How many of you, like me, have said that you want a different job? Maybe not to your boss’s face or even to your co-workers. Maybe not even to your significant other or family members.

But let’s be honest, there are a great many of us who do not want to be in the job we are in and would dearly love to move on and move up. Are am I making this up? If so, you can stop reading now...if not, here are my suggestions as to what you can do.

Do Your Best...Now!

Oops, how does that get you another job? Simple:

• Give an honest day for an honest dollar
• Show up to do work and not just be at work
• Find the value in what you are doing now...it means something to someone

By doing these things you are preparing yourself and creating the mindset to go out and get another job. Which new employer wouldn't want to hire someone with these traits? They fall under “experience and initiative”...and don’t forget “trustworthy” on your resume!

Start the Adventure

Your dream job, even the “nightmare” job you have now will not and did not fall from out of the sky and say, “here, pick me”. No one plans to hand you a job on a silver platter or give you the key to the city...that only happens in the movies.

You have to get off the couch, dust off those “Sunday-go-to-meeting” clothes and get busy looking. Whether you look in the classifieds, online, or wander from business to business looking for the telltale “We Are Hiring” sign, you have to take action on finding another job. Complacency means that you will stay where you are and, if that's what you choose, then that is where you will stay.

I would suggest you create an action plan:

1. What qualifications do I have (formal education)?
2. What skills and experience do I have now?
3. Which industry do I want to focus on (service, hospitality, health, trades, etc)?
4. What education do I need/want to focus on?
5. Who can I talk to in the industry I want to work in?
6. Create your resume; get help if you need to...this is your “sales pitch”
7. Apply now! If you’re waiting for the right time you need to check the clock...the time is now!
8. Practice your interview skills even before you get one.

• What will they ask?
• What do you know about the company?
• What do you bring to the table?
• It would be great if someone from that industry could help you, even do a mock interview.
• This is true: dress for success.

And don’t be late for your first day!

Stop Wishing and Start Doing

Far too many of us dream about another job because we know that the one we are in is the one we had to take...at the time...and for whatever the reason. But you do not have to stay there. You can make changes and improve yourself.

For example: I was getting caught up in being a "lifer" at a place I worked for 19 years. Everything, and my co-workers, pointed to doing one job and retiring from it. Everyone was fearful of negatively affecting their pension. And then, for family reasons, we moved. My wife and I got different jobs and did 3 things:

1. Continued making the same income
2. Began applying for new opportunities and actually advanced
3. Continued paying into a pension and an investment plan

Who knew that our qualifications, skills, and retirement plans were transferable? We planned our steps and took action...the two ingredients to success!

It may seem difficult to change jobs and even downright frightening sometimes. But better to do it by choice and on your terms. It's not impossible...but what is possible is that you will choose to continue to complain and look over the fence at how better off others are.