How to Increase Our Capacity for Career Change
As I’ve experienced many times over, it is ok to reinvent your career as many times as you want. It is safe to do this and the learnings are immense. I believe that we should explore all the ideas that take up real estate in our hearts and minds if we can. And that if an idea for a career change, creative project or other calling is always present, you may want to give more time to understand exactly where you are being led.
I have reinvented my career so many times and don’t intend to stop. Here are some simple practices that have allowed to open the doors to each new iteration of my career path:
Carve out time each week to explore what this new curiosity is all about. Consider this a discovery phase. Let’s say you gave yourself 2 hours per week (maybe not all on the same day, but maybe yes if your schedule allows). Get lost on Pinterest or Substack or your favorite place to hang when gathering information and imagery related to this new curiosity.
In this scheduled exploration time, take notes. Gather information about what you need to learn, what kind of schedule would this new career path require, where can it be studied? Start to compile your learnings in one place and even document your thoughts, feelings, doubts and inspirations related to this new path.
In this exploration phase, don’t discount any feelings or emotions that come up. Just because you may feel not talented enough or able to commit to the schedule required for more training, just write it all down without judgement. Doubt is very, very normal and often many people stop at this point because they feel that doubt must mean it is not a right path for them. This is not necessarily true. Which is why the next tip is even more important.
Confide in someone who knows you well. Meet with them and discuss what you are wanting to do and what you are learning in the exploration phase. If you are doubting a lot, tell them. If they know you well they will remind you about yours strengths that you are probably forgetting while confronted with doubt. Allow this person to offer feedback, motivation and praise to help you move through any doubt. Meet with them often if necessary. Change takes time, because seeing ourself as someone else can take time. I wish embodiment was instant but many times, we need to be patient with ourself and keep going.
Practice discernment. Discernment is not doubt. Discernment is wisdom. At this phase discernment will help you realize if this new path is truly right for you. Like, truly truly right for you. For example, I once accepted a job that I thought was my dream job. I was so excited about the company and the salary that I did not even look at any red flags (and there were many!). I thought I could ignore them all but I was wrong. I ended leaving the job in 6 months because had I practiced more discernment, I would have learned that the company was not the right fit.
With these 5 tips, you will increase your capacity for exploring career change. You may find that yes, you are indeed ready to keep going or you may find that a different path should be explored. But what we do when we approach change from these practical steps is that we move past doubt, fear and open ourselves to possibility and a totally new expresssion of ourself.
