How to Start Over in Your Career

Now is the perfect time to take inventory of your public relations career. For many, we are looking for a fresh start and, as we all know, change is hard. If you need the inspiration to start over in your career, we have developed some tips to help you stay focused and reach your goals. Read on to learn how you can successfully start over in your career.

Take Inventory

Look over the past year. What have you accomplished and how does that make you feel? Write down your accomplishments, successes, and challenges. This will help you figure out what is working for you and what isn’t. Continue on with the things that are and vow to change the things that aren’t.

Start Fresh

Don’t work yourself up over what could’ve, should’ve, and would’ve been. Once you stop worrying about the past, you can start to look towards the future. Christine Carter Schaap, author of Bring It On! Women Embracing Midlife, says, “It’s easy to beat yourself up and use your failures as an excuse for not picking yourself up and moving on. As long as you live in the past, you’re denying yourself the future that could be yours.” There is not a perfect time to start, there is only now.

Embark on Self-Discovery

Career consultant, Jessica Manca, advises women to focus on self-discovery when making a career change. She proposes that self-discovery, “allows you to better understand yourself by increasing your awareness on a particular topic.” In order to do this, you need to clear your mind and trust your instincts. Some advocate yoga or meditation as a form of self-discovery, but a simple walk to clear your head, journaling your thoughts, or indulging in a good book can also work wonders.

Make an Action Plan 

If big changes feel overwhelming, and they often do, focus on small daily actions. When drafting your career action plan, develop detailed steps that will help you to reach your overarching goal. Accomplishing these smaller steps will make you feel more in control as you slowly build up to your end goal.

Related: How To Start Your Side Business While Working Full Time

Follow Your Gut

Your gut is your instinct. Human nature tells us that it’s a pretty good indicator in how we live our life. Without human instinct, we wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today. As you follow through on your career change, trust your gut. You will feel uncomfortable, that is change. But ultimately, you know what is best for you. Surround yourself with people who support you and your goals. Check in with your gut feeling on a regular basis. And enjoy the process of change.

Have you started over in your career? Tell us how you did it in the comments below!

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