Changing Jobs and Motivation: How To Keep Inspired During Career Shifts

A change in your career can bring about a shift in emotions.  It could be exciting or scary, unexpected or planned.  If you aren't prepared and don't know what to expect, a career change can even disrupt your personal goals.  But as things evolve in your professional life, how do you keep motivated?  Here are ways you can keep focused on your job and still find sufficient motivation to handle a career shift.

Know what is expected of you.

A career shift can sometimes mean a change in career direction.  What is your new job all about?  How did it happen?  Was it because of a promotion or a move?  What kind of things have you done to arrive at your current level?  Furthermore, with your new responsibilities, what kind of performance is expected from you?  It will be easier to remain motivated if you know exactly what it is you're supposed to do. 

Set new goals.

Don't be afraid to make a few changes in your goals.  Certain changes in your career sometimes call for a reassessment of your objectives.  Identify the things that you need to achieve with this career shift to understand how to keep your motivation.  You might be surprised at how outdated some of your goals are.  With a career shift, you will have an opportunity to keep them fresh and exciting – another great reason to remain motivated.

Once you have these new set of goals, you'll have a clearer picture of your direction.  You will also see that there are new experiences to be had.  As you achieve each of these new goals one by one, you'll find even more satisfaction in your new career.

Learn from your past experience.

Your past work would already have trained you on how to handle the demands of your new job.  Try to compare your past job with the current one.  You can easily keep your motivation regarding your career shift once you realize that your new job is offering you a different set of experiences.  Perhaps you will be working with a new team or handling tasks you've never tried before or will be allowed to try things reserved only for a specific level of management.  Just imagine the kind of possibilities that have opened up for you.

Be grateful for the new learning.

One thing that will get you motivated about career shifts is that they help enhance your knowledge and skill base.  A change in career direction is a surefire way to get out of a boring job or one that seems to be going nowhere.  Keep your motivation and learn as much as you can.  Take advantage of the new opportunity being given you.

Look at it from the point of view of a new learner.  In fact, most career shifts will probably require you to take on new training – something that could benefit your new resume and for expanding your network of contacts.

Consider your career shift as a step towards improving yourself and your career.

A career shift can keep your motivation going for the simple reason that it is an opportunity to advance in your career.  A shift in your job means you aren't stuck in static phase and that there is actually a chance for you to move forward – perhaps in the same field or perhaps in a totally different direction.

The important thing is you keep moving and learning as you go.