Changing Careers: Get Unstuck - Get Going!

Changing careers or not is the question many are asking after five or ten or more years working in one career. Yet even though motivated about changing careers many are stuck in how to get started and where do they go to get ideas that make sense.

With some out-of-the box thinking you'll soon see the almost unlimited universe of different career possibilities.

Here are some ideas to get you unstuck and assist you in exploring the possibilities and help you build some viable career options.

1. Ignore titles of jobs. Think more about the key factors you're looking for in your new career. What is important to you in a job? What do you want to do? Work for a big employer; small employer; wide latitude in what you do or close supervision; manage others or work alone; you get the idea you need to explore all aspects of working.

Self-employment could be another career option.

2. What do you not want to do? If you are in a job with a lot of negatives this can help identify what you want to stay away from. How about jobs you held in the past, what duties or factors do you not want as a major part of your new career? Even though if you put something in the negative column; honestly ask yourself if you would do the job under different circumstances.

3. Write out what you career would look like if there were no limits. If everything was wide open what would your career look like? What is your dream? Forget the limiting influence of others. Be realistic, if you are 55 years old your days of pitching in the major leagues may be over, but aside from physical limits everything else should be wide open.

4. Rediscover what inspires you. Over your working life what nugget of work did you really enjoy? If you could jettison everything else how could this passion be repackaged into a career? What skills might be necessary to be allied to this career? Do your possess these skills and if not, and how will you acquire them?

5. New careers come in all shapes and sizes. Who can say that mentoring young people in less important than designing a memorable building? Your view of your new career is important to you; it is unique to your skills and interests. Sometimes, finding a new job that is close to your old career; that does not require duties that you feel are burdensome can make all the difference in the world.

To put you on the path toward a new career requires some thinking and planning to get you unstuck. Take the journey in small steps over a period of time. Start by keeping a journal. Write down ideas and possible areas to research. Talk to others, remain flexible and carefully think through your decisions. With these ideas to get you started, that new career will come into focus before you know it.

John Groth has changed careers seven times during his working life. Learn more about changing careers and career planning at http://careersafter50.com. Discover how others over age 50, built winning career plans and found the right careers by effective career planning after 50.