2022 has been a tough year so far for many and I definitely include myself in that. I lost my brother and am currently in the process of coming to terms with the impending loss of another very dear family member. I’m not writing this looking for sympathy or for any other reason apart from to reevaluate my path from here on in.

The Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis and countless other events this year have conspired to make this a difficult time for many. There is a phrase that my father used to quote to me regularly which is found in Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’, where Brutus is speaking to Cassius and says, “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune” (my dad used to say used to say greatness not fortune).

I guess that he was saying to me to make the most of the opportunities in front of you. I’ve always tried to do that but maybe not with the energy and enthusiasm really necessary to make a true success. When you are young then you feel invincible and immune to the tide and inevitable passing of time.

Seeing people really close to me completing their earthly journey, it has brought home to me that we all have a limited amount of time and possibly a finite amount of opportunities. The same can be said of many of the people that I’ve been working with over the last couple of months. Making a change in your career or indeed your life can be challenging and more than a little bit scary. I truly admire those ready to take the path least travelled and have definitely found that in the midst of difficulty, opportunity definitely does lie.

When evaluating the risks and opportunities being presented to me in the past, I’ve often heard my father’s voice ringing in my ears asking “What do you have to lose?” Maybe I’ve misinterpreted his well meaning advice because perhaps what he really meant to say was “What have you got to gain?”

Those two phrases which seemingly say the same are in actual fact poles apart. Being scared of losing what you have holds so many people back as it’s the opportunity that really brings the reward. In the current climate, it can be a scary thing to consider making a career choive and leaving a relatively stable and safe position. The truth is that there is no such thing as safe. Life is risky and living is perhaps the riskiest thing that you can do.

So, why have I written this article? I’ve written it to me and maybe it will inspire a couple of others to look for some more opportunities. The purpose is to inspire me to work harder and more diligently, take a few more calculated risks so at the end of my earthly journey, I’m not left thinking those terrible phrases “What if? or “if only”.

If you’re looking to make a career change and are thinking about what you might have to lose then you’re probably thinking the wrong thoughts. Try focussing on the opportunity rather than what you might have to lose.

One of my favorite quotes about success comes from an unusual source, name “The Rock” (Dwayne Johnson).

He says “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come”.

I’m rededicating myself to success and am committing here and now to follow and chase down opportunities with consistent hard work. I hope you’ll come with me on the journey and make that career change.

Author: Glenn Hughes

I’m a professional CV writer who also writes website content, LinkedIn profiles, helps people with bespoke job applications and more. I’ve been writing for the internet since 2009 and have many published articles.

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