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5 Ways To Change Your Life If You’re Not Where You Want To Be

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’m not a fan of the idea of wishing your way into the life you dream of. I’ve counted how many people I know who that has worked for and I’ve come up with a list of zero. I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer about the concept of a positive attitude because being in a good frame of mind is essential for making awesome life changes but wishing won’t get you anywhere. Doing will. You only get one magnificent, terrible, extraordinary, splendid life and I forbid anyone to waste it. If you’re feeling like you want to change your life, here are some tangible actions you can take to move yourself forward.

Change Your Life

1. Change jobs 

You don’t even have to hate your job to want to leave it, you might just be ready for bigger and better things. It can seem incredibly daunting leaving a job but it’s absolutely do-able. Here are a few places you can start if you’re looking for a job switch.

Tell everyone what kind of job you want, including your boss. The more people who know, the more likely they will be to recommend you when a job you’re perfect for comes up.

Job search constantly and consistently. You never know when your dream company is hiring so make sure you stay active on job boards and subscription lists that are relevant to your field, even if you’re in a job you love.

Search in the right places. Don’t just look on Seek – it’s an over saturated market. Check out Pedestrian, The Loop, SourceBottle and Facebook. Be a part of job seeker groups and follow the pages of companies you’re interested in. If Frankie magazine is looking for a features editor, they’re going to put the shout out on their Facebook wall, not on Seek.

Cold call. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. When I was nineteen years old, a bead shop opened up in my home town and I nearly wet myself with excitement. I marched right down there the very next day and asked for a job. They gave me one and I worked there for the next four years. I adored that job and I would never have got it if I hadn’t asked. Just go for it, the worst thing that can happen is that they’ll say no. Big whoop.

Change Your Life

2. Move cities

I must preface this suggestion by saying you need to have a reason to move. For example, there’s a course you want to do or you want to be close to the beach or to your family. Moving because you’re bored is never a good plan. On that note here are a few ways you can shift locations in the most pain free way possible.

See if your work has any transfer programs. Lots of government, retail and ecommerce companies have branches in different locations around the world. Make it known that you’re keen for a lifestyle change and keep reminding upper management that relocation is a priority for you.

Imagine your ideal day and write down everything that would happen on that day. Does it involve brunch at a trendy cafe? A swim in the ocean? A hike in a rainforest? Watching a movie under a blanket as it rains outside? Where is the best place for you to live to make your perfect day happen? The best bit about doing this little activity is that you’ll find there are lots of places that fit your criteria so you can choose somewhere within your budget and in the general area you’d like to live.

If you’re flexible with your employment, look for jobs that provide accommodation and let that be your guide. You could try fruit picking, nannying or guiding tours. It’s a great way to experience lots of different living situations and help you find out what the best living scenario is for you.

Don’t over think it. Just because you moved somewhere doesn’t mean you can’t move back again. If your current job offers leave without pay, take a year off and experiment. If you love it, stay. If you don’t love it, leave.

Change Your Life

3. Study full time 

There seems to be a general aversion to studying full time as an adult and I cannot for the life of me understand why. People balk at the idea of studying for three or four years but the time will pass anyway so you might as well use it doing something useful. Speaking of useful, it’s always a good idea to study something that’s actually useful. I have a teaching degree that I wasn’t that stoked about doing at the time but it gave me highly paid, regular part-time work that kept me afloat while I grew my writing portfolio and business. Even though I’m no longer a teacher, I use my teaching degree every single day. My teaching degree is easily the best thing I’ve ever done and given my time over, I’d do it again in an instant.

Change Your Life

4. Study part time 

If studying full time isn’t an option for you, try studying part-time. It takes a bit longer to get your degree but as I’ve said before, the time will pass anyway so you might as well make use of it.

Are we mates on Facebook yet?

5. Say yes to new opportunities 

You might not even need to change anything about your job or your home, you might simply need something extra in your life. I cannot recommend hobbies highly enough. I’m very content with theatre and crocheting but here’s a list of stuff I’d love to do when I get more time/retire.

Crocheting

Painting

Hand lettering

Drawing

Macrame

Historical society reenactments (for real, they look like so much fun)

Improv theatre

Tap dancing

Coding

Join a book club

Singing in a band

Rollerblading

Playing ukulele

Go karting

Glass blowing

Bonsai

If you truly don’t feel satisfied with your life, you have to do something about it. And if you’ve been thinking about studying, just go for it. I don’t know of anyone who has regretted learning more things. If you’re thinking about smashing a teaching degree or getting your masters, go for it. I will make you many virtual cups of tea for when you write your essays.

What would you do if you had no obstacles? What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to do?

Are we mates on Facebook yet?

13 Comments

  1. Author
    Carly Jacobs 8 years ago

    Oh yes! When I live in a proper house I will definitely do lots of gardening. I have a tiny balcony with hardly any natural light so it’s almost impossible for me to grow anything. I’d love to live more sustainably one day. Twin goals. 🙂

  2. Author
    Carly Jacobs 8 years ago

    I’ve always been fascinated by painting I’ve tried it a few times but I’ve never been able to get more skilled at it. I think it would be lovely to just walk away from our problems for a bit wouldn’t it? 🙂

  3. Author
    Carly Jacobs 8 years ago

    That’s the thing, the time will pass anyway you might as well make use of it. I’ve never regretted getting a degree in education. it’s a totally recession proof career!

  4. Author
    Carly Jacobs 8 years ago

    That’s another thing – we don’t have to stick to the same career and our passions change all the time! You might as well follow something that makes you super excited. There’s also jobs now that didn’t exist 5 years ago. I’m all for skilling up!

  5. Author
    Carly Jacobs 8 years ago

    Perhaps you need to see a counsellor or speak to a professional? It might be a good idea if you’ve tried everything you’re still not feeling right. Hope everything works out for you.

  6. Kathryn 7 years ago

    I’ve had people tell me a few times that they want to move cities but what if they hate it and ruin their lives. It really isn’t such a big deal. Move back. It might be a financial setback but it’s not something that gets set in stone.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      Exactly! I did that 7 years ago when I moved to Melbourne. It was a great, so I stayed. If it sucked I would have left. No biggie.

  7. Holly 7 years ago

    SO me at the moment! I am planning a 18 month sabbatical. I am a teacher, which I love, but not at my school. Going to leave, study learning support part time, study yoga teaching too, work on health goals (teaching makes you fat and stressed I think!) and then look for a great part time job in 18 months time. Was thinking of starting a blog too about the whole ‘sabbatical’ concept…except don’t know where to start….are you still doing the blogging course?

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      I found teaching made me super stressed, not so much fat because I had no time to eat! Much less time to exercise though for real. Teaching is really hard. That’s why I don’t do it anymore. I am still doing the blogging course but it’s online now but there will be a new influx of students soon so stay tuned!

  8. Lisa Fourman 7 years ago

    Thank you for this post, Carly! The first tip is exactly what I’m in the middle of right now. I ended up creating my own virtual assistant business so I could do what I love to do on my own terms.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      That’s so it – sometimes being semi-satisfied just isn’t enough you have actually chase some joy.

  9. Thank you for that list. I’m always thinking of those types of things. Change your hairstyle or maybe your fashion style would be something I’d add. If I had no obstacles, I think I’d buy a place in Belize and spend the winters there. Maybe live there full time eventually.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 7 years ago

      Oh totally I’m looking at Europe home ownership too. Long term plan – I want a unit in Lake Como! 🙂

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