You have probably heard the term ‘Career Transition’, but what does this really mean?

We all know someone who feels that they are travelling the wrong path career wise or wants a change. That person may be yourself, a loved one, a colleague or perhaps a member of your team.

Is it:

• Transitioning to a completely new career or new sector;
• Transitioning into a leadership position;
• Transitioning to a new geography or territory;
• Transitioning following redundancy;
• Transitioning back into employment following an extended period of leave for family, health or study reasons; or
• Transitioning to retirement

Truthfully, it can be any of those, and in reality, we all need to be prepared for regular transitioning, at times this may be more dramatic than others. Transition requires active attention to changing the ‘working identity’ and this requires active focus on adjusting each aspect, which can take time to work through.

Are you considering a career transition? Evaluate your current state of readiness or urgency in making a transition. Here are three scenarios to help you decide if the time is right for you.

1. Short-term dissatisfaction or ennui: A project you’re working on has stalled, you are out of sync with your manager, or stressors outside of work are leading to frustration at the office. If this is your situation, it might not be time for a career transition. However, it could be a great time to evaluate your career goals relative to your current role and responsibilities, and possibly re-engage your strengths to push through the current environment.

2. An extended sense of "stuck-i-ness": Management changes have led to a deterioration of your work, you are no longer involved in critical conversations, or you routinely find yourself wanting more satisfaction from your work. It might be time to consider a career transition, either internally or externally.

3. Clear evidence of stalled progression: You’ve been passed over for a promotion — more than once — and you can’t get actionable feedback about your work, or burnout has been your mode of work for a while. It’s time to make a change.

Making a career transition can be profoundly rewarding and a bit scary at the same time. Set yourself up for a successful transition by knowing the areas where you excel in the workplace and the areas where you want to grow professionally. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own either. It’s a time when you may doubt yourself and your vision, and when those around you may offer “practical” advice like “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” (You will find some of the people in your life prefer you not to change. That’s why you support yourself by finding people who understand and can share your new adventure.)

I at some point of time was in a job where further advancement is not very feasible.

So, what did I do?

I decided to take a Leap

The third career transition that Acuff cites is “the jump,” where you voluntarily leap to a new career, location, or responsibility. He notes that this type of transition requires strong character because you’re leaping into the unknown, which necessitates reliance on the foundational definition of who you are as well as your core values.

Some transitions you’ll orchestrate while some will be orchestrated at the hands of others. Regardless, if you couple relationships with guts, skills with foresight, character with mutual trust, and mix in aggressive hustle with kick-ass time management—nothing will stop you.