Daily Reading...Allen James' Daily Guide to Success series, "A Woman's Daily Guide to Success"

Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for March 6th from "A Woman's Daily Guide to Success" is, "Contemplate your future". From "A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success" we read, "Contemplate your future, again".

Research tells us Americans change jobs on average every 4.5 years (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). I decided to take a look back over my own working life to see if this holds true for me. I came up with very similar results:

1977 - 1982 - Worked in Food Service = 5 years
1982 - 1986 - Worked in Hospitality = 4.5 years
1986 - 1994 - High School English Teacher = 8 years
1994 - 2000 - High School Counselor = 6 years
2000 - 2006 - Private Psychotherapist = 7 years
2006 - 2013 - Vocational Counselor = 7 years

Sitting down and considering it more closely makes one realize how busy, or not busy, they have been over 36 years.

Yet notice I said research reports Americans change "jobs" on average every 4.5 years, not "careers". Most of my adult years have been spent in one career field (education) with varying jobs in that career field. Certainly every 4 - 6 years I've contemplated my future closely...closely enough to make changes advancing myself to gain more from the field.

A close friend and mentor of mine years ago taught me the importance of not making hasty decisions when considering career changes. She would say, "H, try sitting down and making a two column like of the pros and cons of the decision. If the column with the cons is larger than the column with the pros, you might want to think twice about making the change". Great advice, and advice I've taken each time I've changed positions.

There are 6 main reasons we change jobs or make career changes:
1. Life changes which require career adjustment
2. The job outlook in the field we're in worsens
3. Job burnout
4. Stress levels are out of control
5. We become bored with our current position (differs from burnout)
6. $$$$

Regardless of where you are in your current position, work wise or otherwise, contemplate your future. Making change can open you to a whole new world of exploration and adventure.

Keep looking up. : ) AJ