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You’re at your wits end and ready to throw in the towel. Working there was not what you thought you’d be doing with your life and yet, you just spent the past few or several years there. You’re frustrated with the job, your boss, the lack of opportunity and with yourself for staying there so long.
Quitting your job seems like a really good idea. You think about the freedom of not having to go to that same office every day and work with the same people, some of whom you have grown to like, others you can’t handle for one more minute.
Then, you start to panic and realize that this job is your sense of security and if you leave, you will be broke and scared that you will be unable to find more work. Fear continues to grow and as you weigh your options, the freedom that you crave seems less attractive than the security you have, even though you are miserable.
Change is hard and scary stuff. The fear or effort it takes to make a change like this is real. I’ve gone through it twice and many of my clients experience the same fears and doubts. After helping so many people with career changes, I have noticed that there are 3 things that consistently get in the way of a successful career change…
- Quitting prematurely, without a plan
- Lacking clarity on what they want
- Needing a job immediately, creating financial stress
When we feel dissatisfaction in our job, we have the choice to do what we can to make things right. However, if we get to a place where quitting is inevitable, we need to start planning an exit. I repeat: DON’T QUIT WITHOUT A PLAN!
A career change can take 3 -9 months, depending on your market, industry and time of year. If you know you want to quit, you will need to map out your exit strategy by getting your resume and LinkedIn profile updated, network with people, search for work and most importantly, get clear on where you want to go.
Clarity is the first thing my clients and I work on because you can’t change careers without knowing where you want to go. By getting clear on your intended direction, you present yourself better when interviewing and networking. When someone knows what they want, they are more confident when they speak and the way they carry themselves.
Finally, one of the biggest obstacles I see is when a potential client wants to get coaching on how to switch careers, but needs a job immediately. This is not a good place to be. If you are financially strained and desperate for work, it will translate in your interviews and networking.
I understand that not everyone has a savings account with enough to hold them over for a few months, but I encourage starting one. Sit down and figure how much money you actually need; this includes all your expenses and enough to comfortably live at your current lifestyle. This is your freedom number. Once you figure this out, you can then decide when you can quit, how much you will need in savings and/or what type of job you will supplement with.
I never advise a person quit their job without having a way to pay for life. This could mean a savings account, a side hustle or staying at their current job long enough to find their next career.
When these 3 mistakes are avoided, career changes can be exciting and hopeful. It’s not worth it to enter your next career full of stress. This energy will be translated to your work and it will only be a matter of time when you may end up feeling the same urge to quit.
My goal with clients is to help them find fulfillment and not just another job. We deserve to be happy at work and feel like we are contributing the way we are meant to. I can’t stress this enough: Clarity is the most important when it comes to making a change. Getting clear helps with direction, fulfillment and purpose.
Career changes are meant to be rewarding and exciting. When we take the time to create change in our lives, it is important to plan, get clear and make sure we are taken care of. Even when things seems impossible, take a step back, breathe and do one thing that will get you closer to your desired outcome. In time, you will create the fulfillment you desire.
*For more information on Career Coaching Packages or to book a free 15 minute consultation.
