Breaking Old Habits to Further your Career

Like most other creatures, human beings live their lives through habits and rituals. Even if a particular habit is not in the least bit beneficial we continue to act on it for the fear of breaking routine. Smokers in particular will be familiar with this habitual nature of ours, as a vast majority will light up in certain situations (when having a coffee, or a chat on the phone) without even questioning if they really need it or having made the conscious decision to do so. It’s just a force of habit. Not all habits are necessarily harmful or unpleasant, but for those that are we humans have a range of excuses why not to alter them. For example, there are a huge amount of people who are dissatisfied with their current employment status, but will not break the habit of leaving for fear they cannot afford to pay their mortgage. This is a fair argument, and reasonable excuse to cling to the habit.rnHowever, there are also a number of people in that bracket that will not leave their current job, despite being unhappy, because they just don’t want to break the habit. Even though they know they are capable of better, they are too comfortable in their existing situation to make the break and change that habit.rnIf this sounds like you then you need to sit back and take a rain check. If you are working in a job you are not entirely happy with, do you not owe it to yourself, your family and your employer to move on and find a job that’s right for you?rnThe first thing that has to change is you, and you must recognise that change is necessary. Then you must consider what you would find more fulfilling as a career path, perhaps you are more creative than your current job allows for, or more nature orientated. Once you have a clear vision of what you want in mind, you can start taking steps towards obtaining a career that’s right for you.rnA new job won’t come looking for you, it’s up to you to shop around and apply for positions you consider suitable. If you are completely moving industry there may be things you need to know, perhaps night classes or training will be required. If it's your own business you dream of, you may have to start from your home, working through the night and weekends to move closer to doing it full-time and leaving your old job. It’s very easy to get caught up in the routine of day-to-day life, particularly if you have a family to take care of, but it’s wrong to continue with a lifestyle or career just because it is familiar. Change invokes fear and insecurity in people so they tend to steer clear and stick with what they know. Those who have made the decision to change old habits and taken the risk will confirm that it really is a life changing decision. Life is not pausing for you while you are putting up with something that you’re unhappy with. Life is passing you by while you waste it doing the wrong thing. There's no rewind button, there's only now, and if you're not happy with your situation, break the habit and change it!