Do you feel like you’ve tried everything when it comes to changing career?
A common story I hear from my clients is that they have been trying to tackle their career crisis alone, usually for months or possibly years. They feel like they’ve gone down one dead end after another and just can’t understand why the road ahead isn’t getting any clearer.
So I thought it would helpful to share some of the most common mistakes I see people making and why they often end up getting frustrated and sticking with the status quo…
#1: Job hopping:
This is where you end up moving from job to job without really getting to the bottom of what makes you truly happy at work and gives you a sense of purpose. The problem with this approach is that the novelty of a new role wears off after a few weeks or months, and then you find yourself facing exactly the same issues as before but just in a different setting.
#2: The research trap:
Do you have huge piles of self help or business books by your bed? Do you make endless lists of possible job or business ideas? Do you love doing personality quizzes, tests and assessments? It’s easy to end up down a rabbit hole of research because it feels like you’re doing something proactive to try and change your situation. However you run the risk of being an eternal student if you don’t ever put what you’ve learned into action. The trick is to figure out how to actually turn all that knowledge into a real new career.
#3: Not thinking about the lifestyle you want to lead:
Sometimes we can get carried away with a dream career idea without considering what lifestyle might go along with it. Some industries rely mainly on freelance workers, so is that lack of security something you would feel comfortable with? If you go for that big promotion, the role might require a lot of work travel away from your family. Does that fit in with your values? It’s worth learning more about the day to day reality of a new career before jumping in.
#4: Relying on job ads:
Are you signed up to multiple job alerts? Do you trawl the online jobs boards most days, praying for your dream job to magically appear? The issue with this approach is that if you haven’t got a clear idea of what your dream job actually is, what work environment would suit you or what your unique skills and strengths are, then it’s incredibly hard to spot that mythical ‘unicorn’ job and you can wind up feeling downhearted and hopeless.
#5: Worrying about everyone else:
It’s really common for clients say to me “I have to check with my partner first”, or “my parents are worried about me” or “my friends think I should do X”. They worry about the impact of their career choices on everyone else which in turn holds them back. The key thing to remember here is that others look at life through their own lens, which has been influenced by their own beliefs and life experiences. They will only see what’s possible based on what they were taught, and that has nothing to do with you and your own journey. You’re the only one who knows what you really want and what you’re capable of.
#6: Following your ‘passion’:
This is career advice that we hear ALL THE TIME but it’s incomplete. For a start, you might have several ‘passions’ and struggle to find a perfect career that includes them all. And passion alone won’t pay your bills, so you will need to figure out how to monetise it and test your idea first to see if there is a market for it.
#7: Getting addicted to ‘quick fixes’:
I get it, I really do. When I was stuck in my last corporate job and feeling really stressed, I’d try to make myself feel better by spending any spare cash on distractions like shopping or holidays. However the temporary high would never last long and I’d soon be back to square one again. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t ever tackle to the root of the problem which is of course, your job.
#8: Overthinking it:
Sometimes the prospect of making a big career change or starting a business can feel so overwhelming that we do nothing at all, and we get stuck in ‘analysis paralysis’. I’m a big fan of getting back in touch with your intuition and sense of play and just following your curiosity. Heard about an evening class that sounds interesting? Sign up. See a book title that grabs your attention? Read it. Have a childhood hobby that you haven’t done for years ? Set aside an hour in your diary and just dabble again. These small steps will reconnect you with yourself and the things that truly fill you with joy.
So do any of these sound familiar? Let me know in the comments which one resonates with you the most.
And if you’ve tried any of these and you’ve been left feeling frustrated then don’t worry, because there is another way.
A way to help you identify a fulfilling new career or business path that plays to your strengths, fits with your values, covers your income requirements and allows you a better work/life balance. Click here to learn more about my coaching programmes.
I’ll speak to you soon,
Juliette
