Are you in the job of your dreams, or are financial constraints and planning stopping you make that all-important move into your true vocation, asks Liz Frost
What’s the second or third question you’re asked when you meet somebody new? That’s right, be it acquaintance, new work colleague, potential friend or even a date, within five minutes they’ll have inevitably rolled out the “What do you do?” question, thus pinning a tiny invisible label neatly to your lapel.
Some people are lucky enough to choose the ‘right’ role from day one and are now venturing down the more leafy part of their career path earning a good wage and enjoying what they do, whereas others aren’t so happy with their chosen vocation, but just simply can’t financially afford to start again. In other words, they’ve been caught by the Money Trap.
However much we dust off the old saying “Work to live, not live to work”, what we do for a living is no longer just something we use to occupy the hours between 9 and 5, but to a certain extent something through which we judge our own self-worth. So what are we to do?
According to life coach, Nigel Gresswell, 60% of the people that go to him for help have issues to do with job dissatisfaction. “Often somebody comes to see me feeling depressed or unfulfilled with their life,” says Nigel, “and then through discussion, we find that the route of their problem lies with the fact that they don’t feel fulfilled with their profession. This is the sort of problem that can sometimes lie beneath the surface and masquerade as relationship or health problems before revealing itself.”
But why do we seem to be more dissatisfied with our jobs now than we were in the past? “There’s without a doubt a theme of greater opportunity and people are encouraged to achieve,” says Nigel. “With more women successful at work in this generation, there is less focus on the term ‘Breadwinner’ and less of a ‘Job-for-life’ attitude.
People have more aspiration and ability to follow their dreams because there has been a general increase in affluence. It’s no longer a case of working to survive, so people’s priorities have changed. There is more opportunity to be had and more in the way of personal development (go into any bookshop and you’ll see the array of ‘self help’ books encouraging personal growth). These days Money and Success don’t necessarily go hand in hand.”
Not only is Nigel a professional life coach, he understands a lot about job dissatisfaction on a personal level, because he experienced it himself. Before becoming a life coach, Nigel spent years feeling unfulfilled as a financial manager. “I knew there was something wrong with my life, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was” he says “then one morning I woke up and thought ‘this is not what I’m meant to be!’ and much to the surprise of my wife, left my job that day.”
Although Nigel’s drastic course of action worked out for the best, the advice he gives to his clients on gaining their own personal success and fulfilment is much more focussed.
“Although your heart may not be in it, try to keep your job for as long as you can and develop your new plan on the side. The more money you have behind you when you embark on your new challenge, the more likely you are to succeed.” In a ‘do as a say rather than do what I do’ moment, Nigel urges “Don’t rush blindly into leaving your job without a plan about what you will do next.”
‘But what if I don’t know what my plan is?’ I hear you cry. “Slow down and take a step back,” says Nigel. “It could be that it’s just your definition of success that needs looking at. We live in a very manic society in which depression is greater than it ever has been. Success means different things to different people, so it’s about re-clarifying your values in life. Look at other areas of life, including relationships, hobbies, leisure, fun and passion. Some people chase after success and get the loose end of happiness at the end. There’s no point in just being successful for the sake of it.”
So with that in mind, how do we begin to formulate a plan? “Change doesn’t necessarily happen overnight,” Nigel warns “Things have to be broken down into manageable steps. For example, your first step might be to attend an evening course in something you enjoy, or to do some research into a profession that particularly interests you. Of course, everyone’s strategy will be totally different but it’s important to take that first step with your own personal situation in mind.”
Sarah, a 26 year-old PA has been desperate to change direction for a long time but hasn’t been able to do so financially. “I keep dreaming about leaving my job, but everything else I’d like to do pays too little money. I’m not happy in my work anymore but it seems financially unviable for me to leave it to pursue other avenues at this stage.”
Financial advisor Steven Howarth says: “Look carefully at why you can’t afford it and more importantly can you afford to make the jump? It’s not something to rush into without looking at your financial commitments. To use another saying, ‘To fail to plan, is to plan to fail’. That is not to say that, with financial commitments, it is not possible, but ignore them at your peril!”
However, all is not lost, looking at your financial agreements carefully is key, there may be penalties but nowadays financial agreements can be flexible with the ability to underpay as well as overpay. Looking at your day to day expenditure very closely can save money, look at your bank account – are there some direct debits or standing orders maybe they are so old you do not know what they are? Where can you cut back? Be ruthless.”
Christie, a marketing assistant in a corporate law firm has always wanted to break into the advertising industry, but is worried it may be too difficult. “I want to change career direction” says Christie, “but I don’t want to have to turn my whole life upside down in the process.”
“With careful planning it may not be easy but it is certainly possible says Steve, not much in life is easy and you are looking at a ‘new beginning’! Short term, your lifestyle is likely to change, money is likely to be short so you have two choices – supplement your income or reduce your outgoings, ideally both.”
But Steve has a word of warning against possible pitfalls, “You should seek professional advice, don’t hide things from your lender whoever that might be. Always open statements and always ensure that payments are made on time. The penalties for late payments whether it be to mortgage loan or credit card are not cheap.”
So can you really have it all? Yes, but you need to go in with your eyes open, it needs a great deal of thought. Check out your work life balance. Say no when you need to. Sacrifice small parts of some areas of your life in order to accommodate it all. Be prepared. Live intelligently. And most importantly of all, only you can define your own level of success, so make sure it’s your dreams you’re chasing after, not other peoples’ version of what success is.
With special thanks to Nigel Gresswell, Life Coach and Steve Howarth, Financial Advisor, Moneytree Financial Management.
Liz Frost is a freelance writer specialising in features for women's magazines. She writes for Company, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Zest, B and Bliss. Email her at liz_frost@yahoo.co.uk, even if it's just to say hello!
