Starting Over: How to Establish a Strong Foundation for a New Career

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Starting Over: How to Establish a Strong Foundation for a New Career [GUEST BLOG POST]

If you’ve recently lost your job, you may be panicking about paying bills or finding your next position. But it is important to remember that you are starting a new chapter in life. Therefore, you want to make sure you have established a strong foundation before jumping into the next stage.

As someone who dramatically changed trajectory later in life, I know that the prospect of starting a new career may be scary, but laying the groundwork will help ensure that your next step is more successful than the last. For a positive new career path, try the following techniques.

Think it Out

Only by reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) in the past, can you choose a new career path. Take some time to consider what you enjoyed and what you disliked about your old job. From there, you can decide what features are necessary for you to find success in a new career. You can also figure out what field your particular set of skills best applies to.

Reach Out

Stephen King once said, “Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.” When you are rewriting a chapter in your own life, make sure that you are open to advice from others. Friends, family members, colleagues, and even strangers can be

great resources when it comes to starting a new career. Draw from these peoples’ experiences while you are deciding on your future path. Furthermore, these individuals may present you with job opportunities or openings that they are aware of. So, spread the word about your search for a fulfilling new career.

Try it Out

If a particular career path speaks to you, try it out before you jump in. Get connected with a temp agency that can place you in your field of choice for a short period of time. Not only will this help you pay those looming bills, it will also help you gain experience and decide if you enjoy that field. If you find it is the path you’d like to take, you may even land a permanent job at that company. You can also try freelance work, especially if you think you’d like to start your own business. This is a relatively risk-free way to try a new career without a serious time or financial commitment.

When starting a career in the addiction recovery industry, I used these techniques to build my business. I used my sales skills to obtain funding; I reached out to current experts in the industry; and I had already tried out the field via first hand experience. I was therefore able to begin my new career, which has turned into a successful and thriving business.

 Per Wickstrom is the founder and CEO of Best Drug Rehabilitation, one of the top holistic rehabilitation centers in the country. He found sobriety after a decades-long struggle with addiction and has since dedicated his life and career to helping others find the same life-affirming success he has. His program is based on natural and holistic methods and has helped lead hundreds to recovery. Connect with Per via Twitter or LinkedIn.


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