I want to change my profession. How not to be afraid of change?
What do you experience when you think about changing careers? For example, enrolling in a different program or quitting and taking a different position. It's good when you feel confident in your abilities. But what if there is anxiety at the first thought of change?
Change is a step into the unknown, so it often scares us. Here are some tips for dealing with the fear of change. If you're sure you want to change, but are afraid to act on it, this article may be helpful.
Remember that it's never too late to change
First, let's note this important point that many people stop at the beginning of the journey. Age or a few university courses taken shouldn't get in the way of change. Especially when it comes to professional growth and choosing a job you love. If you understand that you definitely want to change the field, you need to act. Sometimes slowly, sometimes rapidly, but always thoughtfully. We'll talk about that below.
Work with past negative experiences
Often past failures keep us from moving forward. For example, you tried to get into the program you wanted, but the results of the competition didn't get you in. After that you have thoughts that this case is not for you or simply not possible for you.
In that case analyze what caused what happened. Maybe you simply didn't have enough time to prepare for the entrance exams, or there were other reasons. On the shortcomings you need to work, taking into account past experience: calculate the time of preparation, understand where you have gaps in knowledge, how to work on them, and so on. You can gain valuable experience from past mistakes that will help you reach your goal.
Take small steps, set specific goals
When you understand how and where to move, it's easier to start changing. Think it through, set a goal, and make a plan for how you will master the new business. We recently wrote about SMART goals. If you don't know what this technique is, check out the link article. But before you set goals and objectives, analyze:
Your strengths and weaknesses. What is hard to do and what is easy to do? Maybe you're easy to get along with other people, you know how to talk about yourself. Then the job search, networking won't be difficult and you won't have to spend a lot of time preparing for the interview.
Resources. Financial, time, energy and others. What do you already have to achieve your goal and what are you missing? Think about:
How much time and money do you have to study?
Do you know people who are willing to help?
What skills and knowledge for your future profession do you have?
How much energy do you have to complete tasks?
The last question requires special attention. We have jobs, families, studies, and different hobbies. We spend our time and energy on all those things. In order not to burn out, you need to strike a balance between rest and other activities. Therefore, when drawing up a plan, be sure to take into account not just free time, but also the availability of forces and the desire at this time to act. It is possible that after working hours you have a few free hours in the evenings. But it's not a fact that you have the energy to exercise during that time. That way you won't get very tired, and it's easier to find half an hour a day than it is to find 3.5 hours that day in a week.
What to keep in mind going into your work goals
There is a misconception that can prevent you from changing careers: when your hobby is your life, work is always a holiday, because you only do what you love.
Not quite true. Be prepared for routine, just like in any other job. We talk about the problem of routine tasks because when faced with them, it can feel like you made a mistake in your career choice and you're wasting your time with any change at all. Stop and think, is it about these tasks or about your chosen field? Since you decided to master a new field with confidence and interest, it's more likely to be an unpleasant chore. Don't give up! After all, the bulk of the work you're doing is to your liking. With experience you will do unpleasant things faster, so don't give up because of them.
All professionals, including creative ones, have unloved tasks. Unfortunately, they can't always be delegated if you're a freelancer or want to go into business. Sometimes you're the only one who can do that part of the job in the right way, or it's just your job task. A typical example is preparing reports.
A few other important tips
Recognize your responsibility. Remember that your future depends on you. Sometimes external circumstances change the course of your life, but how you deal with them and what you do is up to you.
learn from the mistakes of others. Pay attention to the successes and failures of others. Don't completely adopt their agenda, even if it's successful, because everyone has different resources and capabilities. But a lot can be adapted to yourself, and find out in advance what difficulties may arise.
Don't compare yourself to others. But compare yourself to yourself in the past. Every day you are evolving, learning new things. We all work at a different pace: some of us take a week to complete a task, while you might need two. But that doesn't mean you're inferior. Keep track of your progress and track your personal changes.
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