A common problem for singles (and many career seekers for that matter) is feeling stuck. You’re caught between the old job that you know and trust and the promise of a new career where you could be doing something much better. Even though you may be unhappy, your current job can feel like a comfortable t-shirt or pair of shoes. In your current job you know what to expect; there are no surprises; it’s familiar territory and that’s comfortable. You’re stuck.
Or maybe you feel lost and unsure of what to do next. You want to move ahead, but you don’t know what to do or where to start. Maybe you do know what to do next, but you’re not sure in what order to do it or how to get yourself motivated. Again, you’re stuck.
Just like getting stuck happened for you one step at time, getting unstuck happens in the same way. Even the smallest forward movement will make a big difference. Take it step-by-step.
I’ve come across many career seekers who want to know everything they need to do in order to make a career transition. And, they want to know the entire process before they take any action. This is not what I mean by taking things step-by-step.
If you feel the need to know all the steps before you take one, my advice is this: Just get started. There is no “one way” or one process to make career change successful for everyone. Each person’s plan of action will look different. It depends on your situation, your goals, and how drastic a change you want to make.
Don’t over think what you’re doing here to the point you become frozen and find yourself unable to take any action. You can plan for your career transition to a certain extent but you can’t plan everything, nor can you predict the future. Just get started—know that the plan will unfold as you move forward. Commit yourself to seeing this as an adventure and to trusting your judgment along the way. You will figure this out just like you’ve figured out other dilemmas in your life.
Here’s good news: The sooner you take even the smallest step forward, the closer you’ll be to your new career and something bigger and better. One step at a time.
It has often been said that the number one reason most people don’t start what they want to start, is because they think their simple, small efforts won’t even dent the mountain they wish to move. But that’s exactly how the mountain was formed!
