Learn how to recognize mental blocks of career change
Q: I know it is time to change careers because I feel the Sunday night dreads just thinking about Monday every weekend. My dilemma is changing careers right now when my time is stretched to the max between work and home. I am spending too much time at work, and it is making me miserable. What can I do to break free and start a new career without causing a major disruption?
A: Paying attention to your inner thoughts is an excellent first step toward change. However, daydreaming without a plan can add to your frustration. Anxiety about change tends to make anything look more complicated, and changing careers is doable, but it takes work. It takes effort to move forward.
There is a reason why your current role makes you think about it over the weekend, and it might not be the best fit for you.
Some people who have experienced unhappiness at work tend to focus on everything that makes them unhappy and as a result, can often limit themselves rather than explore options.
For example, you might ask for ways to move your career forward at work by taking on different roles. If compensation is an issue that adds to the Sunday night blues, consider how you would approach the subject with your boss for a promotion or raise.
It helps to get the fear out of your thoughts by listing all the positive aspects of a career change. Going back for certification, training, or furthering your education could be what you need to increase your enthusiasm.
Another mental block that often creates the feeling of being “stuck” is waiting at the right time to make a move. Hoping there will be a perfect time when life settles down and you have more time to concentrate on a career change often creates more angst. The right time happens when you start preparing for a new path and stop waiting.
If your networking skills are lacking, it is easy to have a mental block of thinking you need to know the right people. Networking is a habit you need to keep throughout your career. Staying connected and keeping a give-and-take mindset are great ways to strengthen your relationships.
Even if you have missed staying in touch with people over the years, there is always time to start. Create a list of people you know, groups, or associations in your career field, and start reaching out to them to gather information. The more information and knowledge you acquire about a specific career, the more confidence you have in moving forward.
Mental blocks around needing all the skills required for a career change often stop the momentum needed and keep you daydreaming. Consider that your skills will accumulate over time with technical (hard) and people (soft) skills. Transferable skills such as technical and people skills can cross over industries and can be applied to most career fields.
One of the most important steps you can take for yourself is to stop focusing on the right time to change careers and decide to start.