sabbatical or a leave of absence. This will allow you to remove yourself from the work for a period of time. During this time, you can assess how much you miss the work, what particular aspects you miss versus what you’re glad to be without, etc. This will also help you to determine if you really want to make a career change or if you are simply feeling burned out in your current job.
   
4. Meet with a career counselor or coach. Meeting with a career counselor affords you the opportunity to talk through your decision process in a more objective, emotionally neutral manner. This allows for more clarity regarding career direction. Your career counselor will also help to develop your confidence. Now you can effectively execute career change with this renewed clarity and strength.
   
5. Examine yourself – start with a good self-assessment. Truly knowing yourself is the best way to make healthy decisions for you and your loved ones. Assess your personality strengths – what characteristics do you display most of the time that will be useful in a future career field? Assess your interests and skills – what are the things that you like to do with your time? And most importantly, assess your values – what are the things that really motivate you from one day to the next? What inspires you? What drives you?
   
6. Be an apprentice. Once you’ve made a decision on a new career path, expose yourself to that new field as much as possible. See if you can shadow somebody in the field. Associate with some of the professional groups of the field. Read any trade journals that may be available. Network with those already in the job. The goal is to get as accurate of a picture as possible of this new career venture.
   
7. Humble yourself. Starting a new career for many people involves “starting over.” This can be difficult for some to manage so be prepared to be humbled in your new vocation. Be prepared to invest the time and energy needed to learn and master this new career field. This might even mean taking direction and instruction from those younger and perhaps less “established” as you. It is OK, be comfortable with who you are. We are all students of life.
   
8. Commit to the future. We would never walk backwards down a busy sidewalk, nor should we look backwards on important life decisions. You can always return to your previous career if you feel the need or desire to do so. For now, leave it in the past and commit fully on the future. Any part of you that may still be holding onto the past will undermine your efforts to be successful in the future.
   
9. Prepare to be uncomfortable. During career change, you can expect to feel many different emotions, some of which might be discomfort. Change means uncertainty, unfamiliarity, and ambiguity. These are difficult feelings to tolerate, especially when you still have to meet adult responsibilities and obligations to your family and loved ones. Change is difficult. Prepare for this ahead of time and be prepared to flex those coping skills. Remember, this is also a time for enthusiasm and excitement. New opportunities await!
   
10. Rally the troops – making a career change is a significant life decision for many people. This is the time to reach out to those closest to you and garner their support and encouragement as you endure the discomfort of ambiguity and uncertainty. This trusted support can also be important in helping you to stay grounded and think realistically when developing and executing your plan for the future. Finally, we have all heard the saying that “it’s lonely at the top.” Well, it’s assumed that you are considering this career change because you want to be more fulfilled, content, and satisfied in life. What better gift for those you love than to bring them along on this ride so they can share in your contentment. They will be happier as well!