People in early recovery struggle with putting their lives back together and often have financial and life obligations due to past neglect. Many newly recovered people begin to develop new interests and hobbies as a result of their recovery and soon begin to realize that they want more from a job than just a paycheck.
Recovery is about balance, finding emotional and financial fulfillment in a career is a big part of achieving balance in life. Career success can give people in recovery a feeling of self satisfaction and it can be a big boost to self esteem.
Figuring out what you enjoy and identifying your talents is a journey that requires commitment to a plan of action. Transitioning into a new job or career can take time. A good starting point is always self reflection. Make a list of the jobs you have held. Identify the skills you have developed in each job, what were the high points of each job and what gave you a sense of pride and accomplishment? Are there any jobs or current hobbies that make you happy and what do you want more or less of? Are you the type of person who needs a lot of structure and guidance on a job or do you do better working on your own?
Use the Acronym DECIR (pronounced Desire) to help you begin to develop a plan of action.
Describe what you want: What do you see yourself doing in six months, a year or five years?
Explore your options: Will you need job training or a degree? Do you need to start with Adult Education or can you jump into a school program? Is there financial aid available? Tennessee, for instance, offers a program called Tennessee Reconnect which pays for adults to go back to school and earn an associate degree through any of Tennessee's Community Colleges. https://www.tbr.edu>initiatives>tn..
Create a game plan: Do your research. Connect with a community college and research what skills you will need online. Talk to people you may already know working in your field of interest for job leads, training programs or internships.
Implement a plan: Create a time line beginning with 30 days, 60, and 90 days. You may just need to update references, a resume, check with employment offices and post your resume online. If you do not have a job then your job for the first 30 days is finding a job! Keep track of your progress, you may have to take a job just to make ends meet until you get the training you need but keep looking for jobs in your chosen field and never underestimate "getting a foot in the door" of a company you want to work for.
Research your goal: Know what you are getting into when you make a decision to pursue a career change. Don't get frustrated. To borrow a phrase from Stephen Covey, "Begin with the End in Mind." Acquiring the skills you need to make changes will be benefit you in the long run. Addicts are used to instant gratification and climbing the career ladder is usually a marathon and not a sprint. Be prepared to "go all in" for the long haul. Build a support network of cheerleaders who want to see you succeed and don't forget to remind yourself daily how great you are, You are "worthy and ready" for success and the best path forward is made "one day at a time."
