How to Realize Your True Calling

You know it. That restless tug in your chest, the dull ache of another workday spent staring at a screen that feels like it belongs to someone else’s life. You’re capable, intelligent, probably doing pretty well—and yet, something’s off. You’re not fulfilled. You’re not energized. And if we’re being honest? You’re wondering if you missed your true calling.

This is where your real career story begins—not with your résumé, not with your LinkedIn title, but with a single, raw question:

Am I truly committed to change?

Welcome to the unconventional, deeply personal, and wildly liberating path of Finding Next—a journey to reboot, pivot, or persevere in your career by discovering perspectives others miss. If you’re wrestling with changing careers at 30, 40, or even 50, keep reading. This isn’t just another list of tips for making a successful career change—it’s a challenge to everything you think you need to know.

The Lie That Keeps You Stuck

Let’s be blunt: Most people don’t fail at career change because they lack skills or opportunities. They fail because they’re more committed to comfort, approval, or status than they are to transformation.

“You are always committed to something. The question is, what is it?”

Maybe you’re committed to being liked. Maybe you’re committed to feeling in control. Maybe you’re still seeking your family’s approval. All of those commitments make sense—they’re deeply human. But they’re in direct competition with your desire to reinvent your career.

You say you want a career reboot… but are you watching Netflix every night instead of making moves? You say you want to pivot into something more meaningful… but you haven’t told a single person what you’re working toward?

Then you’re not committed to career change. You’re committed to staying the same.

Let’s fix that.

Commitment Isn’t a Buzzword—It’s a Behavior

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed, you accept no excuses—only results.” – Ken Blanchard

A successful career pivot doesn’t begin with a perfect plan. It begins with radical, sweaty-palmed, belly-flipping commitment. It begins when you finally stop browsing job boards like it’s a hobby and start behaving differently.

Here’s how you’ll know you’ve truly committed to changing your career:

1. You’ll Start Acting Weird (In the Best Way)

You’ll rearrange your life. You’ll get up earlier to work on that side project. You’ll say “no” to things that drain you. You’ll ask strangers on LinkedIn for advice. People will raise their eyebrows. That’s a good sign.

2. Your Complaints Will Shift

You’ll move from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can I do about it?” You’ll start asking smarter questions and tolerating less idle venting. You won’t settle for whining when you could be creating.

3. People Will Start to Notice

When you’re truly in motion, you’ll be magnetic. You’ll bring up your new direction in conversations. You’ll ask for help. You’ll become known for doing something—whether that’s switching industries, launching a business, or finally pursuing work you love.

How to Change Careers (for Real)

Career change—whether you’re 30, 40, or 50—doesn’t happen because you want it to. It happens because you do something about it. Here’s your roadmap:

Step 1: Make a Clear Choice

Stop hovering in the gray zone of “maybe.” Wanting a career change doesn’t get you one. You have to choose it.

Are you willing to give up approval, comfort, and familiarity?
Are you willing to look uncertain, even foolish, for a little while?
Are you willing to do the work before you know the outcome?

This choice is the first step in Finding Next.

Step 2: Define a Commitment that Rings Like a Bell

A real commitment sounds bold, not vague. It’s not “I want to be happier at work.” It’s:

“I will be earning money doing work I love by January.”
“I will build my coaching business to five clients by July.”
“I will leave this industry and enter the nonprofit space before my next birthday.”

If your goal sounds like a To Do list, it’s not a commitment—it’s a plan without a pulse.

Step 3: Declare It Publicly

Tell someone. Tell everyone. Post it, whisper it, shout it—but get it out of your head. Accountability is a career-change superpower.

Tell a friend what you’re up to.
Ask a mentor for advice.
Join a group or community like Finding Next to build momentum.

Step 4: Build a Team

No one reinvents their career alone. You need:

Accountability partners who check in on you
Supportive listeners who believe in your potential
Challengers who push you to be braver than you feel

Find your crew. They’ll help you through the messy middle.

Step 5: Take Action Immediately

Don’t wait for clarity to act. Clarity comes through action.

Not sure where to start?

Send one email asking for an informational interview.
Register a domain name for your new idea.
Post something on social media about your shift.
Reach out to a career coach or strategist.

Do one thing today. Then do another thing tomorrow.

Overcoming the Hard Parts

Career change isn’t a highlight reel—it’s a gritty, real process. And yes, it can be terrifying. Here’s how to deal with the common demons:

How to Overcome the Fear of Changing Careers

Fear doesn’t mean “stop.” It means you’re doing something real.
Make friends with discomfort. It’s the price of transformation.
Keep a “proof list” of all the hard things you’ve already done in life. Use that as fuel.

How to Deal with Workplace Burnout

Burnout is a signal, not a weakness. Something needs to change.
You may not need a vacation—you may need a different life.
Use your exhaustion as clarity. What must you never go back to?

Tips for Getting Back Into the Workforce After a Layoff or Break

You are not behind. You’re not broken. You’re being reassembled.
Lead with your story, not your gap. Tell people what you’ve learned.
Build social proof—start sharing your ideas, experiences, and energy with the world again.

Tips for Staying Motivated When You’re Facing Career Setbacks

Remember why you started. Keep a sticky note on your mirror.
Set micro-goals and celebrate wins—momentum breeds motivation.
Join a community like Finding Next to stay inspired.

The Hidden Reason Most People Fail to Find Their Purpose

It’s not because they don’t have one. It’s because they’re looking for purpose to show up before they commit.

That’s not how it works.

You don’t find purpose and then commit. You commit—and purpose follows.

Think about the most successful people you admire. Chances are, they didn’t wait until they were “sure.” They made a choice. They took action. And then they became someone the world noticed.

**What Makes Finding Next Different?**

You don’t need more books, webinars, or 10-step programs. You need a radically personalized process—a way of seeing your life and your potential differently. Finding Next isn’t about resumes or recruiters. It’s about decoding you:

What drives you.
What’s holding you back.
What you’ve never seen in yourself before.

Our proprietary process blends sharp strategy with deep introspection, helping you discover not just a new job—but your next calling.

Whether you’re considering a career change at 30 or rebooting after a layoff at 50, Finding Next will help you find the pattern in the chaos and chart a path that’s uniquely yours.

Explore more at FindingNext.guru