Who says you must have just one career? If your potential, creativity and diligence demands that you give more of yourself to the benefit of mankind then the only one that can stop you is yourself. If you decide to have more than one career or are open to changing your career path, here are some useful tips to keep in mind.

Have you allowed your boss or your current job function to dictate how far you reach in your career and how much you earn? In our current climate of constant change and within the context of a job insecure environment, we must learn to manage our own careers. Do not be fooled into thinking that there is just one path to attaining your goals and therefore, settle for less than what your potential demands.

Self Assessment

Begin by looking dispassionately at your job and current position and see if you have done all you can to attain the highest level of competency or reached as far as you can go for the amount of time that you have been there. Ask yourself some tough questions:

  • Do I like my job or where I am today?
  • Is there more to be achieved within this career path?
  • Is money all that matters to me?
  • What has been my performance to date? Rate your performance honestly.
  • Do I possess all the necessary skills and qualifications to go further?
  • How much time do I have to acquire these new skills?

Discover Your Passion

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Having assessed your skill-set and competencies, you now need to discover your passion. What do you really want to become. For some persons it may be more than one thing or may be in a entirely different field than your present focus, however, it may also take some research.

Build a Portfolio Career

  • There is no law that says one must have just one profession.
  • Get a diversified skill-set in all areas of interest.
  • Plan your career and set goals and objectives that are measurable and within time lines.
  • Acquire the training and experience needed through volunteer work or become an apprentice.
  • Seek out work shops, seminars, courses, programs and clubs for training and growth.

Develop a Positive Attitude

Taking responsibility for your own career is a good way to examine mental attitudes.

Recognize that to ensure promotion and growth, you must consistently deliver high performance appraisals and meet set targets.

Thinking ahead will enable you to keep focused on your goals.

Seek persons who have beat the odds to achieve and ask them to mentor you.

Relieve stress by social activities and developing good relationships with persons you can talk to.

The support of family and friends is important to advancing your career objectives.