Returning to work after a career break can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips for determining your new direction and propelling yourself forward.

1. Determine your “job building blocks.” Identify what is at the intersection of what you are best at and what you love doing the most. Start by listing out your prior significant work and volunteer roles. Then, write down the primary responsibilities you had with each opportunity. Finally, circle the responsibilities you loved the most and were the best at. Use this grouping to brainstorm options for rebuilding a new career path for yourself.
2. Consider the 4 C’s to identify your ideal version of work. The “4C’s of relaunching” your career are: control, content, compensation, and culture. Control is about the power you have over your schedule — when, where, and how you work. Content is about your level of satisfaction with the actual work you are doing. Compensation is about financial stability — your salary, paid time off, health insurance, etc. Culture has to do with your work environment, for example, how co-workers collaborate with each other.
3. Take action. Take action based on this information you obtained from the above steps. Start by reigniting your network by “going public” with your job search or plans to launch your business. Also find a relaunch buddy, or someone who can keep you accountable throughout this process. Finally, regain subject matter expertise by doing research on your path of choice, taking courses or certification programs, and having conversations with experts in the field.