4 Reasons Career Change is Hard And How to Make It Easier
Career change is hard because…
1. We’re too busy and stressed out to focus.
Many of us don’t have the time or don’t take the time in our busy lives to really understand what’s important to us. We operate at a constant low level of stress. And this stress can blind us and create tunnel vision. We rush to accomplish the next thing but we don’t really know if that next “thing” is something that really drives our purpose and values. And then we either don’t try a different path because it’s easier to keep moving forward with what’s familiar or we question our decision making because we get overwhelmed and can’t remember what’s important to us.
2. The unknown is scary.
Humans are creatures of habit and we default to doing things that come easily. When we start to make a change, we might question whether we made the right decision or pick our decisions apart and start to limit our opportunities prematurely. This is totally normal human behavior because our brains are built to help us survive. The brain is constantly trying to predict what will happen next, allowing it to prepare the body and mind in the most effective way possible. In uncertainty, predicting is a lot harder and if you’re potentially facing a “predator”, the wrong response could be devastating. So that’s why our brains err on the side of caution by avoiding the uncertainty altogether or by putting ourselves on alert to respond to any changing situation.
3. We tell ourselves the same stories that keep us stuck.
Everyone has their own view of themselves and their reality. That’s why one person might be able to easily achieve something that someone else wouldn’t dream of doing. We also all have an inner critic that is hard to quiet especially in times of transition. The inner critic (or critical negative voice in our head) often doubts our abilities to change. We’re programmed unconsciously as we grow from children into adults to think a certain way and to survive the best we can with the coping mechanisms that are individual to us. Those coping mechanisms and the stories we create carry into adulthood and without our realizing, we judge situations and write them off immediately. We’ve convinced ourselves that it’s not the right path, even though it very well might be! Your brain just doesn’t see it that way YET.
4. We feel alone.
When we feel alone or different than others, we get discouraged easily. We’re social creatures and when we’re just starting to think differently or want to change, we’ve often started this journey by ourselves. Loneliness can breed negative thinking which awakens your inner critic and demotivates you.
The good news is that all of the elements of transition that keep us from making a successful change can be overcome through simple actions.
Make it Easier by…
Slowing down
Take time to evaluate what your values are and what’s important to you. Write down your top 5 life priorities and stick to these when making decisions on how to spend your time. Find a quiet space or take a walk outside to reset and deactivate your stress levels. Our best thinking comes from a non-stressed or sage state of mind.
Making the unknown more known.
Try to visualize the future you through a mental rehearsal. A mental rehearsal is something champion athletes do and it involves imagined, mental practice of performing a task or achieving a goal as opposed to actual practice. There is groundbreaking, neurological research that demonstrates how mental performance of a task can lead to actual learning and performance improvement.
Trying to change your perspective or story.
The next time you are judging a situation or a decision, pause, and get curious instead. You can also ask yourself what is the worst that could happen? And 99% of the time, the worst scenario does NOT happen. You can also reframe your thoughts through a change in perspective. What if this possibility that I am worried about was actually good for me? Or if you’re dealing with a challenging situation, what if my current situation is actually a blessing in disguise?
Joining a community of like-minded people.
Have a coffee date with someone you know who’s gone through a similar career transition or join a group of people with like-minded interests. It doesn’t have to be related to your career. It’s just a partner or group of people that is learning or going through the same thing. You’ll feel less alone, you’ll build community, you’ll realize there is a world outside of the environment you see day to day, and you’ll be more likely to feel more energized to take action.
And to really feel supported and get through a life or career transition at hyper-speed, hire a coach to keep you supported and accountable along the way. Book a free 30 minute coaching session with me to make sure it’s the right fit.
Not ready for a coach but feeling stuck on where to start with your career transition? Download my free career action planning worksheet designed to get you focused.