Rule #1 - Phase it Out!!

Instead of quitting your work in a burst of emotion, why not try to gradually depend on it less? Start to look at other options for work that you would enjoy doing or that you had always daydreamed about doing. Don't feel like you are stuck in a rut, because that's just a mental barrier; plan your way out over time. If you currently work for a good company, help them out by quitting in the right way and don't leave them stranded. Explain to them what you need to do for yourself and then proceed.

How to do it

1) To change a full-time career - get some part-time training in your free time, even if it's only a few hours worth. You could even consider taking an online course, but research the credibility of whoever is offering it and, once you decide on it, ignore those who tell you correspondence schools are a waste of time - the goal is to educate yourself first.

You may need to get a degree that you haven't already got and working at one over time is a viable option; it may take longer, but you are in it for the long haul, anyway. Consider working part-time in your desired industry and you'll get first-hand knowledge of what it would be like. Then, if you decide it isn't for you, all you have to do is quit the part time work and start again.

2) To change from a full-time career - I do a lot of asking, listening and reading about different people's careers because that is my main passion - livelihoods. In my experiences, I have heard the terms 'options' and 'fusion', which I realized I had been using for years.

'Options' simply means that, instead of relying on one full-time position, try two or three part-time positions. Time management is the main challenge here, but that can be learned over time and if one option falls through, the others will help you sustain your livelihood. I should mention, however, that you can't get too comfortable because everything could dry up at once, depending on the industries you are in. You've got to stay a few steps ahead of the unknown.

'Fusion' is a way of combining a few things that you do and blending them in a harmonious way. The saying 'jack of all trades, master of none' is dead! Times are changing and useful skills in more than one area are essential in today's fast-paced world. Of course, if things do not all combine effectively, you must drop something that will not 'fuse' with the rest..

One of my options involves digital video and film making, which I love to write, shoot and edit. Of course, I am not interested in working on film sets because I have done that enough times and decided that it wasn't for me - unless I am directing. So, I have fused my talents and desires to form an AV services business on the side (but, I keep it part-time so I don't get sick of it!). With those same skills, I am able to work for others AND create my own informational products or short films without having to shell out big bucks for production and post production services. I have fused together my writing skills, video skills, directing skills and editing skills.

Creating options and fusing them together has kept me going for over ten years now and I wouldn't change it for anything because it's worth too much to me. The only thing I am wary of is too much comfort, which could make everything fall apart - so, I sit in an uncomfortable writing chair.

Phasing things out and starting new things came out of necessity for me a few times, but eventually I began phasing things out that I simply grew disinterested in. My main goal in 1996 was to be a sound mixer for live music and by 1998 I was doing it full time, but that had evolved into working at live events and eventually corporate and other special events (and it is still evolving).

There was a time, after mixing thousands of musical acts, that I needed to phase that out and begin something new, but related, because I still loved being a part of live events. I started poking my nose around in the corporate event industry and gradually got work, made contacts and developed huge opportunities. Time went by and the first thing I did was phase out working on weekends as I had not had free weekends for several years. Again, it took two years to do that, but the change was so gradual, it was virtually painless.

I look back at all these ideas now and realize how many naysayers had told me that something wasn't worth doing or that I could spend my time doing something else or that I could probably 'ask for a raise' at a place I didn't want to be part of anymore. As I sit in my uncomfortable chair, I realize that it is once again time to complete another task - my chair reminds me of that - and keep in mind that any work I have done in the past or will do in the future will be part of my legacy and not simply a moment in time I regret.

Have a prosperous day!

- B. Moore