Too often in life, we fail. We fail not because we set our goals to high and miss achieving our aspirations. Instead, we fail because we set our dreams too low and we attain them. If we achieve what we set out to do then how is this considered to be a failure? Failure occurs when we are not fulfilling our highest aspirations.

THINKING AS A CHILD

We begin our lives as children with ambitious goals. For example, a child might decide that they would like to grow up and become an astronaut and travel to the moon. This child doesn't have the ability to place any limitations on themselves. They don't think about what degree they need to possess in order to be an astronaut. They don't become worried about all of the details that are necessary to attain this dream. Instead, the child just knows that they are passionate about space exploration. When you are in the midst of a employment change, think and dream like a child. Let your passions lead you to a destination that is right for you.

ABANDON ANY LIMITATIONS

Society, friends and/or family members can put a damper on your hopes and tell you that you are ill-equipped of achieving your highest dream. You may be told that you are too old, not smart enough, don't have enough money, don't have the right education or background or just simply are the wrong ethnic group or sex. The actuality of these limitations exists only in the mind. You have the choice to either accept or doubt the limitations. That's right, you have a choice. You can choose to be like the great composer, Beethoven, who was once told by his music teacher that as a composer he was hopeless. Beethoven recognized that he would not be stopped by the label that his music teacher placed on him even despite the fact that he was deaf.

LET GO OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T BENEFIT YOU

When you are changing careers, you may find that you battle your own bouts of doubt. The last thing that you need is for other people to tell you what you should and shouldn't be doing especially when you acknowledge that they are not fully supporting your efforts. With these people (and we all have them in our lives), you will need to advise them that you love and care for them but you would appreciate if they kept their comments about your ambitions to themselves. If you don't eliminate outer sources of negativity, you will find your passions getting buried deep inside yourself.

BELIEVE THAT MONEY IS AS PLENTIFUL AS THE AIR

People sometimes don't pursue a particular employment path because they believe that they won't make the same or more money than what they are currently earning. Again, recognize that this belief is a limitation. Work towards eliminating these thought patterns. Instead, realize that with any and every job, you have the ability to make as much money as you desire. That's right. You can make as much money as you want. Even though Henry Ford was poor and uneducated, he dreamed of a horseless carriage and his dream became a reality of what we know today as the automobile. Thus, you must have the mindset that money is just as plentiful as air.

Do you ever find yourself bothered that you might not have enough air? Do you keep track of the number of breaths that you are taking within the day so that you don't run out? The answer is no and in fact someone would think that you are crazy if you thought that you were going to experience an air shortage. The same is true for money. The mindset of plenty is the first step in creating the wealth that accompanies your passions.

STAY FOCUSED

The best way to black out your fears is to keep your eyes focused on the dream that you long for. Stephen Covey says that you should have the end in mind. Ask yourself, what do you someday want to become? What do you want people to say about you when you die? When you stay focused on your dream, it becomes easier to attain since you can then develop the necessary steps that will take you from where you are today to where you want to be. Making a job change then becomes less daunting and more systematic.

Keep in mind that if you work 40 hours per week then you will work about 2000 hours per year. Even if you are five years away from retirement, could you fathom doing your job for another 10,000 more hours? If not, make a change in your career. Your future and happiness are waiting for you!