Career Shifting = A long term process of discovery

Hello all,

It's been a while since I last posted, + a lot (non-career related) has happened - family illnesses. But they are almost fully recovered, so i'm back on the career change train. 

I read a lot of books over easter and one of the best books was 'What Should I Do With My Life' by Po Bronson (it's in the book reccommendation list on the Careershifters site),  which arrived at just the right time.

Over Easter i had convinced myself that working in a theatre would be a good idea. Figured i'd meet directors, actors, potential contacts - perks of a part time job to get me by for a while. I was offered work at a good London theatre and went to be talked through my potential job. To cut a long story short it wasn't for me, and while I was there, I realised i'd been conning myself. What the heck was i doing - i've seen about six plays in all my life, two of which were school trips, and one of which i actually enjoyed. I enjoy reading plays more than watching them. There must be a clue there.

I had a bit of a silly crisis on the bus ride home. The next day nothing but a gut compulsion led me to charge down to my local charity shop to look at books. Po's book was the first I found. I whizzed through it in a weekend.

The book helped me get perspective. For some people, career changing and finding their vocation or 'place' in the world can happen relatively quickly, maybe in less than a year. But for others it can take years. And it's not through a lack of courage or willpower. It's to do with clarity and exploration, learning from hard experience, trial and error. I feel i'm going to be one of those people. And the only way to get 'there' is to move forward, make mistakes, learn from them and enjoy the ride.

This may be no help to you. I'm sure some of you know what you want to do, or are looking for a good job rather than this vocation melarky. But for those who aren't sure what they want, or want to discover some kind of 'vocation', i really recommend the book. And to not give up. And keep looking and learning.

The art website i set up (thewolfgang.etsy.com) has a record zero sales, but quite a few compliments. I don't mind so much, if i'm honest i haven't pushed it as much as i could. It was exciting to set up but then... just PR and selling.  another lesson here. perhaps i'm not passionate enough about the product to push it further? books, maybe...

Goodness fellow career shifters, what's left to say? Do i sound any closer to making a clear career change? My destination can't be summed up in a job title just yet. But i know who i am, what i'm not, and when i'm faking it (theatre?!) 

It some ways it feels like being at the beginning again. But this time, not bogged down with how things 'should' be, or muddled about who i am. Not clouded by what's come before, not in the shadow of what may come in the future. It has taken me a good while to get to this point of... well, psychological purity? hmmm, ok maybe not, more like that saying 'let the field lie bare before the first seeds are sown'

Bizarrely, i'm getting interested in literacy teaching for adults and young people. I can't imagine life without words and books, a lot of people are missing out. first seed to plant?

Being a long-term shifter, i'll write again later in the year with an update. I'll try and keep it shorter next time!

Best of luck to everyone, keep messaging and blogging on the site, i love reading how people are making their own shifts.

Sab x