Blogging from the beautiful island of Pulau Redang for my work/holiday, I am reminded of how blessed I am to be able to do what I am doing today.
Just like how a participant asked me earlier this week about switching to a the fitness instructor. How long had I been doing this? How did I get started? Am I enjoying it? Any regrets??
Climbing the corporate ladder
12 years in supply chain chasing after wealth and status, it wasn’t an easy journey to take. In the pursuit of the progress from to higher posts, there were numerous situations to handle, difficult people to deal with. Having to subject my objections to please the boss, needing to turn a blind eye to save my skin, it was tough for me grappling with these unhappy (sometimes to me, unrighteous) demands of a salaried employee.
The hard work was never an issue, Having to juggle navigation to clients’ office while answering operational calls, or waking up in the middle of the night to attend global concalls, work was never so-called 9 to 5.
There were times I had a street directory on my lap, mobile phone connected in a business meeting, laptop switched on at the passenger seat ready for reference. Perfect candidate to be nabbed by the TP according to today’s traffic rules!
Those 3am concalls to match US and Europe time zones were crazy affairs. Setting the alarm to get up at least half an hour to prep (and try to sound awake), there were moments where I had to admit falling asleep while the attendees spoke and updated the group with critical information. Sometimes there wasn’t even a single word that I needed to utter for the entire 1+ hour of logged airtime! Other times, there was no direct relation or need for me to attend. But because I was told to do so, I just had to. And appear fresh and lively at 8am next day in the office.
Truly, I do not resent all these, now thinking back. In fact, I am deeply grateful for the experiences and trainings I have from these years in the corporate. It taught me the essential social/communication skills that I learned and can use today. I was exposed to the dirty world of using politics to get your way, so that when I see it today I am not too shocked nor outraged
Next, could it be YOU?
Increasingly, there are interest expressed by the people who asked about the whole experience, because they too are keen to step out. They either have passions in life which they wish to pursue, or they had been disengaged from their jobs for too long and desire a career switch. There could be chance to wish to be an entrepreneur, set up your own business and be the boss!
However the burning questions remain: How would I survive? Where should I start?
I share 2 key tips on this.
(1) Money: Enough or not?
Get yourself prepared financially. There will be a substantial period of income loss. What you earn subsequently will not match your previous pay, and this could be for a long time. Work out payment plans for loans by instalments. Make sure you’re covered for a rainy day despite the fact that you should not touch your savings as much as possible – yes, it has to be pouring rain and not for a mere light-drizzle type material want!
Even if you have heavy commitments such as family, mortgages, loans, don’t fret. It is still possible to step out with proper planning and if you’re lucky, with support of your spouse or family to do so. I have to reiterate the importance of this so that you can have the peace of mind in finally chasing your dream without stress or fear..
(2) What to expect with the new career
Have a preview of the new job too. Do you have a chance to try with some freelance or adhoc assignments? Can you volunteer for time to experience what it takes to be in that new industry?
It will best of course to be able to do this while enjoying the stable income of the current job. Not everyone may have the luxury of juggling both careers during the transition though. But if you have the true intent to leave the old job, your determination should push you to accept the hard work ahead.
It shouldn’t stop you from finding out more about new career to plan yourself sufficiently. Ask these questions: Is this the best time to enter? Will I be able to cope? Am I prepared for this?
I would recommend to network with the experts in the new field, find out the positives and negatives of the role. It wouldn’t hurt to share your plan honestly in hope you may find good advice or even better, a coach who may lead you in the right way of taking the new path.
Just do it? Nah,
These are 2 essential tips I would give to anyone considering a second career in life. Anybody who tells you to just do it is a bluff. It is a bold step but it doesn’t need to be a foolish leap into the unknown the hard and fast way.
No better time than this to make that change, Get prepared, plan it out. Be prepared though; it may not always be a viable option from your evaluation.
But at least you have made that conclusion with all things considered. And this can be good foundational work to reopen this chapter later on.
Press on.
And be encouraged. You will be judged by everyone around you, especially your closest and dearest. If you have made careful preparations, you should be confident and ready to field all the questions and doubts that will be thrown in your way.
You have the best of possessing work experience, the cross knowledge of another industry (regardless of how unrelated they can be – take my exmaple: fitness vs logistics?), and the financial independence to support your next passion and cause.