15 Ways To Cope With The Uncertainty Of A Career Transition

1.  Stop over planning – it’s futile when things are constantly changing

2.  Focus on the present. Not the past, not the future. Just the present

3.  Break things down and focus on next steps

4.  Give yourself permission to be a little ‘flaky’ – it’s Ok to change your mind

5.  Give yourself permission to be a little ‘down’ at times. It’s Ok, there’s nothing wrong with you

6.  Surround yourself with supportive people to lean on

7.  Experiment more, not less

8.  Be bold. Forget small steps - start taking big leaps.

9.  Stop over thinking. Listen to your gut instincts and intuition much more than your head

10. Embrace the uncertainty

11. Be open to more than one possibility

12. Be committed to taking forward steps (even when it feels uncomfortable and scary)

13. Be Ok with screwing up and making a few mistakes. You’ll progress much faster

14. Get comfortable being uncomfortable  (the faster you learn to handle change, the more successful your career will be)

15. Count your blessings.  You know where you’re next meal is coming from . You know where you’re sleeping tonight.  So you probably have much more certainty than people less fortunate than yourself. So get some perspective on things...

By Sital Ruparelia

Comments

[Dissertation Sample]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!

[billiesucher]

Sital, this is a great post! I will share it with my clients. I would also add:

Let go of any baggage, anger, or other energy-draining activities. And be done with it. Don't re-hash what might have been or could have been. Take the good stuff with you (good memories, good frienships, valuable life lessons) and let the rest go. Start over from a position of mental strength.

[Kelly]

This came at a perfect time for me. I am just ending one 3-month temp job today and starting on another one on Monday that will go until the end of January. This job that's starting Monday is 20 minutes from my house and twice as much as I have ever made in my life. While I'm thrilled to have this great opportunity, the first thing I said to my husband when I got the job was, "What am I going to do in January when the job ends?"

Thank you very much for this post. It really helped me!

[Melissa]

Wonderful advice! I love how succinct it is. That makes it easy to wrap your head around it. I also like Billie's 16th point.

A 17th point I'd suggest is "Remember to keep a balance." It's a disconcerting time during a career transition, and it's easy to be all-consumed with that aspect of life. Being so singularly focused on just that one area can make a person a little crazy.

[Sital]

Billie & Melissa - many thanks for the additions. Both great tips

Kelly - congrats on the new job. Just focus on doing a great job from next Monday, embrace the uncertainty and variety that comes with contracting....I'm sure the right opportunities will show up for you in January!

[Randi Bussin]

Sital:
This is a great post and I agree with everything you write about. As a career changer myself and as a coach who specializes in this, I would also add:

1. It's okay to not have the answer, or any answer for some time.
2. Self care is key to dealing with the stress of a transition.
3. Buy and read "Transitions" by William Bridges and understand the three pronged approach to any transition-ending, neutral zone and beginning.

[RickSmithAuthor]

Wow, sounds like you read my new book (The Leap)!

I would also add to proactively discover yourself - specifically your unique strengths and passions - the activities you are best at solving, and those you are most engaged in. I created a free resource to do just this at primarycolorassessment.com. It's a great first step from which to create energy - and invest it in the activities in your list above!

Rick Smith

[Sital]

Randi & Rick

many thanks for the comments and further resources

Sital