Remaining passionate in your career; and when a change may be needed
I know we all have worked with, witnessed or met that person that spends the majority of their day complaining about their job, and circumstances. My initial thought has always been- if you are unhappy, and have clearly lost your career passion, why are you here? Especially in a career such as healthcare where compassion fatigue is so prevalent.
As human beings we are ingrained to fear change, fear the unknown and the possibility of failure. When people speak about their career they mention productivity, success and financial gains but rarely do they mention happiness at the forefront. Since when did our happiness becomes a last thought in our careers? We spend many waking hours at work each week, and lets be honest, completely distancing work from your personal life is just not realistic. Seems a little backwards to me considering bringing passions forward and maintaining happiness feeds productivity and success for employees and employers.
“Skillset and flexibility should trump ageism”
Ageism exists-too young, too old, that unfortunately cannot be controlled. I myself am approaching 30 and have already made 2 major career changes. Starting my career in the Kinesiology field taught me a lot, I worked with and learnt from some amazing clients with physical, mental and emotional challenges. After 4 years in the field, I decided to go back to school for nursing, and take a risk. I knew I would find a job no problem post-graduation but I was unsure about whether 8 years of university would pay off, and of course whether I would love it after spending 4 more years in school and umpteen amounts of money. At this point in my life I was settling down and we were looking for a house, the timing wasn’t perfect, but I went for it! Fast forward almost 6 years, I am a critical care & mental health nurse, and decided to make another career change before I turn 30. What started as a birthday gift to myself to get some lip filler injections, developed into a peaked interest in the medical aesthetics field, and myself becoming a Certified Nurse Injector & CEO/Owner of Empowered Medical Aesthetics.
The journey is the destination
Truthfully I have never felt more proud and fulfilled since starting my own business. I am successful and growing, but most importantly I am also passionate and happy! I’ve been provided with a flexibility, and creative outlet I was never sparking in any of my other jobs. The best part probably being the business skillset and knowledge I have gained along the way. Business is 100% a learn as you go career, I had minimal experience going into it and was terrified of failing, but through trial and error, understanding my mistakes and learning from them I am where I am today.
Have you ever tried something new, kinda sucked at it and then gave up? We all have.
The difference about things when you are passionate about them is that you have no concerns giving it your all.
You will suck- sorry, its the truth. Over time, you will not suck as much. Then you’ll be good, and then you’ll be freaking mind-blowing!
I have put my all into this. I have invested hours upon hours of my unpaid time, and am continuously putting everything back into the business, to further its growth. I spend any small amount of extra time I have researching, engaging, and planning for my business. I have never really stopped and thought that this is “too much work” or that I do not want to do it, because when you make a risk-to suck at something new, you are making that choice for yourself. A devotion to lifelong learning, constant improvement, learning and growth.
Truthfully; this probably wont be my last career change, but what I do know is that no matter where I travel vocationally my new and future business skills will travel with me.
