Steeped in the tradition of making resolutions and kick-starting a new year, January is a month of contemplation. People everywhere spend time thinking about the state of their lives today and where they want to be in the future. Often, when it comes to careers, it’s the time of year when people start to think bigger – setting aside what’s not working and seeking opportunities for challenge and professional growth.

But what does it mean to think bigger? How do you know if it’s time to take that next step forward in your current role or do something completely different? The following questions will help you evaluate your current professional path:

  • Are you reaching your financial objectives? When working for a company, your income is decided by your boss and the company for whom you work. While you have some negotiating power, even the best employees typically only see their salaries grow by a small, certain percentage each year. A career move is often required to help people take control of their financial future. Whether it’s finding a new job, asking for a promotion or launching a business of your own, it’s time to take charge!
  • Are you excited about your work? When you think about Monday, are you enthusiastic about returning to work? You should be! On average, Americans spend 47 hours a week at work. That’s a significant amount of time, so it’s important that it be time spent doing something you find satisfying. Exploring new careers or taking the leap into entrepreneurship may help you regain some of your earlier professional enthusiasm.   If you dread Mondays and the return to the office, make 2016 the year you find (and capitalize on) your true passion!
  • Are you confident about what your future holds? Do you find yourself in an industry that’s still reeling from the recent economic recession? Do you head into work each day wondering if today might be your last? Worrying about layoffs is a draining way to live, fraught with negative unhealthy stress. Fortunately, there are a variety of industries that are expanding, where growth and stability are possible. Exploring alternative career paths and business opportunities in growing industries may just be the stress reliever you need!
  • Are you developing new skills? After spending years in your current industry, you may find yourself craving new challenges. Perhaps you’ve spent years poring over financial records but have always been intrigued by the human resources side of business. Maybe you’ve been crafting marketing materials for years but would love to put your customer service skills to the test. From heading back to school to starting your own business, a career change will round out your skill set and offer new challenges.
  • Are you happy with the lifestyle your position provides?  Holding down a 9-5 job, five days a week that often requires a 10-12 hour daily commitment isn’t the only path to success and occupational stability. If you find that your job restricts your ability to be with your family at important times or the flexibility to accomplish personal goals, it’s time to consider alternatives to the traditional schedule. In fact, it’s probably time to become your own boss!

At Blimpie, we’re proud that we’ve been able to help so many of our franchisees take their next professional step. As Blimpie owners, they benefit from the support of Kahala Brands, Blimpie’s parent company and restaurant industry leader, the joy of food franchise ownership and the flexibility to develop their careers at their own pace. If you have resolved to make changes in 2016, explore the Blimpie franchise opportunity to see if the affordable food franchise opportunity is for helping you achieve your goals.