We all want to contribute to the world and make a difference. However, living with financial barriers can cause us to think our situation will always stay the same. When we identify our skills and strengths as tools that can be used as assets, we set ourselves up to recognize opportunity in new, more impactful ways.

When moving toward a new career, we can learn:

• That work can be enjoyable or rewarding! When a job is a good fit for your assets, you are more likely to do well at the job. Even if a job is “challenging”, there is a good kind of challenge that helps keep you interested in the job.
• To be comfortable with naming our assets. Telling people about your strengths, and how you can help them.

Some of the assets that can help you move to a different career path are:

• Basic Needs & Services: Things you possess for using in everyday life, such as housing, food, clothing, childcare, elder care, and recreation.
• Skills & Knowledge: Skills are abilities you can do well, while knowledge is information you know well. These include everyday skills (cooking, taking transit), computer skills and knowledge, and social skills.
• Finances: Finances are not just about how much money you make, but about how you manage it. Financial assets include your income, bank accounts, filing taxes to get benefits, savings, investments, and credit score.
• Sense of self: Your personal qualities or traits that make you unique can take you a long way; helping you build good relationships and do well at work or school.
• Connections: Connections with people can help you have better health or get a job.

Take some time to identify all your assets, and what you have to offer to your community. If you are struggling to identify your assets, try the following:

• Ask friends, family, or other trusted people about what makes you unique or helpful.
• Try volunteering at an organization that you like. You’ll learn where you excel, and you’ll also develop your skills. You will either improve your current skills or learn new skills that will help lead you to your new path.
• Think about how you deal with challenges. We all approach challenges in different ways, and your approach can tell you a lot about your assets. In a recent or current challenge, what was your approach, and what does that say about your assets?
• If you are looking to be your own boss, you could consider self-employment. Self-employment could be a primary source of income, or side income. Self-employment does automatically not come with benefits, but your local Chamber of Commerce might offer discounted benefits packages to small business owners. While pay may vary, if self-employment is ultimately more enjoyable for you, it may last longer as a source of income.

It takes time to learn about your assets, and other ways to improve your finances. Learn ways to improve your finances using Momentum’s Money Management workshops.