By Micah Janus, Ph.D.
Traveling the highways and byways of Georgia, I entertain that question a
lot. The State's lottery billboards shout the promise of my voluntary
retirement - only a ticket away. Even the happily employed cannot resist
posing the big "what if " question. Rush hour - a mile of fantasy, a mile of
gridlock, a mile of fantasy, a mile of gridlock, a mile of fantasy, a mile
of gridlock . . .
The lottery "what if " question is a reflecting pond of self-discovery for
aspiring career changers. The question goes something like this: "If I won
the lottery and did not have to be concerned about making a living ($), how
would I spend my time?" A more profound tilt to the question goes like
this: "If I won the lottery and did not have to work to make a living, how
would I make my life work?"
Of course, the underlying assumption of the question is that but for love or
want of money, one would spend ones time differently, perhaps not working at
all or doing some other kind of work or increasing ones recreation.
Another implication of the question is that working is not a choice we would
make, if we could do otherwise. No doubt, many of us feel obliged to work.
It behooves anyone contemplating career change to descend into the "what if
" question and mine it for gems of insight and self-awareness. So many
people without much forethought fall into a job. Then, one day, several
years into a career (of sorts), they realize that their occupation simply is
not a source of satisfaction and joy. Assuming that your boss is not mean
and your general working conditions are favorable, then there is a good
chance that it is the very nature of your work that does not suit you.
Here's where the "what if" question can be a lightning rod to stimulate
possibilities.
So often we will stay in a job because of financial security, an
understandable inclination. The "what If" question removes the fear of
starvation (not literally, of course), allowing the mind to soar without
hesitation and benefit from the exercise created by the question. Maybe,
you'll visit the past of dreams and aspirations once held. Or, you will
bravely explore new, uncharted landscapes of career possibilities.
Diagnostically speaking, to break the habit of performing work that does not
suit you, you must remove the main factor that keeps you stationary -
financial insecurity. (Of course, financial insecurity may not be the main
inhibiting factor for everyone. For example, an individual may remain in a
job for lack of confidence to make a change. The "what if" question will
still work, though. Try it.)
If you ask the "what if" question and get some strong images of what you
would like to do in your work life, pay close attention. If an exciting
career idea emerges, take the steps to see how it might become a reality.
Talk it over with family and friends. I bet they will want to help. If,
on the other hand, you get more images about your personal life, heed those
with equal seriousness. Maybe you need more hikes in the mountains or to
practice your guitar and start a band. Change a single ingredient and you
potentially alter the whole cake.
Dr. Janus is co-founder and President of
CareeRx.com, an online career testing, career counseling and coaching service at
http://www.CareeRx.com.
