I have a good friend with a short attention span. When he sees a hobby he thinks he might enjoy, he’ll jump into it with both feet. When he decided to try sailing, he bought a 26-foot sailboat and joined a sailing race team on one of the Great Lakes. Three years later he sold his boat and retired from racing.

You may not be as adventurous as Peter, but maybe its time to try that one thing that gets your juices flowing.

Have you ever thought about changing jobs or careers? When you consider that the average person will work 30-40 years, it sounds reasonable to change careers at least twice during our lifetime. Unfortunately, the reality of paying the bills gets in the way of making significant changes. I’ve watched hundreds of people do nothing because they are afraid of making a mistake. My suggestion is that you can find creative ways to test the water and acquire the confidence to make that career change you’ve dreamed about.

A friend of mine talked about being a computer technician for years; I finally talked her into taking a couple of courses at the local community college. After taking two courses, she realized it was not what she imagined. Anita is still proud of the fact she

didn’t sit on sidelines thinking; “I wish I would have.” She gave it her best shot and this experience has given her the confidence to continue to search for her passion.

If returning to the classroom is not your cup of tea, I’m going to suggest several other strategies that will give you the opportunity to expand your options. Many careers offer the opportunity to volunteer and get firsthand experience of what it’s like to be an employee in the medical field or food services, IT specialist or firefighter, just to name a few. This is your opportunity to ask lots of questions. How did they make the decision to pursue this career path and what aspects do they like and dislike? Ninety-nine percent of the people I’ve met are happy to share their story and they truly want to help. Watching a video on YouTube is one way to do your research, but nothing beats talking face to face with someone who is in the trenches.

Many careers don’t have formal volunteer programs, but don’t let that stop you from getting firsthand knowledge in whatever it is you want to try. If the idea of being a carpenter or plumber is on your wish list, find a small contractor and offer to help them clean up in return for personal career advice. Show up with a dozen doughnuts and, if you demonstrate a sincere interest in what they’re doing, there’s a good chance they will enjoy the opportunity help you. If the conversation goes well, I’m going to recommend you discuss the possibility of an apprenticeship. Ask the right people at the right time and anything is possible.

It’s been my experience that most people can “feel your pain” and there is a high probability they have walked a mile in your moccasins. It’s easy to find career information on the internet, but nothing beats on-the-job experience or talking to people who have been there, done that. To get beyond the daydreaming stage you need to reach out and find someone that can support you in your career exploration journey.

I encourage you to visit your local workforce agency (unemployment office) for information on formal training and apprenticeship programs. If you’re more of the do-it-yourself type, reach out to small businesses and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you show up with an authentic attitude you will be surprised how many people are willing to help you explore and hopefully find the career path that is best for you.

Now it’s up to you to reach out and find a way to test the water. I know Peter’s advice would be this: “Jump in with both feet and avoid having to say, ‘I wish I would have.’”

Bill Kaminski is president of Stone Associates Training. He is an HR consultant with 35 years of experience in the employment field, teaching managers the art of hiring great employees. Bill is also an adjunct instructor at Keuka College. You can contact Bill with questions, suggestions or comments at www.bill@stoneassociatestraining.com.