Sad Truth: Career Changers Live In Hope
As a career coach, workers reveal their souls to me. Not just
clients, where the relationship requires and benefits from, deep
personal exploration -- but complete strangers send me emails,
almost daily, about their work experience, their frustrations
and dreams. Always, they ask, "What shall I do?"
More often than not, they tell me that they've been working on a
career shift for a long time - a year, or longer. And it's clear
that they have made little to no progress on their path.
Granted, career change does take a long time...and people learn
and grow in different ways. But to have worked for a year or
two, and be no further ahead in terms of clarity suggests that,
despite the yearning, career change may not be an important
priority after all. In fact, I'm reminded of a framework put
forth some years ago by coaching industry great (now-deceased),
Thomas Leonard.
Thomas drew the distinction between "wanting" and "being ready".
He described a scenario that we can all relate to personally, or
because we know someone who fits the bill: many people want -- a
healthier body, or a new career, or to be a well-known author --
but few are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work
necessary to reach their goals. "Wanters live in hope", he
explained. "The adrenalin rush comes from the dream, not the
reality of their lives."
Sad, but true. And while career change can be a cat's cradle of
variables that provide near-endless excuses for non-achievement,
all of the variables can be managed. For example, I encourage
workers to 'keep their day job' to alleviate the financial
pressure that causes them to pick 'any old job'.
I provide many approaches to managing fear.
I guide workers through the change process, step-by-step.
I provide a supportive environment...and nudge clients gently
forward.
But the variable that must be managed initially, and by the
seeker alone, is the readiness factor - a willingness to take
the bull by the horns. Career change doesn't happen in a vacuum.
It requires action: soul-searching, testing and planning -- to
name a few of the steps. And, it requires objective feedback
from a mentor, friend or coach who is market-savvy and wise to
the ways of career change.
Finally, it requires consistent focus. Under the best of
circumstances, career change takes one to three years. Without
consistent focus, it will simply fall through the cracks of your
busy life.
For those who desire change, here's how you can tell if you are
living in hope:
1. You have talked about it for a long, long time - without
measurable progress.
2. You've done a bit of soul-searching, but your 'clues' are too
few, and probably not specific enough.
3. You've done the soul-searching and refuse to pare down and
prioritize the many interests you have.
4. You've read a book or two, but kept the process in your head.
You're not "in play" - researching, testing, getting coached.
5. You dabble. Your quest for career change goes in fits and
starts and generally takes a back seat to other circumstances in
your life.
Those who have completed the career change journey successfully
know that, despite the challenges, it is the most rewarding
outcome imaginable. For those, who are willing to do what it
takes, let this be your wake-up call to action.
For those who are not willing to do the work, what's my advice?
Stop living in hope. Let go of the angst, the guilt, the
frustration, for you are only chipping away at your sense of
self. Find another dream that you can embrace fully and march
out after.