In the USA, the median number of years someone stayed in a typical professional job was 4.2 years.
So, most of us change jobs twice a decade, and most of those job changes are also involve career changes -- new industry or profession.
Changing your career can be very scary to even consider.
Fear, in all its forms, is the single biggest factor standing between where you are and reaching your dreams.
In my work with career reinvention clients, I have noticed that more often than not, fear of changing careers or fear of change at all rears its head early on in the process.
You are not alone, as most career changers feel afraid at some point in the process. But, recognize when your fear turns to self-doubt, inactivity, and paralysis.
Understand that fear is normal and acceptable as you go through this process.
Some of the more common fears I have heard explicitly and felt intuitively are:
Here are some tips to help you overcome your fears and to help you move to the next stage in your career and life.
Think of a risk you would like to take in this career reinvention.
Then, ask yourself these questions:
What exactly are you afraid of in the reinvention process?
Have a good look at this, and decide if your fear is realistic or irrational. Remember that most of the things you fear won't actually happen.
Reframe your fear by thinking:
You might find that your worst fears are not really as bad as you thought.
This is a great approach for a fear that seems overwhelming. Your initial reaction to a fear might be to avoid what it is you are afraid of (public speaking, hating a new field, etc.).
I have found with clients that if you can break what you are afraid of into small steps, it helps avoid the paralysis and gets you moving.
Identify your fear and then think about some smaller steps you could take to build your confidence, get more information, feel motivated, and move into your comfort zone.
Read my "Testing Options to Find Your New Career" article to see some preliminary steps and other options for testing a new career.
Many clients get blocked in "fear" during the reinvention process because they are afraid of failure or rejection. I help these clients understand and reframe failure.
Failing at something, or not having a new career work out, doesn't need to be a bad thing.
Instead, a potential failure can be an opportunity to gather more information about what you like or don't like so you can learn from it and make better decisions in the future.
Think of failure simply as feedback on what you need to improve. Listen to the advice failure gives you, and you will improve. And success will come.
Many of my clients are not aware that they are afraid as they go through the reinvention process. I try to get them to recognize the fear, feel it, and embrace it. Just observe the feeling in your mind and body without labelling or judging it. If you let it in and embrace it, oftentimes it will lessen in intensity.
Keep yourself in present time. Don't let your thoughts and emotions run away to the future or the past.
Being in the present means not dwelling and obsessing on what has gone wrong and what could go wrong.
This runaway thinking will only heighten your fear to the point that you might feel unable to do anything. Instead, make your plans, and move forward one baby step at a time.
Considering a career reinvention can be an anxious time for anyone. My advice is to understand your fears, address them, and take your career reinvention one step at a time. Life is a learning experience, and so, too, is a career reinvention. Addressing your fears, learning about yourself, and believing in yourself and your career dreams can be a positive and life-changing experience.
Job-Hunt's Career Change Expert, Randi Bussin, founder and president of Aspire!, is a career coach and counselor with more than 25 years of business, entrepreneurial, and career counseling experience, including DISC assessments. Randi has experienced several major career transitions (from corporate to small business owner to career counselor to coach) and personally understands the effort and commitment involved. She has appeared on public television's "Job Doctor," and is a frequent contributor to Bridgestar's Leadership Matters newsletter, The Ladders job-search Web site (www.theladders.com) and her own blog, which offers advice on career transition, job search, and labor market trends. Follow Randi on Twitter @Aspire4Success.
More about this author...
|
We will never send spam or sell your information to anyone, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Read the Job-Hunt Privacy Policy for more information.
Find Jobs in all states
Jobs across the state - not available elsewhere on the Web. Only here.
CareerCast.com
Over 50? Want work?
Real employers who value your experience are looking for you here.
SeniorJobBank.org