Making a big career change isn"t easy, especially if you"ve got kids to support, a mortgage to pay, and a car to worry about. But if you"ve got the motivation, you can do it. Here"s how.

Steps

Tackle the golden question: If you had all the money in the world, what would you be doing with yourself? Don"t hold back. This is brainstorming time. Make a list of all the things you"d rather be doing with your time. Your first few answers will probably be something like: Take a tropical vacation, spend more time with the kids, etc. But push your thinking beyond that.

Evaluate your skills and talents. Ask yourself: What am I good at? What do I most enjoy doing? Write down every skill you"re capable of. Don"t be shy.

Think of jobs that allow you to do what you really want to do, at least in some form, and apply your skills and talents every day. Be creative and open-minded.

Consider your financial situation. How much does it cost, on a monthly and annual basis, to support your current standard of living? Are you willing to lower your standard so that you can take a job that pays less?

Make a list of everything you want in your new job, and one of everything you don"t.

Browse job descriptions in your desired field. Visit a site like Salary.com to find out how much you can expect to earn in your new career. (However, do realize that Salary.com is NOT the source businesses use to set salaries- they use services that survey other businesses. Salary.com just shows a possible average of salaries and is a decent general place to start for career info.) Also refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook to see how competitive the job market may be.

Check local schools for courses and programs that may give you an edge. Start taking night classes while you"re still at your current job. Establish rapport with your teacher - he or she will prove to be a valuable reference when you"re applying for a new job.

Volunteer for organizations related to your desired career. For example, if you want to work in architecture, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, which builds houses for disadvantaged families. You get experience, and they get a helping hand!

Network. Talk to people in your desired field. Explain your situation. Ask them for advice. Give them your contact information. If what they say is true - "It"s not what you know, it"s who you know" - then cover all your bases in this department.

Save enough money to support you for 3-6 months, or however long you think it"ll take to find a job in your new career that"ll support you adequately.

Write a new resume. Make sure you include your objectives (based on step 1), education (step 6) and relevant experience (step 7).

Start your job search and good luck!