Contemplating a Career Change

March 2024

As a Career Coach, I work with many individuals unhappy in their current jobs while also apprehensive or fearful of making a change. Many feel stuck in unfulfilling roles, unsure of how to navigate their career paths toward greater satisfaction and purpose. They grapple with a range of emotions, from frustration and disappointment to fear and uncertainty, as they contemplate the prospect of change.

I get it. I was there once too. When we’re in this position of considering different choices for ourselves, we can be overtaken with negative thoughts. Those sabotaging beliefs feel strongly like absolute truths and make it difficult to see the path forward with possibility and promise. But there IS so much more that’s possible for each of us. Reframing or shifting these limiting beliefs can unlock the pursuit of our dreams and provide us much more than we anticipated.

Below are a few of the common sabotaging beliefs that can undermine career fulfillment. Consider if you also have these thoughts and the power they may have over your actions and choices. Do you want things to be different? Read on.

“A job is a job. It’s not meant to provide fulfillment.”

I used to share this sentiment. I thought work was a means to an end. I was losing hope that I’d ever find work that enriched me instead of drained me. I started accepting that as the way work would always be.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. First, we need to recognize that fulfilling work is different for each of us; that’s part of the beauty of life. We each get to engage our inner resourcefulness and explore what is important to us, not someone else. We get to excavate our values and interests and strengths in a very honest and profound way. Doing that self-work can spotlight a new path and open up possibilities much more grounded in who we are. And when we are aligned to our true selves, the spark of fulfillment is ignited. You just need to believe it’s out there for you.

“The work I REALLY want to do won’t support me and my family.”

OK, so let’s say you DO have a good idea of what fulfilling work looks like for you, but you don’t believe you can “make a living” from it. You doubt its financial viability. You avoid allowing yourself to dream about this possibility because you’ve already told yourself why it won’t work. The undercurrent here is often self-doubt and fear.

It's natural to feel apprehensive about taking a risk, but it's important not to let fear hold you back if joy is on the other side. You can also take steps to minimize the risk. Could this fulfilling work be something you experiment with on the side to see what happens? You might be surprised at how things progress when you’re aligned with and enjoy the work.

Planning appropriately can also help. Run the numbers and be honest and responsible about what you really need. In some cases, that may be making less money than you currently are (at least initially), but the upside is gaining more harmony, balance, and meaning throughout your weeks. That holds value too. Choose those things NOW if you have the means to do it. Set the plan in motion NOW towards your ultimate goals, even if you aren’t able to make a seemingly big leap for several years. Time and energy spent in making our dreams come alive is worth it in my book.

“It’s too much work to find something else. I don’t have the time or energy.”

When we don’t feel we can make time for our needs and desires, it’s often a sign of being overwhelmed. And feeling overwhelmed can make it seem impossible to prioritize our needs. To break this cycle, it’s important to make time for what energizes us. When we do more things that light us up, it can magically open up more time to focus on these things.

Envision your ideal career with all the sparks of joy that could be a part of it, and then take steps each week towards that. Every step counts, no matter how big or small. Plus, you don’t have to do it alone. You can outsource some activities to professionals if the task seems too daunting, like revising your resume. The point is to take the first step and keep going.

“I don’t have the skills to do something different.”

I’m familiar with that feeling of imposter syndrome. We think we need so much more training / experience / certifications / [fill in the blank] before we can pursue something better for ourselves. Instead, know and believe that there’s immense value in the transferable skills and experience you ALREADY have. There were a lot of valuable learnings along your career journey and the work you’ve done to date can all inform and support your future direction – don’t discount or underestimate that. Value what you DO offer, and showcase that in where you are headed. You aren’t starting from scratch like you may think.

“I’m too old to make a career change.”

Some people think that once you reach a certain age or stage in your career, it's too late to change direction or strive to new goals. In reality, it's never too late to make a change and pursue your passions. Release any judgment about not having figured it all out already. Start where you are.

The true tragedy would be to spend a lifetime in a career that constantly depletes you while never uplifting you. Career development is a lifelong process of learning, growth, and adapting to change. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find joy in your work now, rather than never? It’s always possible to start anew. Make it happen for yourself at whatever age you are.

“Work will be stressful no matter where I go, so I might as well stay put.”

It’s true that there are a lot of challenging and dysfunctional work environments. You may hear friends and family talking about their own unfortunate situations and come to the conclusion that the grass won’t be greener for you elsewhere. But what if it COULD be? Despite the negative stories, there are a lot of great companies and managers to work for too.

If you have more draining days than fulfilling ones, it’s time to consider other options. When you are working in an environment that aligns with your values and with people who truly appreciate you, it feels less stressful. It’s a choice. Do you want to stay in the same place, or do you want to seek new possibilities that spark more joy for you? You don’t have to settle. What other opportunities are waiting for you?

I know it’s easier said than done. Working on our mindset about this takes time. But by challenging these old beliefs, we can achieve more of our full potential and create a more fulfilling career. And that’s something worth moving towards. Take the first step.