Managing Fear of the Unknown As You Plan Your Career Transition

I just read a wonderful article in The Atlantic a few days ago, entitled “The Happiest Way to Change Jobs.” The author, Arthur C. Brooks, argues that the single biggest thing that holds people back from making a career change is fear of the unknown. He suggests a few evidence-based strategies for managing this fear, including keeping your expectations realistic about what a career change can and cannot do for you and reminding yourself to first seek happiness outside of work, instead of focusing entirely on your professional success. His most powerful suggestion, though, is that people tend to be happiest when they “jump” instead of being “pushed” into a new career. If you are thinking about a career transition, you are much more likely to be satisfied with the end result if you have made the choice to take action instead of being forced by outside circumstances.

This is such an important reminder for those of us fantasizing about a new career but always finding some reason to convince ourselves that now is just not the right time. I can’t stress this enough: it is pretty darn hard to find that magical perfect moment to make a professional move!

One thing that Brooks doesn’t mention, though, is how valuable a compassionate, knowledgeable, career coach can be in helping you take that first step toward your future. It’s so important to have someone who can be an honest and impartial sounding board, helping you to stay true to your strengths and needs, to work through any anxiety you may feel, and to remind yourself to focus on small, achievable goals instead of becoming too obsessed with the big picture all at once. I also find that helping clients cultivate a curious mindset does much to alleviate anxiety, because it helps us to see setbacks or bumps as moments for growth instead of self criticism.

I use a combination of strengths-based and life design-informed career coaching strategies because they offer a clear, manageable, step-by-step framework for helping clients make progress every day toward their goals while, at the same time, acknowledging and having compassion for who they are as individuals. Want to learn more about how a life design or strengths-based career coaching process can help you manage your fear of the unknown and find the confidence to achieve your professional goals? Reach out and we’ll talk about it together!