Have you ever thought about freelancing? Or maybe becoming a consultant?
What about having more flexibility where and when you work? Are you curious about starting a side hustle or are you completely clueless when it comes to the what career path options there are?
In a rapidly changing world of work, you could be missing out on opportunities that in the past were only a pipe dream. In this episode, we are looking at some of the career paths you could potentially take, so you can work out what would work best for YOU!
So tap on play, pop in your ear phones and think about what you really want from life.
Episode Links:
If you want more guidance and exercises to find the one passion that is strong enough to bring you success, then download my free guide,which I have created just for you, called ‘How to find your Burning Passion (and re-ignite your career and life)
‘The One Thing’. Book by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan
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Can’t listen right now? Here are the highlights…
The pandemic has definitely had a hand in some changes, with the advances in technology and mindsets in relation to how we work already becoming clear. Although much will go ‘back to normal’ post-covid, some things will be changed forever and now is the time for you to take advantage of this new working landscape!
You need to be clear on what your career path will look like, and also have a few alternate options in the bank in case we get some more shifts in the future.
We are looking at some of the career paths you can take. It’s not an exhaustive list but something to get you thinking what you really want!
1. The Career Re-ignition
The key thing here is to take action to re-ignite your career, or it will stay stalled and you will remain frustrated and unfulfilled. We all know that life is too short for that!
Depending on the reasons for your frustration, taking action could involve
- taking the steps to go for promotion if that is something you are ambitious for.
- Or maybe asking for recognition or enhanced status with your current employer for your expertise in your specialism. This could include financial recognition, more development or a wider scope. At least ask about the possibilities where you currently work, before looking to move.
- If you have exhausted all avenues or just know your current employer is not the one for you, you can look to move to a new company in the same or different industry. Just take your time and make sure you do your research so you don’t end up somewhere where your frustration is the same.
- If you are more adventurous, you could also look for opportunities to continue your career in a new city or country. Sometimes that change is enough to re-ignite the flame of your passion and give you your mojo back!
2. Next is the the Career Shift
This is when you know that your true passion lies in a different sphere from your current career.
This option is to change your career to a completely different path, but still remaining an employee. So if you are working in finance, but your passion is really for marketing, or if you work in a sales role but you really want to become a garden designer , or you’re a teacher who wants to move into corporate or a doctor who wants to become a teacher.
This is not something that happens overnight and is more challenging, but definitely possible. It involves planning to make the leap in stages so you can retain an income while building on your skills and talents.
3. The Free Spirit
What are we talking about here, well Consultancy, Contracting and Freelancing. They’re terms that are sometimes used interchangeably but there are distinct differences.
Consultants are independent professionals who have extensive skills, training and knowledge in their specific field. So, they’re usually brought in to assess the performance or activities in a company or specific department, then make suggestions and provide advice on how to make improvements. The good thing is that they usually do not do the actual work themselves, but will show the client how to implement their proposals.
On the other hand, as a Contractor you are hired by clients to provide a service or complete a project on a short term contract basis. That would typically be 3, 6 or 12 months. You’ll work on site at your client’s offices alongside permanent employees, and do the actual work until the end of the contract time (unless it's extended).
Finally, a freelancer completes tasks and projects away from their client’s premises, usually at home (although sometimes they may come to the offices, depending on the project). The tasks are usually quite specific like creating a computer programme, or a financial model or writing copy for a part of a Like the contractors they are ‘doers’
The main difference between contractors and freelancers is that contractors only work for one client at a time, whereas freelancers will generally work on multiple projects for more than one client.
The benefits of all these options are that you have flexibility and control over what work you do and when you work. This gives you the freedom to balance your work and life and achieve whatever you have in your success vision. I once worked with someone who works as a contractor for six months and they focussed on her work as an artist for the rest of the year, the contracting subsidised her passion.
Also, If you enjoy working with other people in offices then contracting and consultancy give you that opportunity without tying you into something longer term.
If you have all the skills, you could wear all these hats and alternate from consultancy, contracting and freelance work as it suits you.
4. The Online Employee
As the name suggests, this is where you work 100% online. It touches on some of the other options, but I thought it deserves it’s own category as it is becoming more and more relevant.
If you have enjoyed the flexibility and time saving working from home has brought, it could be the right moment to make it more permanent.
You could continue in your current specialism, if you are passionate about it, and find an online version. That could be either with your current employer if they are agreeable, or with a new company.
Equally, if you want to make a career with a new passion, this can also be a great option. As I mentioned, when discussing freelancing, it can be a way to get companies to test your new skills without them having to agree to a longer term arrangement.
With the rise of online only businesses, virtual employees are becoming more popular.
Roles such as virtual assistants are rising, and other specialisms like finance, HR, marketing, legal etc are also moving online as online businesses grow.
As a fully online worker, you can work from wherever you want. Which gives more flexibility to travel and make your work and home life more fluid.
Like any solo based role, you need to be sure you can deal with working by yourself, as it takes a lot of discipline and you can be alone for long periods. But if that works for you, it can be a truly viable career option.
5. The Business start-up
There is a huge industry now of experts saying if you are unfulfilled in your job then go set up your own business, but it is not for everyone! You should definitely explore all options before taking the leap, as it has to work for you. Saying that there is a way to ‘try before you buy’ and work out if being a business owner is for you and that is:
The Side-Hustle - This is the option where you start a business involving your passion, alongside your current job. It need not even be a business, you can start it as a hobby and gradually move up to having something people would pay for.
The side hustle is perfect if you are not ready yet to change your career, due to responsibilities or circumstances. It allows you to explore your passion for the project, your talents and skills, and if it is something that you think can make an income for you and help you reach your vision for success.
On the other hand, as a full time business owner, you are ready to say goodbye to your life as an employee and celebrate the freedom and potential rewards that come with being a business owner. You know you have the skills, drive and potential to make the change. This option is not to be taken lightly. The transition from employee to business owner, not only involves a huge amount of learning but also tests and stretches your self-belief and confidence to the full.
The main focus here is to educate yourself, prepare and plan in depth, even if you do not officially launch until after you leave your job. This is indeed a big leap, but a controlled leap. If this is where your Burning Passion lies than it is a change you have to make, whatever it takes!
- The Life Transformation
The next options is the life transformation! It takes a particular type of person to go for this. You really have a fire in you! This is all or nothing! The Life Transformation option means exactly that…powering your passion to change your career, country and way of life. Think of the tv programmes Escape to the Chateau or New Life in the sun!, those people are willing to risk everything to make their dream happen.
This is more rare but achievable if you have the burning passion to go for it.
This is usually a longer term plan but can be achieved faster if you have the energy, drive and determination. If a life transformation is what you are aiming for, then a solid strategy, plan and organistion is essential.
- Finally we have The Hybrid
This is the mix and match option, where you can be inventive! You can take one or two of the other pathways and mix them together! It’s how you can really tailor a career for yourself to fit your passion, support your success vision and allow you to keep some of the security and reassurance you may be clinging onto.
It also can help you make a transition from one specialism or industry to another, as you can use the hybrid to test other potential career paths.
For example, you could work part-time in a permanent role three days a week, then have your own business for the other two. Or you could have your own business that you work on for four days but then freelance for other businesses for one day.
This option takes more planning and preparation, but also ‘future proofs’ you should something happen in one of your roles. You will always have a back up.
Now, a bit of caution, with all these options there will be a host of administrational, financial and legal points you would need to dig into further for each, but don’t think of that yet.
First consider which of the options would suit your passion, talents and skill, success vision and lifestyle most and make a decision to go for it. There is power in simplicity.
There is no point looking for a contract or a perm role or considering a side hustle all at the same time (unless you are considering the hybrid option).
If you can find the ONE career option you want to go for, then focus all your efforts in making it happen, you have far more chance of success then if you look at a lot of paths at once. You can always try another option, further down the line.
So if you are not ready or don’t want to work for yourself then look at how you will progress your career in the more traditional route to re-ignite the career you are in already or find a new specialism in the same world . That does not stop you changing to a different path in the future.
A final thought, all paths options are possible and varying in difficulty, but with a clear strategy and proper planning you can make any of them happen. You just have to be willing to put in the work, overcome any obstacles, and be daring enough to trust and believe in yourself!
A lot will also depend on what your Burning Passion is and if you are clear on it. If you want to know what your burning passion is then listen to episodes 3, 4, 5 and 6 and download my free guide ‘ How to find your burning passion (and reignite your career and life). I’ll put a link to it in the show notes.
Key points:
- The working world is changing so make sure you are prepared and ready to gain from new opportunities
- Decide on the career path option that most suits your passion, talents, lifestyle and vision for success.
- Have a back up planned, and always be ready to pivot to something new
- Focus on the one career path option and put all your effort into making it happen
- For all paths develop a clear strategy, make detailed plans to support your goals and keep organised (I’ll be talking more about that in a future episode)
If you would like to listen to more episodes, follow or subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google or Stitcher, or go to my website nicholaohara.com/podcast.
Join me in the next episode and remember, everyone deserves to live their passion, so get started this is your time!
