Why is Career Change So Hard?

Why is Career Change So Hard?

Career Counseling January 26, 2023

Why is Career Change So Hard?

Most human beings cling to comfort, though science has proven that leaving your comfort zone is where the most significant achievement takes place. If it weren't for taking uncertain steps out into a scary world, we would still be living in caves and waiting around for someone to discover fire. Thomas Alva Edison would never have given us the light bulb, 

​Thinking about changing careers can be scary.
 
Most people just stay right where they are, because they are frightened by the possibility of failure. Since they have their family to provide for, they make the justification that they shouldn't tempt fate, since moving to a new career might not turn out so well. So that person sticks with their current career even though they are not happy, years later wondering "what could have been."

Leave your Comfort Zone to Learn About Your Strengths

​Sports records fall every day because athletes keep pushing themselves. They are not happy with their current level of achievement. They want to know how good they can be, so they train and work very hard. They push themselves out of their comfort zone, their regular training regimen. They lift heavier weights, work out longer, and run faster. The result of becoming uncomfortable, training as they have never trained before, is new personal bests and sometimes world records.
 
This is because of something known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law. Dodson and Yerkes were a couple of psychologists who, in the earliest years of the 20th century, discovered that stress leads to achievement. What they found was that significant achievement did not happen until a person took small steps outside of the environment, surroundings, and behaviors where he felt most comfortable.

Small Steps Lead to Big Change

They noted that when someone was put in an entirely uncomfortable, stressful environment, performance was horrible. However, taking small steps outside of a person's comfort zone slowly began to expand the area where that person was happy and comfortable. Over time, it becomes easier and easier to take on new tasks and expose yourself to unfamiliar experiences.
 
If your job is challenging physically or mentally, maybe you are in a wrong career path. Don't take a giant leap, take a baby step instead. Rather than immediately moving from one career to another, why not take a part-time job in a career that interests you? Maybe you can sign up for classes or certification in some field that has captured your attention. These small steps outside of your comfort zone will eventually give you the confidence to move onto an entirely different career if your current field of employment is not working out.

Cut Your Expenses Before You Start Changing Careers

Swapping one career for another can be incredibly stressful. That is the best case scenario. Sometimes, the mental fatigue and anxiety experienced when considering moving to another area of employment can lead to physical and mental health problems. The last thing you should be doing is adding to your stress.
 
This means you should have your finances in order before you decide to start upon an entirely new career path.
 
Considering the cost of a career change, you should already have a budget that you follow religiously. If you don't, start one now. Write down every single outgoing expense and every bit of income. Look for ways to streamline your outgoings, and improve your income. If there is no way you can earn more money, just cut back on your expenses. This will account for automatic savings, which can present a nice cushion if your career change doesn't offer the immediate financial rewards you're looking for.
 
When career shifting, it is common for you to have to start out earning less money than you are now. This is not always the case, but it is much of the time. Having a year's worth of living expenses tucked away gives you the peace of mind to dedicate your mental energy to succeed in your new career. You won't be worrying at the end of the month how you are going to pay your bills.
 
You may also decide to take on a part-time job to make extra money.
 
If you do this, try to get employment that will teach you skills and abilities useful in your new career. A part-time job makes you money two different ways. You get paid for your work and if you are spending a few evenings each week working, those are not nights you are out and about spending money.
 
You may have an opportunity to move into a smaller home or apartment. If this makes sense for you, by all means, do it. Cutting down on your monthly rent or mortgage is a fast way to free up some substantial money. Have a garage sale, or sell some of your possessions online. 
 
If you're serious about changing careers, you don't need a lack of money to make the situation harder than it already will be. Ask yourself some hard questions about the money you spend, and see if you can generate any new income.

​In just 6 and 12 months you could set aside enough money to keep your mental focus on your new career, instead of worrying about your finances.

SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/why-is-career-change-so-hard

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 
Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
 
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