Guest Post by Susan Day: Changing Careers

How can changing careers shape us into being better people?

​For those baby boomers who grew up in the 50s and 60s it was expected that you would get a job and stay with the same company for your life. Many things have changed that notion now, not least of all financial crises, and the inability of some businesses to remain viable.
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In truth, many people today are forced to change jobs, moving between companies, but most still remain in the same field.

If you are a sole-entrepreneur or working for yourself you’ll understand the importance of being flexible. You have to not only create the product or provide the service you are passionate about, but you have to set budgets, do your own marketing and more. Being adaptable and flexible is an important part of running a business.
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Changing careers completely​

​What about those people who not only change their company they work for, but completely change careers. What’s going on? Some people are able to do a wide variety of things very well. They can dance, sing and act in whatever field they choose.
These people are often criticized by others who don’t understand their need to act on their curiosity or creative whims. Sometimes they are called Scanners or Renaissance souls. They seem to jump for one job to another which is completely unrelated.
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But why should what we do for a living restrict us? Why can’t someone take their skills as an author and write a film script. Why can’t they take their knowledge and experience of teaching disabled youth and apply those to dog training?
Are the skills they are transferring so different after all?
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A lesson from history

Leonardo da Vinci understood how significant it was to transfer one’s skills. He was a genius whose paintings have become valuable treasures. He could write backwards; he could write fluently with his right and left hand; he investigated the idea of flight and wondered how the energy from water could be used. He also invented machinery and weapons of war to overcome impenetrable fortresses.
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If we can learn anything from Leonardo da Vinci it is the ability of an intelligent mind to investigate and apply skills and knowledge learned in other areas to learn new ones.

Celebrating curiosity and courage

Many people who change professions are not flaky nor do they lack concentration or the ability to apply themselves. They have an ultra-curious mind, and great courage. They are not afraid to take a leap of faith and delve into the unknown. And, if things don’t work out they know that they have the skills and the mindset to find a more suitable path.
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If you know someone in your family who changes jobs or hobbies then celebrate the individual’s diversity. Encourage them to fashion a lifestyle out of the fragmented skills and experiences into a rich tapestry. If you are one of these people, don’t stop. Be brave and believe in yourself. You only get one shot at this life so make the most of it and embrace each day and whatever it has to offer.

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About the author - Susan Day

Susan Day

Susan Day is a children’s author and writer. Her blog, Astro’s Adventures Book Club, is full of ideas and tips for grandparents who want to build a strong relationship with their grandchildren. In particular, Susan specializes in helping grandparents share their love of books with their grandchildren. Susan is currently writing a book titled, The Top 10 Things Happy Grandparents Never Regret Doing!
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Susan lives in country Australia with four dogs, three boss cats, three rescue guinea pigs, and an errant kangaroo. And, apart from blogging, writing and reading; she loves drinking coffee, painting and learning to box.