It has become increasingly common for people to feel an urgent need to make a complete career shift and venture into something entirely new and different. The COVID pandemic and extended periods of being away from work during Lockdowns led many to reevaluate their choices and question whether they were in the right profession or not.

The Lockdowns, which stretched from February of 2020 to mid year of 2022 also provided a much needed opportunity for millions of people around the globe to pursue interests they had previously had no time to entertain. As a result, many new bakers, painters, make up artists and interior designers emerged post COVID, as corporate jobs were suddenly replaced by creative endeavors.

The reasons for wanting to switch to a new career or vocation are vast, and we will explore a few of them below.

1. Becoming a parent

The birth of a child is an extraordinary experience which often drives new parents to adjust their priorities and earnestly seek out the true meaning of life. Mothers may decide to bow out of full time employment to raise their children while running a home based business.

The experience of bringing up a child may also ignite a new passion in some parents for providing child-centred products and services. These products and services may include toy making, starting a playgroup or running a homework supervision business. Either way, parenting is a powerful trigger for a life changing career shift.

For a few great business ideas for stay at home moms, click on the link below.

https://www.ownr.co/blog/business-ideas-for-moms/

2. Life altering experiences

A painful sickness, devastating accident or the loss of a loved one can affect an individual’s ability to perform at optimal levels in their job. This may be due to physical challenges as a result of sickness or injury, or emotional distress, which hinders their ability to focus and excel.

On the flipside, a painful experience may give a person the push they needed to pursue a forgotten and buried childhood dream. It can also act as a catalyst for starting support groups or awareness programs for people affected in similar ways.

3.  Loss of a job or business

In June 2021, it was reported that 500 000 Zimbabweans had lost their jobs due to the Covid pandemic (allafrica.com), while 1.3 million people were found to be unemployed in the UK according to the BBC.

The disappointing and often traumatic loss of a job, due to company closure, retrenchment or other reasons may lead people to lose interest in their chosen career and to seek new beginnings. This is how many new businesses are born. Losing a job may also give individuals the motivation they need to go back to school and explore an entirely new field of study.

4.  Social issues

War, economic collapse, epidemics and poverty are powerful drivers of change, even in the context of career and business. This is usually when most people say they have found their calling or purpose in life.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, when AIDS-related deaths were at an all-time high, many charities and awareness initiatives were launched across the globe with a specific focus on HIV and AIDS prevention. Similarly, in vulnerable communities where hunger and malnutrition are a scourge, many soup kitchens and food distribution programs have been launched.

A social crisis can provide a much-needed platform for you to use your talents to make a difference in the world. Where others would ordinarily see problems, innovators tend to see opportunities.

5. Spiritual reasons

The desire for spiritual fulfilment and empowering others while developing a connection with the Creator has seen many professionals across the centuries trading their jobs for a life of serving God.

In the Bible, the disciples left their work in tax collection, fishing and medicine to become Jesus’s disciples, and eventually became Apostles of the Christian faith. Similarly, Moses left his work as a shepherd in the wilderness to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

In the modern day, people may choose to become missionaries, preachers, spiritual teachers and mentors instead of regular employment.

6. Loss of interest or morale

There are times when a normally zealous worker’s sense of drive or passion for their work can suddenly vanish,q and as a result, they struggle to deliver quality results with consistency and excellence. In some instances, this may serve as a signal that a career shift is due, especially if you find that your work no longer fulfils or challenges you.

There are times, however, when what you need is not necessarily to quit your job, but to take a break so that you can recharge and find some inspiration.

7. Poor remuneration

High salaries, international travel, exclusive memberships and associated perks have been cited by many experts as a key factor in the desire of individuals to pursue careers in certain fields. When this reward system is compromised in some way, resulting in salaries which either don’t adequately cover the needs of workers, or enable them to fulfil their dreams of seeing the world or living in the best house money can buy, this can be enough to cause a career shift.

Similarly, if the cons of doing a particular job strongly outweigh its financial benefits, it is common for people to turn in their resignation in favour of something that offers the monetary gain they desire.

In the event that you are unhappy with what you are earning at work, it’s advisable to request a pay rise before writing your resignation letter. This request should express clearly the skills, experience and results you bring to the company, and possibly how you can continue to add value in the long run.

Tips on effectively requesting a salary raise can be found in the link below:

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8101-asking-for-a-raise-tips.html

These 7 are a few reasons that may trigger a desire to change careers, either by acting as a source of motivation or by creating an atmosphere which hinders productivity.

Ultimately, the most important thing isn’t how one leaves their career, but what they choose to do going forward. While one may wallow in self-pity and regret, another may decide to rise from the ashes to embark on a journey to tremendous success.

In the words of Harvey Mackay, “people become successful the minute they decide to be.”

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