In 2020, after 4 years of back operations I became disabled with foot drop and the specialist told me I had to stop my new business of a doggy day care.

I was devastated and depressed but I didn’t give up!

So this blog is sort of a ‘how-to’ and some steps to help you if you are feeling the struggle to find your identity and have a need to reinvent.

So the first step on this journey is…

1. Look at the why.

The image features a minimalist design with a single piece of paper or card on a light pink background. On the card, there is a black and white illustration of a heart-shaped candy with the word "WHY" printed in bold, pink letters at the center. — Step number 1 is to look at why you want to reinvent yourself or your situation.
Once you have figured out why you are feeling this way, you will be able to see which opportunities you need to look for.
Instead of looking into a dark tunnel, shine a light into it to see where to go. Your why reason is your torch.

2. Look at your skills

A dog with glasses on working on a computer — Look at the different skills you have in all areas and write them in a list.
Are there skills you don’t have yet but want to obtain? Do you need to go back to studying to get additional qualifications?

There are many online courses available these days, so it is quite easy to fit that extra qualification around your work. Don’t forget to list what you are capable of, too. Conscientiousness, problem-solving, and adaptability are all important skills.

3. Look towards yourself

If you have mentally given up on the career you are in now, you might still be going to work but you are not getting any satisfaction from it or maybe something from outside has changed and your present career can no longer continue.

This is the time to look inside yourself and reconnect with what brings you joy and meaning. Recognise what your strengths and passions are and try to use them to move forward. If you don’t know where to begin you could ask family, friends or colleagues to give feedback on your strengths as well as weaknesses and use it to help you find your path.

Look at what your priorities are and how they will fit into your plan.

4. Look outwards

In this present climate, work-life for many people is changing and they are realising there is more than the day to day and that they need to focus on the big picture. Staying in a job they dislike or find unrewarding for the security is no longer the answer. They are reinventing their careers so that they can make a difference to others and themselves.

Considering a new career path entirely that provides financial gain but also provides meaning will help you find career fulfilment. So invest in a little research to find what is out there, you might find something you never even considered possible.

5. The new you

Over time technology has changed and progressed, and increasingly, your professional identity is being shaped by your online presence.
It doesn’t matter your age or your experience; getting to grips with **social media** is a must-do for any new career. It will allow you to reach further out and increase your network with clients and fellow professionals. You are in control of the message you are sending out to the world, make your message reflect the ‘new’ you and make an impression on the right people.

6. Silence the biggest critic

A woman with red hair is standing against a plain light-colored background, wearing light blue overalls with a daisy flower pattern. She has her hands covering her eyes, and underneath the overalls, she is wearing a white tank top. — Who is your biggest Critic?
Well, actually, It’s you!

You will possibly think about all the reasons why you shouldn’t be changing things, and why reinventing yourself is a bad idea.
Things like:
I’m scared
I’m not qualified enough
I don’t know where to start
It is not the right time to take a risk
I am not brave enough

All these thoughts can be ignored, eventually anyway and it is the difference between wanting to make a change and doing something to make that change happen.

Obviously, the reinvention journey is different for each of us; one person might just make a small change while the next person can have a complete career change.

Reinventing your career is possible, but it is also important to stay relevant in today’s work environment.

So get your pen and paper and start planning your future; you can do this.

Meet Bizzybee, a fantastic virtual assistance service based in Cheshire that serves the entire UK. Erin, the brains behind Bizzybee, is all about helping creative freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses succeed by taking care of the little things that can be time-consuming and draining.

How do you start again?