At every talk I give, I ask the audience to tell me the reasons why people don't change careers. The most common answer given each time is "lack of money." So many people have such an exaggerated fear about money that they will not even take the time to determine how much they will need to do work they love in the first place!

Does this sound like you? Do you feel stuck where you are, trapped by your own perceptions?

It's time to pull your head out of the sand and get a handle on your finances! There are five things you can do starting right now to financially prepare yourself for a new career.

1. Stop worrying about the future and fix what's broken right now. If you're living beyond your means today but yet you worry that your dream career won't pay you enough, you're missing the mark. It's time to live in the present and make it great. Address any and all outstanding financial issues so that you can move ahead with a clean slate.

2. Keep your day job. Unless you're financially independent or have someone else supporting you, don't quit your job in haste as you change careers. It's a huge financial stress that will only hurt you as you make your transition.

3. Change your attitude about money. How many times have you heard the references "filthy rich", "money doesn't grow on trees", etc. Many of you were taught that money is scarce and wanting more of it is bad. Nonsense! There is abundance all around you, money included. Change your perspective and see that you can love your work AND be financially abundant.

4. Get some help. If the numbers scare you, if you haven't opened a bank statement all year, or if your eyes glaze over every time someone mentions "401k", you need help. There are plenty of professionals out there whose job it is to help people understand their finances so they can make smart decisions.

5. Open a dream savings account. Most people think they need to "wait until the day when they have enough money" before they consider a career change. The truth? That day can only arrive when you start saving for your new career TODAY. Even a dollar a day brings you that much closer to making your career change a reality.

Copyright 2005 Annemarie Segaric

Annemarie Segaric is a respected career change coach, motivational speaker, and the author of the pocket booklet, 107 Tips for Changing Your Career While Still Paying the Bills. Dread Monday mornings? Visit Annemarie's website and download your free career change toolkit today.