The “Right Time” To Make A Career Change

There is a concept that everyone uses when they talk about making major changes in their lives (especially career changes), and it’s called the “Right Time.”

depressed sad lawyer

There is a concept that everyone uses when they talk about making major changes in their lives (especially career changes), and it’s called the “Right Time.”  It’s an elusive, fuzzy concept, and it changes from person to person, day to day. Sometimes, the Right Time depends on how much money is in the bank or how many students loans are still outstanding. Other times, the Right Time depends on waiting to see whether your boss gives you the recognition or promotion or pay increase or bonus that you deserve. And still other times, the Right Time hinges on what your spouse or partner has to say about the matter.

These are all valid reasons to hold off on making a major change. But ask yourself this: am I using these other, external, completely logical and valid reasons as mere excuses?  In other words, am I relying on these other things to avoid making the change out of fear?

Lawyers aren’t supposed to be afraid of anything. We are tough, independent, successful, driven individuals who are paid to fight, negotiate, and win for a living. But that doesn’t mean that fear doesn’t pervade our daily lives: fear of not being praised or valued at work, fear of getting the answer “wrong” for the client (especially when it means a lot of money or significantly impacts a person’s life), fear of financial insecurity and instability, fear of losing yourself so much in your work that you miss out on life, etc.

Fear of change is also a really big one. We as humans (not just lawyers) tend to fear change because it is an unpredictable thing that puts us into a scary place called “the unknown.” And even when we’re miserable in our known predicament, sometimes it’s easier to stay where we are than it is to take the risk that the unknown will be worse.

Whether you’re holding on to the concept of the Right Time from a place of fear, a place of logic, or both, here are some topics to help you explore when it’s the Right Time for you to make a career change:

  1. When I Have My Finances in Order. Although I’m a much more “free spirit” than most attorneys (because I’ve run off to work for myself as a circus performer yoga teacher and coach), I’ve always made sure I had my financial “ducks in a row” before making any big career changes. The Right Time for you might involve reduced loan payments, a certain milestone in your savings account, reduced living expenses, or a new job that pays you just as well (if not better) than your current one. But the Right Time needn’t be the “perfect time” financially–do yourself a favor and make the financial goal an attainable one.

  2. When My Spouse/Partner/Family Supports Me. The Right Time may hinge on people and relationships other than yourself. This one is trickier because sometimes, your spouse, your romantic partner, and/or your family may think that your career change is a terrible idea. They may flat-out tell you not to make the change. If this is the case, and you aren’t able to come to a compromise, don’t just blame the other person and say you can’t do it because so-and-so doesn’t support you. Check in and see whether they have valid reasons for not supporting your change (they might be right), or whether you wholeheartedly believe with all of your being that they are incorrect (they might be wrong). And then do what you need to move forward, both in your career and your relationship. No one can know the best career move for you except you, and no one can know what is best for your relationship other than you, but maybe a therapist, a mediator, or a coach could help you find a clear way ahead.

  3. When I Find a New Job.  Finding a new job before quitting your current one is a Right Time that most financially responsible people seek before giving their notice, and rightfully so. But notice that this Right Time also requires finding another “right”–the new job, which means the timing and the new job are both dependent on some idea that you have of “right.” In the spiritual world, there is a concept that there are no wrong choices because everything is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and connect deeper with yourself/God/the Universe. While this may seem like spiritual mumbo-jumbo and terrible career advice to you, there’s also some wisdom in it. If you’re waiting for the Perfect Job to waltz into your life, you might be waiting a very long time. But if you find something that is a good fit (you like the work, you like the people, you like the money, and you think you’ll have a good or better work-life-balance), but it’s not a “perfect” fit, don’t let this one slip away.

  4. When I Win the Lottery.  This is never a Right Time, folks: this is a fantasy and a stalling technique. Although if you win the lottery, you can certainly storm into your boss’s office and tell him/her all of the things you’ve been muttering under your breath for years, it’s never going to happen (unless you’re the lucky one person out of 292 million that wins the Powerball).

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The moral of the story is: if you’re waiting for the Right Time, make sure you’re waiting for the Right Reasons. Make any goals you have around the Right Time clear, actionable, and sustainable. Check in with your goals every 3-6 months to see if you’re being realistic or if you’re just “kicking the can down the road,” as they say.  And finally, ask for help if you need it.

Megan Grandinetti is an attorney, a wellness and life coach, and a yoga teacher. If you’d like to learn more about Megan, visit www.thelawyershealthcoach.com or email her to set up a free 30-minute coaching consultation (megan.grandinetti@gmail.com).

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