Fall for change — Part I

Fall for change — Part I

In just a few weeks, it will be the first day of fall. It’s a time of change in weather and an eventual transition to a new season. While season changes will always happen, how do you know if it’s time for you to a change in your life professionally and/or personally? Both are broad topics, so let’s start with focusing on professional changes. Part II will be all about personal changes.

There are many signs that you may or not recognize at first. It could be that vague, nagging feeling. It’s not specific and it’s something you can easily dismiss to the back of your mind. Over time, however, other signs are likely to make themselves known to you as they come to the forefront of your mind.

Barring any physical ailments, one could be that you’re feeling apathetic. You don’t feel any enthusiasm or interest in what you’re doing. Another sign is called the Sunday Night Blues. It’s that increased feeling of dread because the weekend in nearly over and you have to go back to work the next day. Maybe you’ve lost motivation. That may mean you need to change your routine. Maybe you have that feeling of not being challenged and you’ve become too comfortable as a result.

HOFMANN

Why do we sometimes put off much needed change?

As humans, we naturally gravitate to what is comfortable for us, the status quo. The very essence of change often goes against that feeling of comfort. Changing requires conscious effort and time. For those of us who may be a little short on the patience scale, that’s difficult. Mahatma Gandi expressed this best: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Making changes is also scary because the benefits may not be immediately clear.

For example, you want to pursue your dream career in counseling, as one example of many available careers. You may be noticing signs of why that particular profession may be for you. For example, perhaps family and friends have often told you that you’re a great listener and sounding board. Your current job is in an unrelated field. It could be in the area of counseling, but you’re in an administrative role. Often you might wonder how you can get to the point where you’re directly helping others? In this instance, that means education. So you need to go back to school. As an adult with multiple responsibilities, including supporting a family, that can be hard to imagine. This is where you have to make an investment in yourself. For those who continually hesitate to make that step, ask yourself, where will I be in a year if I take this step, and if I don’t take this step?

 

Whatever the career decision you make, it’s likely that change will be a part of it. Think about the potential benefits. You could make a bigger impact. You could have more opportunities to grow professionally and financially. Most important of all, it can bring you real personal satisfaction.

Knowing that change is uncomfortable is very realistic, yet also focus on the rewards of doing so. Imagine how it will feel on the day you look back and are proud and happy that you made the effort. ¦

— Dr. Thomas Hofmann is the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program director at Hodges University. He is a Florida approved supervisor for mental health, family therapy, and social work registered interns and a licensed social work and marriage and family therapist.