Is it career change or career evolution? I wonder …

Folks entering their “third stage” in life, as well as those in jobs that are shifting are often faced with a precious opportunity – how do I want to spend my resources (time & talent), my precious energy, for the rest of my life?  This opportunity is a big one and the words “career change” are typically used to depict this transition – from one job to another, from one profession to another, from one industry to another. Maybe there was a time that career change accurately described the situation. Now though, seeing this transition from wider perspective will better serve those going through this process.  Instead of career change, consider career evolution.

The truth – we never really leave the wisdom, experience and skills gained from a prior career or job. We transcend and include those aspects of life by embodying work experience and bringing that embodiment to the present opportunity.  The ability and value of bringing forward all that we are from one stage to the next is essential to individual and collective success.  It is not a career change, it is a career evolution. Career evolution honors all of the gifts, growth, training, value, offerings from the past, enabling skillful use and integration into what is relevant and valuable for today.

How have you honored your career? How are your skills and talents long ago embodied from another job being used today without full recognition? Take a moment to appreciate your evolution at work, play and life.