For some, the sound of the alarm clock in the morning causes a sinking feeling. Knowing that work is no longer the fun place it once was, getting out of bed certainly becomes a chore. As the mad rush to join the morning rush hour begins, there’s a feeling there must be more to it than this.

Do you vaguely remember the concept of organizational commitment, motivation and high morale? It’s minutely clear that timeouts should be called in his career.

The initial battle is recognizing the problem. Your exhaustion may have gotten the best of you while you were busy with the heavy lifting from nine to five (or an extended variation of these hours). The first and most important step is to be honest, acknowledge that there is a problem, and start looking for answers.

When you realize that the workplace is a source of unhappiness, it’s time to do some serious soul searching. If you suddenly find that you don’t like your career anymore, it’s like losing a friend. A normal emotion is fear. Another is panic. The decision to voluntarily step out of your comfort zone is terrifying.

But what if you face this crisis in a foreign country, with an unknown language and a strange culture?

Originally from Northern Ireland, Susan now lives in the Netherlands. She resigned from her position in the world of advertising after a harrowing fight for her career. Her position was stressful, and in retrospect, she was unable to separate the stress created by the position and job dissatisfaction.

Once he realized that he didn’t believe in what he was doing, he accepted that action was needed.
“Financial stability was a key concern. The thought process turned out to be relatively simple in essence: I was going to keep doing the same thing and not be happy, or be brave and go see what else was in it for me.”

Not speaking Dutch was a barrier. But she used her skill set as a transferable asset. She tapped into her networks to talk to as many people as possible in the publishing world and used the technology to take a distance journalism course. She took a step towards a new professional career.

She advises, “Make sure you have a plan. Think about your marketable skills.”

Kathy, an American living in the Netherlands, felt her life slipping away as she grappled with office politics within her work environment and the power her bosses had over her own image. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when she was passed over for promotion.
“I interviewed at other companies. I was no more impressed by their management than mine. Gradually I realized that I just didn’t want to have a boss anymore.”

Kathy made the decision to leave her employer. She hired a professional counselor and relied on her partner’s safety. Her circle of support was as strong as it would have been in the United States, but Kathy acknowledges that there are cultural issues working in a foreign country: “Language issues can limit the ability to express ideas persuasively.”

His plan for the future is to set up on his own using his skills and the international contacts he has amassed. The change process has made her stronger and her self-confidence shines through, “I am confident that my personal integrity, work ethic and results orientation are part of who I am. Those qualities are with me to stay and use in any new venture I pursue.

Navigating your way through a career change abroad requires determination, creativity, flexibility and self-confidence. The following three steps will put you on the path to a new career path:

1 Set clear goals and think outside the box to reach your goals.

2 Identify the gaps in your skills and fill them.

3 Begin to notice your confidence expand and more opportunities seem to open up when you feel good about what you can do.

Change happens one step at a time.

Breaking out of a mold is difficult, but when you no longer enjoy your work, walk an unknown path. The results may be worth the trip.

Career Crossroads Tips

1. Be honest with yourself. Do you stay where you are for fear of failure?

2. Learn to recognize signs of stress and ask for help. The consequences of stress should not be underestimated

3. Talk to those around you

4. Do Activities That Boost Your Confidence and Skill Base

5. Evaluate what aspects of your job you enjoy

6. Seek professional professional advice if you need help

7. Be realistic: how will language and culture limit a career change?

8. Look for the opportunities that technology brings; laptop races and virtual work

9. What skills do you have that are transferable to a new career? Tailor your CV to reflect this.

10. Use your networks for comments and vacancies. It’s who you know that makes the difference.