Most people wait for their careers to improve on their own, someday, without input or effort. If any change will do, then feel free to wait, because change will come whether you are driving it or not. But, you cannot expect to be happy with change unless you help to shape it.

Your career will not get better until you make it better. And, it requires your participation.

Sometimes change is necessary. It doesn't have to be a big overwhelming project. It can be manageable as long as you break it into small achievable steps.

Many people wait until they can no longer tolerate a situation before they decide to tackle it. By that time, their situation is so challenging, draining, and frustrating that they are desperate. Do not wait until you are desperate to begin your change because desperation will cloud your judgment.

If aspects of your career do not seem right, address them now. Make a plan and start on it right away. This is your best defense; being pro-active instead of reactive.

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

II. TOP WAYS TO MAKE CHANGE IN YOUR CAREER

The corporate world has been a difficult place. Those of you who were laid off have it tough because you may be still searching for work, or you have taken jobs beneath your salary requirements or level of knowledge and expertise.

But, how about those of you who are still working? Many of you have said good-bye to your colleagues and friends at work, sometimes with only a few moments notice. You have had to do your job and theirs. For less money with fewer resources. You are burnt out, tired, and overwhelmed. Maybe your next move is to do something different. Maybe you have had it with the long hours and the way you have seen yourself and others treated. Now, I am not saying everybody should quit your job and change careers just because you have had a bad day at work. I am saying that if you want to, here are some great tips to make it happen.

1. If you are having ANY inklings or intuition or feelings about wanting a change, don't ignore them and hope they'll go away. Embrace them and be curious.

You can start to explore your desire for change in a number of ways without letting things brew to the point where you feel your only option is to walk in tomorrow and quit your job or shut down your business. The key is not to put your head in the sand out of fear of change, but to take action, in small steps if necessary.

2. See if a small change with your current job does the trick, even if it feels uncomfortable to set new boundaries.

It may be that your current field and occupation ARE perfect for you, but the particulars of the current setting are not. Try making a list of all the things that you are tolerating with your current work situation. What can you take action on now? What have you been afraid to talk about or bring up with a supervisor? What are your worst fears? What would happen if those fears came true? Oftentimes, changing one or two things about the current situation, including our mindset, can help a lot. For example, what if you just said "no"? Try perfecting your current situation first - and be bold with your experimentation here.

3. If tweaking your current situation doesn't help, realize that career change is a process and not an event. Transforming what you do will not happen overnight, so get going!

You may need to store up financial resources, get retrained, network with new groups of people, spend time investigating new options. Lots of things to do - so start today!

4. Explore what it is that you now need and want, before you make any change.

We all have very busy lives, and yet this process of self-exploration is absolutely necessary. Map out a plan for starting this, including how you will figure out what's NOW important to you. Don't limit yourself at this stage. Visit the web or your library for a list of resources on career assessment. Start with a broad list of potential new avenues - and if it feels overwhelming, just choose a few to focus on first. Don't engage in A to Z thinking. For example, 'This choice might require X, therefore Y.' Find out the facts first, before you begin to cross things off your list. Get clear on what you think you're interested in first, before you go out to the marketplace. The clearer you are, the easier it will be for people to help you.

5. As your vision becomes clear, begin talking to people who are doing things you might be interested in - and when you connect with the right person, keep in touch!

Introspection is great, but real-life confirmation is even better. And information gathering is not a commitment to a new path. It's just information. You can get it from networking events, alumni associations, industry guides and gatherings, relevant publications, the phone book. You can take classes or volunteer. Test your theories out on real, live people!

6. Prepare yourself to make an investment in a new future - both emotionally and financially.

Career change is a process of self-questioning, which requires an investment of time and energy. Leaving your current career entirely and doing something else WILL require an investment - either in retraining, additional schooling, perhaps taking a lower paying job or volunteering to get your foot through a new door. Even if you are taking time off, you are making an investment. Make sure you are educated about the cost of your choices and prepared to foot the bill. The more financial resources you have in place, the more comfortable you will feel through the transition.

7. Surround yourself with support mechanisms.

Seek out supportive friends and family, a coach, trade associations of like-minded people, online communities, and real-live people engaged in what it is you think you want to be doing. See how it feels to connect with these new people. What do you have in common with them? Does it encourage you? Or does it make you wonder about your choice? Go through this part of the process several times. Once you're committed to your path, disengage from any naysayers in your life, if only temporarily.

8. Embrace uncertainty as much as you can.

Remember that you're in a transition, which starts with feelings of loss and disengagement from your past, a middle period of great creativity AND uncertainty, and a new beginning, where your path becomes more clear.

9. Realize that career change represents personal growth, not career failure.

Career change is more and more prevalent. Realize that you're moving to a new way of contributing to the world that reflects the best part of who you are and can be. Your being unhappy and dissatisfied at work is not benefiting anyone, so if it's time for a change, make one!

10. It's ok to make a leap of faith.

If you have done as much homework as you can, at some point career change may require you to make a leap of faith. You'll know when you get there!

About the Author: This piece was written by Anne M. Wilkins, MBA, Executive Coach, who can be reached at http://www.evergreencoaching.com

III. COACHES CORNER

Since many of my newsletter subscribers are coaches, this section is for you. It contains tips and techniques to take your coaching practice to the next level.

TOP THINGS YOU CAN CHANGE IF YOU ARE IN A COACHING SLUMP