Very important topic with excellent treatment by Steve as usual.
I have managed to go from about a 3 to a strong 8 (i.e. still not there yet). So far it has been two years (almost to the day) since my conscious decision to make the change. Next year I reckon I will be at a 9 and the year after a 10. There was a lot of suffering in the years leading up to making that conscious decision.
I'm not sure this is the right place to go into all the decision-making, soul-searching, wrong turns and ups and downs of my transition (I can if people want to know), but here are a few thoughts I'd like to pass on.
1) I think the most important thing I've learnt is that it is vital to have a clear picture of the "End Game". You really need to have a clear idea of where you want to be. Only then can you start working towards getting there. I think this is one area where people have difficulty as they sometimes have no idea where they want to get to. I've found visualisation to be an invaluable tool here. It's a case of removing all the mental barriers and preconceptions you've built up and just imagining your ideal career/situation. Then work back from there. You need to listen to your instincts - they are usually right, but it's very easy to second guess them. If all else fails just try something different!
2) Transitioning to a career/lifestyle you love is not going to happen over night. It will depend where you are now in relation to your end game. For some it could be a few months, for others it will take years to get there. I reckon for me going from a 3 to a 10 will take around 4 years. I noticed a very marked improvement in quality of life as soon as I'd made the decision to change and started moving towards my new life.
3) Once you have your end goal in sight you can work out a set of goals to get you there. This will also lead to a list of values. I recommend reading everything by Steve on values - it's a big help. Your value list will change as your goals do. For example, I am coming towards the end of a 6 month contract I took as I needed a certain level of savings to move me towards my next goal. As a result my health/fitness had to drop down a couple of notches as the contract involved 4 hours commuting into London on top of a 9 hour day. However, when the contract finishes (end of December) health/fitness will be back at the top of my list of values along with freedom - and money matters will drop down on the list. Along with having a vision of an end goal I find the list of values to be critical to making decisions that help me towards my aim. If your end goal is your compass, your value list is your map - I use the compass to orientate and the map to negotiate the terrain.
4) Be prepared to get it wrong. I have taken a couple of wrong turns. It's important to learn from your mistakes and move on. For example - I initially totally underestimated the time it would take to make the transition out of my current career (3 months was my estimate!) - wow, did I get that wrong! Stay flexible and having a clear end goal in sight will keep you coming back to the right path again.
5) Don't succumb. Once you've made the decision to change or move towards your ideal career/lifestyle don't give up. It's easy to get disheartened and just go back to your "bad old ways". Stay strong and a good support network will help.
6) Be careful about whose opinions you listen to when deciding to make a big career/lifestyle change. People can really be negative towards change - especially family (who ironically should be the most supportive). You have to do what is right for you - and whatever that is will be right for your family. Equally don't use your loved ones as an excuse for your own fear.
7) Enjoy the process. There is really something so positive and enriching about moving towards a career/lifestyle you love. Even in the early days just starting to get moving in the right direction is a fantastic experience. I remember one day soon after I'd made the switch - I went into my home office with a herbal tea. When I raised the cup to my lips it was stone cold - I then realised that over two hours had passed since I'd sat down and I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I hadn't thought to drink my tea. When that happens it's a sign you are on the right track!
So that's my direct advice. I know others than have found Po Bronson's "What should I do with my life?" of great value. I read the book several years ago and found it useful from the point of view that it was good to know that other people were struggling with the same issues I was - I drew a lot of strength from that. I also interviewed a guy (Steven G. Williams) for one of my websites (
Dream of Siam | Live the dream in South-East Asia) who quoted Po Bronson's book as THE book that changed his life. He was working in finance in L.A. and became a science fiction writer living in Asia after reading the book!
So, good luck to you all - changing career or lifestyle is not easy, but it is a very rewarding adventure!
Tony