The emotion that comes across the strongest when my clients start considering a change in their career is fear. Obviously, any change is unsettling and it is only natural to be fearful.
The part I don’t quite understand is the following. How can fear of the unknown be bigger than the frustration and exasperation experienced on a daily basis? Somebody who was going through a messy divorce once told me: “If I stayed, I was going to die (emotionally). If I left, I had at least a shot at survival”. This is my motto every time I face a tough decision (and trust me, I’ve had had a fair share of those). Whatever your level of “readiness”, here are a few steps you can take to get yourself out of the deepest fear.
1.) Start easy. Career change, like any other kind of change, requires structured and well-considered steps (well, at least it does during my coaching process). These steps can be tailor made to your level of courage and readiness. Therefore, it is important to choose your first steps wisely, especially if you are going through the process alone. At this stage, your only objective should be to build your self-confidence to the level where you start to believe your desired career change is achievable for you. Pick the steps you can achieve easily, like making a phone call or surfing the Internet. Achieving these easy steps will get you out of the rut and give you a good foundation for the next phase of the process.
2.) Identify as many people as possible who are engaged in your desired job or business and research them thoroughly. How did they start? What skills do they possess? How did they go about obtaining this job/business? It is always easier to fight for something when you know for certain that somebody else achieved the same before you. You can skip a lot of mistakes by learning from such individuals; approach them and appreciate their help, you will move ahead much faster.
3.) If possible, share your plans and your desire for a new career with your friends and family. This will help you in two ways: the more people who know about your plans, the more people can spread the word and possibly connect you with the right people. At the same time, by talking about it, you will feel more obliged to follow through with your plans.
These steps are aimed specifically at those who are interested in a career change but are struggling with fear and feel overwhelmed. However, they can be used by anybody who is looking to kick-start a career change (or any change for that matter). If you feel you would like to avail of my coaching services to give yourself more support on your journey, get in touch: natalie@lbcareercoaching.com
Author Bio:
Natalie Ekberg is an entrepreneur who over the past 10 years has developed a diverse background in helping business professionals from various sectors internationally; make major life changes. Making five radical life transitions her self each involving a big move to a different country, requiring that she dismantle and recreate her career, lead to her becoming
“An expert in navigating major life changes with ease, grace and an enlivening freedom and joy.”
Natalie Ekberg.
Copyright: LB Coaching 2013