Career Change: Be Motivated Not By Money, But By Growth and Evolvement

Welcome to another edition of my Weekly Journal! I use this space to share a bit about jewelry, and a lot about my journey from lawyer to jewelry business owner. Because I made the leap from lawyer to jewelry business owner, I get a lot of questions about career change. If one of your goals for 2020 is to leave behind a job you dislike and find happiness at work through a career change or by starting your own business, this post is for you!

Career change is a topic that fascinates me and I think about it a lot. I often ponder the American work culture, too - for instance, have you ever thought about the slogan TGIF? It was invented because the vast majority of people do not like their work life and can't wait until it's Friday. That's so sad when you stop to think about it! But it's the way our society has trained us to think about work. It's no wonder that if you want to quit your corporate job to pursue something you love, you're going to feel uncomfortable, fearful, and crazy at times. This is because such a decision requires you to go against societal norms.

I think the root cause of the rampant career dissatisfaction in our country is that we're taught to be motivated by money. Ask people why they're working at a job they don't like and I guarantee you that they'll all give you an answer relating to money: "I can't afford to quit" or "I can't make this kind of money elsewhere" or "I'll never make money doing what I love." We all know that "money doesn't buy happiness" but many of us live as though that were true. So, if one of your goals for 2020 is to change jobs or start your own business, my biggest piece of advice for you is this: be driven not by money, but by what will grow and evolve you into a better version of yourself.

Let me address one of your main objections to this idea straight out of the gate, because I know a lot of you probably said, "Yeah, that's a nice idea, but I've got bills to pay." Paying bills is important. Obviously. But when did financial security become the only goal that matters? It's like, we think if we have financial security, all of a sudden we'll be happy and our life will be perfect. Spoiler alert: that's not true. I had financial security in my job as a lawyer and I was a hot mess. You wouldn't even recognize "old Stacy" as I like to call her. So I'm telling you - if the only thing that's driving your career decisions is money, you are in for a big disappointment. Even if you make all the money and get all the promotions, you are going to feel pretty empty at the finish line. And then what will you do?!

Sure, financial considerations matter. If you are struggling to pay your bills, then by all means, now's not the time to take a career risk. You need to honor the season you're in. But for those of you who aren't struggling to pay bills and are unhappy in your career, 2020 is a fresh new opportunity. Money is going to be a factor in the career decisions you make, but let it be just that: one single factor in the overall decision-making process. Let me encourage you to be driven less by money and more by what is going to grow you and evolve you into the next highest version of yourself. It's great if the career change you want to make will lead to both more money and personal growth. But when you're given a choice between the two, choose growth. Think of it as a long-term investment. When you become a better version of yourself, the money follows. It won't be immediate, but if you stick with it, it comes. It really, really does. And earning money from something you enjoy even feels a lot better than money earned from doing something you don't particularly like. It's temporary sacrifice for long-term gain.

Cheers to career change in 2020!

xo,

Stacy