“20 years from now you will be disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
While this quote is inspiring and easy to say, in reality, we all know it can be harder to actually implement. And when it comes to a career transition, it can be scary, even if we have already taken the first step. Our jobs pay our bills, and in many cases, our career is part of how we define ourselves. So making a change in this area can be especially stressful. Here are five ways to make your career transition easier.
Keep a journal. Research shows that writing can have a positive effect on the body, and writing during stressful times helps you more effectively cope with the stress and reduces the negative effects of stress on the body.
Action Step: Pick two nights a week to write down your feelings about your transition. Dedicate 10 – 20 minutes to this in a quiet place where you won’t feel inhibited to write down your true feelings.
Set limits. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by setting boundaries for yourself. Determine how much time you can devote each week, realistically, to your transition so it doesn’t take over all of your waking hours outside of work. Set realistic goals for your transition so you don’t get overwhelmed all at once.
Action Step: Before you begin your transition, decide how much time you can spend each week on it and schedule it in your calendar. Establish 2-3 realistic goals for the next 1-3 months to get you started.
Take care of yourself. Exercise helps to relieve stress and anxiety, and endorphins help you feel happier and energized, so this is especially important during a career transition.
Action Step: Schedule 15-20 minutes of exercise three times a week. Try H.I.I.T. workouts, they are short and effective.
Seek support. Decide who you are going to talk to about your change, who are positive and will encourage you. Also think about who you shouldn’t talk to about it because they may bring you down. Surround yourself with positive friends and family members.
Action Step: Choose your support group. Ask them for specifically what you need, a cheerleader, an objective opinion, or just time to vent when you are frustrated. Reach out to 2-3 people who have succeeded in their own career change for advice.
Focus on the positive. It is very easy to focus on the negative aspects of a career transition, so make a big effort to find something to be positive about daily.
Action Step: Avoid listening to or reading other people’s “horror stories” where careers are concerned. At the end of every day, try to think of at least three positive things that have happened regarding your transition-a new connection made, a conversation with a friend, an adjustment to your resume.
Career transition can be a happy and exciting time full of opportunity. Much of that depends on how often you are able to stay positive, and willing to step out of your comfort zone. So go for it. Explore. Dream. Discover.
HallieCrawford.com was founded by certified career coach, speaker and author Hallie Crawford. Since 2002, the company’s team of certified career coaches have helped thousands of job seekers worldwide identify their ideal career path, navigate their career transition and achieve their career goals. Schedule a free consult with http://createyourcareerpath.com today to learn more about our services.
