The place I grew up had a musically inclined lady staying next door. Her taste in music was addictive, to say the least. Today morning I got out of bed with one of the songs I had heard her play when I was a kid. Here’s the song:
People around the world have been torn between working a 9 to 5 job and branching off to do something that gives them immense satisfaction. This song from the eighties is a classic example of the same. A great melody nevertheless. 🙂
Today, let’s talk about those professionals who find themselves at the crossroads of leaving the comfort of their careers and taking a leap of faith by following their dream. As rosy as it may sound, leaving a well-trodden career path for the uncertainty of following your passion, is a road rife with obstacles. However, you can avoid most of these obstacles if you are better prepared and plan your transition well in advance.
Despite the drastic change in the way we do things (thanks to technology) and the ever-increasing speed of life (not to forget the inherent costs as well), the conundrum faced by working professionals is still the same as it was decades back. Being good at something might not be able to put the food on the table (manage living costs) and a job might require us to learn things that we are not so good at and do them professionally. A true case of being ‘between a rock and a hard place’, isn’t it?
So, what does one do?
How does one choose between the two?
The lesser of two evils? Or, blindly follow the heart?
Here is what I recommend:
- So, you have a dream. But, do you have the passion to walk the tough path to fulfil it? Or is it a mere hobby? Or worse still, just a dream? Be clear. Understand and analyse your thoughts carefully. You have invested a lot of time and effort to be where you are in your career; be absolutely certain before you exit the road. It is this clarity that will be your guide in moments of doubt.
- How good are you at handling failures? When you follow your heart or that dream profession, chances are that you will face multiple failures, both big and small, before you taste the sweet fruit of success. Don’t let such roadblocks pull you down. Remember, a demotivated person never realizes any dreams.
- Rome was not built in a day. It took persistent effort and determination. Hard work, focus and determination can take you places. Don’t aspire overnight success in the process or bite more than you can chew. Wanting to pursue a career in music is good but expecting to rise to fame within 6 months can put added pressure on you and lead to no results. Don’t chase the possible, start with the probable.
- Are you financially ready for this move? If you are repaying a loan or have other financial obligations, then it will be prudent to first take care of those before you move out of the financial cushion provided by your career. Also, learn to manage your cost before your income reduces, which is likely to happen at least in the initial phase.
- What’s your fall back plan? Many people recommend not having a fall-back plan since it corrodes the passion. However, I believe that a fall-back ensures that you don’t get desperate while surging ahead which further ensures that your decisions are practical and progressive, not out of fear or any other negative emotion.
At Change Ur Story, we have walked alongside many professionals who have successfully altered the path of their professional lives by sheer dedication and hard work. We have seen the spirit that never dies and the dream that turns into reality. We have worked with such great professionals and understand that nothing is more precious than the moment when your dreams start seeing the light of day. Our Discovery Sessions are specifically designed to help you understand your aspirations, dreams and passion. So, if you have a dream and the desire to fulfil it, then drop us a line and let’s get to work!
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