Tears, fears and frustrations – it’s a rollercoaster ride

By laurajanewrites

This whole career shifting malarkey is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.  The excited elation of even the most minor steps forward, deeply contrast with the frustrated impatience you feel when things aren't moving quite as quickly and successfully as you want. Then the fear sets in - will I ever emerge with my dream job at the end?  What will I do if it never happens for me?

Making the decision to change careers and then realising what your dream job is are two massive steps.  I've had those eureka moments.  The only problem is that when you make the decision and state your dream, everything you dislike about your current job is magnified.  Things that you mildly disliked about your current job previously now evoke irrational hatred.  Every extra minute I have to spend at my desk after 5:30 I deeply resent, as it is one minute they are stealing from my career shift efforts. 

As a fairly emotional and impulsive person after a bad week of work, I've been very close to throwing caution to the wind, resigning and putting all my time and effort into developing my freelance writing career.  And maybe I should.  But more sensible contemplation (when the anger and frustration has subsided) always brings me back down to earth and I find myself carrying on. 

OK, so this sounds all doom and gloom.  But it's not.  I can't give up my job but what I can do is "one small thing every day".  This might be to write an article, sign up to a new website, do some research or even write a shift log.  These little things all help to keep me moving forward rather than focusing on the stumbling blocks (lack of time, financial responsibilities, disillusionment with current job etc).

As a result, I'm writing more and more and trying to find ways to publish even the simple things.  On the Career Shifters site I picked up a link to www.triond.com and have started to submit a few articles there.  One appeared this week on www.sportales.com.  Small steps but they keeping me moving forward. 

I suppose the point of this shift log is to say career shifting is frustrating, there are ups and downs but offsetting the frustrations with small steps is helping to make sure I end the day with a smile on my face.

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Cath Rooney

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Claire Coveney

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