One of the questions my readers ask me is how to overcome fear when you want to start something different. In this case you are very excited to start something new, totally different from what you were doing until now, but fear paralyzes you. I know perfectly what it feels like, since I left 11 years of career to start my business as a coach, which meant two different things: going from scientist to coach and from employee to entrepreneur. Two radical changes.
As I always say, it is important to identify exactly what you are afraid of. It is probably a mixture of things: to fail, to not measure up, to repent, to the criticism of others. But if you focus on fear you will never get out of there. I have already commented several times that the important thing is not to overcome fear but to keep going despite it, because fear will always be there. It will change its name as you go, but it will always be there for you, so it is essential not to let it paralyze you, swallow your nerves and move on.
I started with a tremendous fear of regret, more than anything because science was a pure and hard vocation and it is more scary to leave something that you are passionate about than to leave something that you have never liked. In case it's any consolation, I haven't regretted it once. On the other hand, what people think has never impacted me too much (at least until now) but I did decide to distance myself a little from certain people or not to touch on the subject because the negativity I received overwhelmed me.
That was followed by fear of failure and a resurgence of impostor syndrome, totally normal when you start something new. Of course, being normal does not mean that you do not have a bad time! So what can you do to overcome this phase (in my opinion one of the worst of the career change) or at least to take it in the best possible way (don't kid yourself, you're going to have a hard time, it's normal, not that be a weirdo or a coward):
- Be very clear about the reasons why you make the change, that for you they are a motor. In my case, what motivated me the most was not being a coach but having my own business, with the flexibility and freedom that that implies and I knew that if I did, I would not regret it because it was exactly what I wanted. And you, why do you want to make the change? To do what you are really passionate about, to have the lifestyle you have always wanted, to show yourself something. May your reason overcome all your fears, may it be the engine that drives you when you have no strength. Do not underestimate the power of a good why, so the fear of repentance will not affect you as much because you will know what you really want. Try it first before launching. One of the reasons for fear and uncertainty is often the lack of information.So one of your tasks is to have as much information as possible about what you want to do, because one thing is what you believe and another, sometimes very different, reality. Talk to people who are dedicated to it (and do well), volunteer, give it a try! Having the most information and having tried it greatly reduces anxiety. You do not have to jump into the pool at first, you can put a finger in the water first to get an idea. Do not give it too many laps. It's okay to seriously consider it, but there comes a time when you have to risk or continue in that limbo of self-feeding limiting fears and beliefs. If you are clear about your reasons, have enough information and are willing to do it, make up your mind! In my case, after going around it a thousand times, talking to several coaches and staying exactly the same,I decided to jump into the ring because I was tired of that state of blocking. My thought was: "If it works out, well and if not, I'll find my life." Commit yourself and always keep in mind that you are a person with resources and that if things don't go the way you want, you will adapt well, you will manage. The most important thing in the face of changes like this is to commit yourself 100% because the beginnings will be hard, but whoever follows it gets it. The important thing is to persevere and be aware that if things don't work as you thought, there will always be more opportunities. That's the best thing about starting something new, that you start meeting new people and possibilities open up that you've never considered before.Commit yourself and always keep in mind that you are a person with resources and that if things do not go as you want you will adapt well, you will manage. The most important thing when faced with changes like this is to commit yourself 100% because the beginnings will be hard, but whoever follows it gets it. The important thing is to persevere and be aware that if things don't work as you thought, there will always be more opportunities. That's the best thing about starting something new, that you start meeting new people and possibilities open up that you've never considered before."Commit yourself and always keep in mind that you are a person with resources and that if things do not go as you want you will adapt well, you will manage. The most important thing in the face of changes like this is to commit yourself 100% because the beginnings will be hard, but whoever follows it gets it. The important thing is to persevere and be aware that if things don't work as you thought, there will always be more opportunities. That's the best thing about starting something new, that you start meeting new people and possibilities open up that you've never considered before.there will always be more opportunities. That's the best thing about starting something new, that you start meeting new people and possibilities open up that you've never considered before.there will always be more opportunities. That's the best thing about starting something new, that you start meeting new people and possibilities open up that you've never considered before.
When you jump into doing what you really want (at least at that moment, what you want can change), the satisfaction of having tried it far exceeds the fear of losing something. It is clear that when you choose one path you leave another behind, but if the one you choose is the one you really want, even if you look at the other with affection and some nostalgia you will not regret it, because you will know that you are where you want to be.
