If you’ve followed me on social media or my blog, you know by now that I’m a total advocate for self-reflection in life—especially during Choice Points and transitions. My desire is for you to achieve you goals and dreams. Meaning you must soul search to uncover what those desires are. With help if needed.

The next step is assessing your personal foundation—that’s family, friends, home, interests, and anything else that makes you feel safe, secure, vibrant and alive.

It’s impossible to be creative or to explore new ideas, new options when you are feeling anxious or afraid. If perchance unhappiness in your work-life is happening, chances are there’s fear, anxiety, self-judgment or blame, maybe anger or lack of confidence. So you really need to know who and what are on your team and supporting you to figure this next life step out.

And, your finances are a part of that security and foundation.

To some of you knowing your finances is a no-brainer and it’s all at your finger tips. But you’d be surprised (or maybe not!) at the huge numbers of people who tell me they don’t think about it (head-in-sand) or they leave it to a mate or expect parents to simply bail them out or fund them as needed. My years of experience partnering with people to help them achieve their dreams consistently comes back to finances being bedrock if you are going to  make any career development plan, career change, or career transition.

Your Financial Short To-Do List

So here’s a short list to help you explore your next work-life adventure with financial awareness.

_____Look at your finances. Create a real budget or get help creating one. If you are going to develop a new venture, career path or business, making and managing money is important. You may have these skills; If not this is a good way to begin developing them.

_____ How much money do you have? How much money do you need? This is a security issue. It’s hard to think creatively if you’re scared, cannot pay the bills or cannot put food on the table.

_____ Do you have a partner or mate? Then you need some real practical discussions. Can he/she fund the household and for how long? Are they behind you just getting a job or do they want you to figure out what you really want to do? What are the partnering decisions you need to make together and how do your mutual finances fit into your plans?

_____ If you are the primary or sole breadwinner, do you live paycheck to paycheck or do you have savings? How many months could you live on these savings while exploring what you really want to do?

_____ Talk to your accountant or investment person to get advice and see where you stand.

_____ If you really want to build your own small business, you may need to talk to your investment banker.

_____ Check out your vacation time, benefits, etc. so you know what you are taking with you.

_____ Look at your employment contract for ins and outs of non-compete clauses.

_____ Hire an employment attorney for advice on exactly how to proceed. They can tell you what to say and what to do as you exit; as well as what you can and cannot do and for how long—especially if you want to open your own business in the same field.

_____ As your finances and timetable get clear, imagine what you will do for financial back-up plans A and B .

_____ Set a number of months or years you will invest in starting your new business before taking a “job.”

 

I’m sure I’ve missed some things to look at and I’d love for you to share your ideas.

 

I also know that many of you are itching to find that next job or position. I know you’ll start to go online, Linked In and google search job postings, apply and get an offer. If you’re not sure it’s what you want for the long haul, make a commitment to yourself to only stay for 6 months, or 1 year while you get some guidance to figure out what you really want to do next.

Some of you will enlist the advice of one or more recruiters to know if and where you could land a job quickly if you needed to.

You might interview at a temporary agency to take on short-term or even part-time work while you figure out what you really want to do during this next phase.

So back to that financial foundation you are working on, as a last resort, list your outside resources such as family and friends who might help with jobs, resources or loans if needed. Then take action steps to explore further while also tracking your finances and putting that security in order so you have the freedom you desire going forward!

Please share what’s worked for you and reach out for a conversation to move you forward.

 

Dr. Jan Hoistad

Business Coach for Entrepreneurs/Business Transformation Consultant/ Career Coach/Executive Coach Relationship Expert, Blogger, Author

Dr. Jan is passionate about helping professionals, business owners, partners, and teams develop the skills necessary to achieve success and fulfillment in both their occupational pursuits and personal lives. With 35 years of experience, Dr. Hoistad has been a pioneer in the field of professional coaching. She’s advised countless CEO’s, executives, business group heads, emerging leaders, partners, teams, and professionals in career transition and business development, teaching them how to dig deep, and sometimes loosen up, so they can start living by their values, finding their purpose, and achieving their professional and personal goals with intent and confidence. By helping professionals see that personal wholeness is a means to achieving optimum personal and professional performance, Dr. Hoistad provides her clients the tools to become catalysts for change in their own businesses, careers and lives. They learn to leverage their strengths, build on their expertise, and expand their influence to become true innovators in their fields.

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Dr. Jan Hoistad
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