Having fun and being scared is a temporary feeling during this Halloween week. However, when you are staring fear in the face by making a career change, it’s not that appealing. Most people wouldn’t enjoy the thrill of having their career stall out because of fear. Yet that’s what happens when you allow fear to take over.
It’s not uncommon for most who think about making a career change to feel a good measure of anxiety even if change is a positive move. It’s normal to feel a little fear along the way as you face the “unknown” factors related to a job search. However, your feelings can be the glue that keeps you from making progress.
You are not alone if fear seems to be getting in your way toward change. Ann Landers, the well-known syndicated columnist, once calculated that out of the thousands of questions she received monthly, the most prevalent problem from her readers was fear. Concerns about fears left readers feeling stuck and powerless rather than energized and empowered.
A good way to get started in diminishing fear is to look at it from a different perspective when it tries to block your progress. Keeping the acronym of FEAR in front of you serves as a good reminder when start taking the first steps toward change: “False Evidence Appearing Real.”
Instead of running from fear, accept that it’s part of the process in changing careers. Looking at fear for what it really is helps you gain a broader sense of possibilities rather than limitations.
In developing a fearless strategy, start by listing the top three areas that cause you the most concern and apply logic to them. For example, if meeting people at a professional event creates fear for you, ask yourself, “What’s the worst that can happen?” and see what happens to your fear level. Most likely you’ll discover that what you have been calling fear is really discomfort.
The next step is applying “What’s the best thing that could happen?” to your concerns. Your answers will often confirm how fear is keeps you from moving forward in life.
One of the keys to unlocking fear is to take a few minutes to evaluate your self-talk. Pause, take a deep breath and assess your steps before and after you take action. Gradually, you will start to gain more confidence and convert the power of fear into a positive change.
Be patient with your progress and give yourself credit when making small changes. Feel the fear and make changes anyway!
What would your career look like if you had no fear?
