Did you know the average American now has four careers throughout their life instead of one? As industries change, the demands of the workplace and our roles within them is constantly adapting. No more are the days of working a dead end job. If you don’t like your career, or it hasn’t been invented, fear not. You can always switch lanes at a later date. This uniquely opportunist approach to starting a career is opening many doors for guys who want to excel, but how can you make sure you’re climbing the ladder?
To help you determine whether to stay in your lane or jump deck, we put our heads together to give you a three point game plan. This will cover most bases and give you a good indicator of whether you should stay or you should go. After, we have an exclusive heads up from Men’s Health that you can check out if you want to achieve mastery in your field. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will reveal how he made it to the top of the basketball mountain.
Step 1: Weigh In
The first step in deciding if a career leap is right for you to is to weigh in the pros and cons of your current position. It may be that you feel you are ready to jump ship, but more often than not, many guys fail to see the potential in their position or that they are close to taking off. Starting over in a new career can be exciting and even glamorous, but if you do not figure out your gameplan, you will only end up jumping another ship in a few years, which could be a tremendous step back waiting to happen.
- Opportunities
- Training
- Benefits
- Income
- Enjoyment
Step 2: The Risks
Ask yourself:
- Are my responsibilities adaptable? Oftentimes, when we are in a career rut, a change of position within a company, or even just quitting those tasks we hate, can be a game changer. Frustration is a natural part of growth and yes, it often signals a desire to seek out change, but consider if a small change would actually make a big difference before going into the unknown.
- Can I move sideways? Similarly, moving up can be a big step. Moing sideways into a new lane, however, could put you in the fast track to success by circumnavigating your frustrations. Ask around in the office what career opportunities are on hand or if there is a skill or experience they are looking for in a position you want to fulfill to become a prime candidate.
- How long will I be here? If you are new to a career and aren’t feeling it, you can run out the door fairly risk free. If instead you have been slaving away trying to make it, you could have a lot to lose. Both in terms of job security, opportunity, and potential to grow within a company. Evaluate what you have to lose in the next 3, 5, or 10 years with a company before leaving.
Step 3: Jump!
It might sound obvous, but if you don’t take the jump into a career, someone else will. Many times, we seek out validation from friends and family without realizing that their opinion has a narrow field of vision. They do not know your passion. They do not know what you experience, or how you feel. They honestly might not even care what you do, or be jealous, and so seeking out their opinion could hold you back from a glistening future. Instead, use this jump to launch from your own platform!
At the end of the day, your career is a valuable and sizeable chunk of how you spend your time. If you don’t love what you do then you need to make a swift decision to find out what it is that you love and pursue it. While it is perfectly normal to have no idea what you want to do in the bigger picture, you can start your journey by identifying your strengths and passions, and what motivates you. These are the pillars of finding and then landing your dream career, and if you do need to change lanes, now you know how!
For more career advice, check out the November issue of Men’s Health to read an exclusive interview with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry; he’ll reveal how he climbed to the top of the basketball mountain.
