Safety and security vs. taking a risk to follow your heart's calling

ShiftDoctor answer

By Jessica McGrego... on 2 September 2007 at 14:30

It seems to me that this is about the compromise between safety and security or taking a risk to follow your heart's calling. Always a tricky decision at the best of times. There are no guarantees in life and in truth it can all get a bit boring if there is. Look at your situation, very safe but not very interesting.

I think you need to have a sit down and ask yourself how much do I want to live life to the full? What am I prepared to risk to ensure that I am motivated and interested in what I do? Sometimes it is a case of accepting the risk and following your heart and not your head. Ask anyone who has opted for self-employment over the boring job they hated. Yes it is risky, yes, they are never sure where the next client will come from, but they are doing the work they love and that, to some people, can be worth more than any secure rolling contract.

You might be lucky to find a stimulating, secure position using the skills you like to use. First step is giving yourself permission to believe it is possible. After all someone has to fill those 3 contracts a year, why not you? If you don't allow in this possibility then however hard you search it will be illusive. I have seen many people go against the odds through sheer determination and win through and find what they want even when everyone around them was saying it was impossible. First however; they believed in the dream. If you want to go for it your first step is to write out a resume focused only on those skills alone (check out http://www.prospects.ac.uk/ and search for ‘styles of CV' for a good example.). Make yourself as attractive as possible to any prospective employer. Illustrate your passion for this kind of work. Send it out to as many places you can think of. You don't have to wait till a position is advertised, the trick is to already be on the desk of the recruiter before the position becomes available and then be in regular contact so that your name will come to mind when your skills and passion is needed.

However in the academic field you do have the opportunity to do the kind of work you love. Maybe you could reconsider how you view this field, don't give it up too easily. Yes it may feel risky but are you going to let a ‘what might happen" in three years stop you even trying it out? How about thinking about it as a trial three years? If you don't like it then you can always go back into clinical trials work, you broke into it once why would you not be able to do it again? If you want to make it a bit more safe look at a saving plan that would give you some leeway with your finances. Build up some money now, add to it during the three years and have that safety blanket just in case.

My experience is that when people are following their passions, when they do what makes they feel fulfilled and happy that passion and excitement shines like a blinding light. They become in demand for what they do. Who knows you may have people queuing up to offer you the second, third and fourth contract.

Jessica offers a free introductory session to discuss how she can help you make the move you want; if you would like to arrange a time for her to call you please email her at jessica@jessicamcgregorjohnson.com or call +34 958 639 593. For more information visit http://www.jessicamcgregorjohnson.com/

She lives in southern Spain and works internationally as a Life Coach enabling people to follow their dream and gain fulfilment in every area of life. She has worked with many career shifters and particularly enjoys using her own life experience, including her time in the corporate world, to support those making whatever move they choose.