Define why you want a career change – You may feel the need for change, but is the reason legitimate? Write down a list of reasons why you think a change is needed. If your reasons for switching careers are more important than the reasons why you should stay, then that should only be the time to go for it.

Find someone to guide you – The main reason for this is to have someone who can teach you the ins and outs of the business. You will have someone who can help you prepare for the change and aid you when you encounter roadblocks in your new career.

Be realistic – Just because you already have a lot of experience and know your skills, this does not mean that you will not experience problems along the way. You will be entering a different field than what you are used to; there will be things that you haven’t experienced yet. You should also know that by starting over with a new career, you might have to start at the bottom of the food chain again.

Skill Check – You want to move on to a new career, but have you checked to see if your current skills are transferable? Does your current skill set fit with the chosen path you want to take? Are you lacking any skills that could prevent you from changing careers?

Network – If you have decided to go ahead with the career change, start creating relationships that can help you build the necessary connections.

If everything looks like you’re going to have a smooth transition, then go for it. The change may turn out to be better for you in the end. It may even spark something in you that can lead to your success.