“It’s too hard. I can’t do it.”
undertake -- it requires significant commitment
and energy from both parties. But the results
are amazing and so worth the effort."
Director, Software Development
career transitions - from "It's too hard" to "I can't make money doing what I
really want to do". As a result of these widely held misconceptions, many
people find themselves frustrated, stuck and unable to move out of their
current situation into a more suitable and fulfilling one.
As a coach who specializes in helping people navigate through the
challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that come with a
transition, I've seen firsthand both how much hard work these career leaps
require, and how rewarding and fun they can be. Part of the problem is that
the myths that surround making this kind of life change are about how it is
"supposed" to be, not about how it actually is.
The truth is: making a change is hard. The first myth, however, is that
making a career transition is too hard. Many people say to me, “I’m finding
this really tough. I don’t even know where to start. I can’t do it.” So often
this leads to thinking, “Other people can do it. There must be something
wrong with me” – which inevitably leads to feeling stuck. But there is a
difference between being stuck, and not being able to do it.
After years of working with clients, I have decided the problem is we have
never been taught how to understand what we really want. When we initially
choose a career path, instead of making a choice that might satisfy our
needs, values and passions, most of us are encouraged to start with our
marketable skills, and then find a job which logically matches them. Then,
we assume that a career choice made at one point in time – often right out
of college – will satisfy us for a lifetime. As a result, we don’t develop the
skills necessary to make successful transitions. Often, we don’t even know
where to begin. No wonder we feel stuck.
But the jumpstarting the process may be simpler than you think. For
example, start with a basic question: "What do I like to talk about?" I often
begin here with my clients. I call it the "conversations" homework: begin to
observe and keep a record of the conversations that you enjoy, and those
you do not. Notice what piques your curiosity, what engages you, who you
enjoy talking to - and when your eyes start to glaze over. Do you like to talk
about sports, fashion, real estate, gardening? Just paying attention to what
conversations excite you and which do not will begin to give you insights
about where you want to go. Record what catches your interest. With some
reflection, some answers will emerge.
When I first met Shelby, she was leaving a management consulting
position she didn't like, and agonizing over an offer as Director of
Operations at a storage technology company. I asked her, "What will it be
like to talk about storage all day long?" She literally turned white, realizing
that the conversations she would be having at work would bore her. What
did she love to talk about? After some exploration, she realized that one of
the many things she loved talking about was art. She was passionate about
art. So, she spent a long time exploring various jobs in the art world, from
gallery owner to art consultant. Ultimately, Shelby joined a company selling
fine art on the internet - where she got to talk about art all day long.
Your process may not be quite as straightforward. Roland, a V.P. in a
construction engineering firm, was not excited anymore about managing
big construction projects, but he couldn't see a pattern about what he did
like. Over time, he kept notes about what engaged him, and working
together, I pointed out the theme: whenever he was in a conversation with
someone who worked for him about how they could grow professionally, he
was excited and engaged. He also loved discussing organization design
with his boss, but he did not even notice it because it was such a small
percentage of their conversations. Gradually, he changed the structure of
his work to focus more and more on the people side of things – and a year
later took over as head of Human Resources at his firm.
Getting clear about what interests and excites you by paying attention to
your conversations is one of the first step toward developing the skills you
need to create your career transition. As you develop these skills, the
transition will begin to feel easier - and certainly more fun. If you stick with it,
even when it is more difficult, you will find your way to a new, more fulfilling
career.
_________________________________________________________
Coaching facilitates the process of transition by helping to break down the
myths that hinder change. Work with a coach -- your transition will be easier
and more effective.
Write to me with any inquiries about coaching or questions about your own
transition at ricki@rickifrankel.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
