Feeling frustrated with your career situation? You’re not alone.
This was a tough year for many career changers and job seekers. Record job layoffs in technology and other sectors and a tilt back to employer control in the hiring process defined much of the year. For many, the job search process was just frustrating. I’ve lost track of the number of clients who shared nightmarish stories of endless rounds of interviews with no decision or candidates who put in the work only to be ghosted. And, for career changers, an uncertain economy filled with rising interest rates, high inflation, and massive uncertainty kept many in a holding pattern versus making a change.
And those aren’t even the roadblocks or gremlins.
In my coaching work, inquiries from individuals dancing with the idea of doing something different in their careers versus pursuing a like-kind job have grown considerably. However, for many who toy with the notion of a new career direction, there are gremlins and blockers that often keep them from moving forward. Here are five statements I’ve encountered in the past few weeks and my thoughts for moving beyond each. (Hint: you’ll hear a theme in my guidance.)
Five roadblocks that keep people from moving in a new career direction.
1. “I know I want to do something different, I’m just not sure what that might be.”
Art: You’re not alone. You have deep experience, ample accumulated wisdom, and a unique set of skills, yet figuring out the best place or way to shift to seems daunting. For too many, this is the issue that keeps them locked into jobs they don’t like and careers that are uninteresting.
My counsel is to give yourself the freedom to cast a wide net. Generate a big list of ideas, regardless of feasibility. And then explore the ideas, seeking the few that might fit your life priorities at this stage. After that, it’s time to explore and then experiment. Don’t let the lack of ideas keep you locked into a bad situation.
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2. “Even though I hate my job, I can’t afford to give up my paycheck.”
Art: No one wants you to take a vow of poverty to shift careers. Very few of us can jump off the gainfully employed track and spend time finding ourselves. Instead, adopt a parallel-track approach where you work on identifying and experimenting with ideas while drawing a paycheck. Once you find the idea that fits—you have the skills, interest, and the idea is marketable—build the plan to make a transition that doesn’t leave you wondering how to keep a roof over your head.
3. “I’ve thought about reinventing. It sounds appealing, but I only have seven years until retirement.”
Art: Ugh! Here’s a reframe: time is wealth. Don’t squander your time doing something you hate, hoping for a long retirement free from illness. We all know too many people who bet on a tomorrow that never materialized. Now is the best time to begin the work of identifying that next role, vocation, or approach that allows you to be at your best.
4. “I’ve been successful. The kids are finished with college, and the house is paid for. It’s time. I’m just not sure how I turn my success into significance.”
Art: Congratulations on your success! Here’s a bold claim: your best work is still in front of you. The shift from success to significance is one many consider as they move to later life stages. The challenge is narrowing the options and choosing something that gives you the psychic reward while allowing life flexibility. It’s easy to misfire on this. Explore and experiment.
5. I know what I want to do. I don’t know how to get there.
Art: You’re one of the rare individuals who knows where to go next. The challenge is one of experimenting with different approaches and business models until you confirm viability. Then, it’s a business planning process. Stop waiting for the perfect time. It’s now.
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Hear a theme in my responses? It’s about action.
Ideate.
Explore.
Experiment.
Evaluate.
Refine and/or go back to Ideate.
Designing “next” in your career is a full-contact activity where action begets insights, and insights turn into opportunities. This is the antithesis of a traditional job search where you are shoved into a narrow slot only to end up in a like-kind role where you ultimately realize everything’s the same but the logo and people.
The Bottom-Line for Now:
If doing something different is on your mind, don’t sit there and wait for enlightenment. No amount of introspective navel-gazing will get you to your next career destination. Make a big list of ideas. Go wild with divergent thinking. Start exploring. Spend time tuning into your true priorities at this life stage. And then start exploring and experimenting. Don’t let the orange cones keep you from moving forward.
Happy exploration!
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If you want to join a dynamic environment and work with a coach and cohort for 90 days to design/find your next, check out our Career Reinvent Coaching + Cohort Program, kicking off in January 2024. Questions? Drop me a note at [email protected]
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