This was my published advice for the Career Makeover article in the October 23, 2006 Detroit News. I have given these recommendations before but it is worth repeating. These are questions I would ask you if you came to me for coaching with the story, "I don't like my job and want a change." So what is stopping you?

You can go to website, beingatwork.com to see the full Career Makeover story.

What are you afraid of?
Changing career and jobs is scary. How many of us maintain the status quo because what we know is less frightening that what we don’t know? Our fears keep us stuck. One of my favorite quotes is, “Our fears are the dragons that hide our greatest gifts.” What gifts are you hiding because you are afraid and believe you “can’t”?

Why do we stay stuck in the wrong job?
Many individuals believe they cannot achieve their dreams because of what they feel they have to do. They believe they have “no choice”. This becomes an excuse and a self-made trap. You always are at choice. The sooner you realize that what you have to do is really what you have chosen to do, the sooner you reclaim your power and take responsibility for your situation. This includes what you believe about having the
”right stuff” such as an advanced degree or the right contacts or the freedom to make a change. I “have to….” becomes the excuse for not pursuing your dream.

Who will help?
There is a lot of help available but in reality it is up to you. No one is going to come tell you what to do or define you life purpose. No one is going to rescue you from your current job situation. You have to be willing to take the risks necessary to move forward and ask for help. You have to discover what it will take to make a job move and then make plans to move forward. You have to find the people who will support you as you take this important step to realize your dream.