User:GeffreySwithin381
OK, so your New Year's Resolution was to change careers. You were all fired up and ready to go, but somehow it has just not happened. All that determination has fizzled out. And it is all because you are worried that you can't afford it.
Well, that is a natural enough concern, especially with all the talk of the credit crunch, recession and job losses. And the last thing I would suggest in the present climate is that you completely throw caution to the wind and resign tomorrow!
However, money worries are one of the main reasons that would-be career changers get stuck. Money is such a Big Deal for most of us that we find it hard to think rationally about it. But it does not have to be such a barrier if you don't let it.
So how do you get over the Big Money Problem?
You need to tackle your finance issues from two perspectives.
Get practical
There is actually nothing mysterious about money. Commit to taking these practical steps to get a grip financially.
Keep an accurate record of what you spend for a month. Find out where your money really goes. Once you have done this, prioritise what you spend on and drop the things on your -optional' list. Simplify your life. Review what savings you have. Are these intended for a rainy day? Is your current job situation bad enough to be treated as that rainy day? If you have no savings, start now. Get your payroll department to automatically direct a small amount of your salary into a savings account. Explore alternative income streams. Look at ways you can bring in even small amounts of money from other sources. Just type that phrase into Google and see what comes up.
Challenge your beliefs about money
Often it is not the money itself that is the problem, but the underlying beliefs about what money means that hold you back. Here are a few typical beliefs - they may sound familiar.
I can't survive on less money than I have now I need money to make me feel good about myself I am just no good at managing money - never will be Money has to be earned by slogging away at a 9-5 job If I drop my income, I'll never get it back again
Do these ring a bell? Can you see how they might hold you back from making changes?
Your task is to challenge these and any similar beliefs you hold about money. Ask yourself: Where did this belief come from? Is it relevant and helpful for me today? What alternative belief could I adopt?
Just try one of these new beliefs on for a while and see how it frees you up to thinking about new future possibilities.
Moving forward
The best way to deal with your money worries is to stop worrying and do something. It is best if you do a mixture of the practical steps and the belief challenges as these will work at both a head and a hear level.
So which of the ideas listed above will you start on today?