If you are considering changing your job, starting from scratch or doing something totally different from what you are doing now, you are probably going through a period of stress, doubts, insecurity and also hope.
This mixture of feelings is completely normal because abandoning the known to go into something new is not easy. In most cases it takes time, energy, and attention (especially if you're trying to figure out what you really want). But starting something new is also very exciting and rewarding, so before I let doubts and fear stop you, I want you to take into account these seven recommendations that have personally helped me to move forward and take risks despite fear:
- You are not too young, old,… (or any other excuse you are making)
Those kinds of thoughts are an excuse to hide the fear of not living up to, of failing, of changing… The best thing you can do is find out what scares you and how you can make it less scary. Your career is part of your life, not your whole life.
You can, and indeed should, develop your professional career around your life and not the other way around. Identify how you want to live, what makes you happy, so that you are able to make better decisions about your professional choices. Your professional choices and preferences will change over time, and depending on the experiences you have.
So when making decisions always keep in mind your current situation, the priorities you have now. What you wanted at 20 or when you were a single student may not match what interests you at 30, 40 or if you have family, for example. It is important to know what you are good at, your skills, but it is much more important to decide which of those skills you want to use in your day to day. You don't have to do something just because you are good at it, you can choose what you really want to do. It is very important to know what motivates you because that will keep you productive and lively.
Take your time to think about what makes you get going and feel full of energy. Maybe motivating you is helping others, or your achievements are recognized. Other examples are: being considered an expert, working on your own, having a good relationship with your colleagues or your boss, etc.
Determine yours and it will be easier for you to recognize which work environments best suit your preferences. For example, if what motivates you is having a good relationship with your coworkers, a very competitive environment is probably not a good choice, no matter how good the salary is. However, if a luxurious life motivates you, then salary would be an important determinant. Don't stop learning
Today it is very important to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. If you are currently considering a specific position, try to speak to someone who is doing it for advice and how the person prepared for the job. This way you will know what you have to learn or improve and you will be better prepared when the opportunity comes.Always keep your professional objective in mind and think strategically about each job you accept.
Accept only those that bring you in any way closer to your ideal job or profession. That includes jobs that even if they don't seem to be related to your final objective, help you develop or learn skills that you can later transfer. Do not accept a job for its own sake, for no apparent reason, unless you need it financially.
These are some of the recommendations that I share with my clients to help them change their profession or feel more satisfied with their current position, and that I have also taken into account. I hope they are useful to you and give you strength to encourage you to take that great step.
