Career change: Elements of planning

Once you know what direction you want, planning for change is vital.

Two models are useful to help us identify what we need to plan.

• Global and local maxima. It refers to the high values in a mathematical function and can be applied in switching careers. Sometimes you have to go down a hill to climb up a new one. To move from a local maximum to a higher peak, you have to go through a valley. This means that sometimes steps down can also be steps forward.
• Activation energy. It requires you to think about what you need between now and your desired result. Then consider the effort needed for sustained change.