Career change is a major life event. This transition affects your life cycle in many ways. We continue to grow and develop throughout life—mentally, psychologically, interpersonally, and spiritually.

My research, described in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, describes our life long journey.

Progressing Through Life With Career Change

As we progress through life, we move through alternating developmental and transition stages. Each developmental stage presents a unique set of tasks to master and problems to solve. Between developmental periods we experience transition periods that allow us to question who we are and where we want to go.

These transitions give us time to re-examine our needs and values, take another look at our external world including job and relationships, explore and evaluate options, and make decisions to either deepen or alter earlier commitments.

Handling Transitions in Your Life and Career

Adults in transition may be every bit as miserable as adolescents. But those who reassess values and set goals for their next developmental stage are healthier, happier and wiser than those who do not. Failure to resolve the challenges of transitions can lead to severe problems including alcoholism, depressions, even suicide.

Chapter 5, The Career Cycle Meets the Life Cycle, in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, shows how to navigate transitions and realize your potential.