The 9 Most Paralyzing Roadblocks to Career Change & How to Get Concrete Results

The 9 Most Paralyzing Roadblocks to Career Change & How to Get Concrete Results

Why is changing jobs/ careers so challenging?

As a mum and career coach, I help parents who desire to grow and make changes in their personal and professional lives. A job transition – especially while parenting – is not linear. There are ups and downs along the way. You must walk a tightrope and balance family life and professional transition. You must consider your own doubts, manage your tight schedule while keeping harmony at home. You must eventually take risks without compromising your family. If you are looking for a career change, I recommend you to find a career that gives you a sense of fulfillment while showing the strength, tenacity, and intelligence to create a great example for your children.

Find below the 9 most paralyzing Roadblocks to overcome when you’re seeking a new career.

Roadblock 01: “I don´t know where to start!”

Do you feel stuck in your career? You would like to start something else, maybe something completely new? But you don´t know what?

• I would suggest that you look at your Zone of Genius. It's time for you to do some deep searching around what your passions are, what your gifts are, and what your values are because that will lead you to your uniqueness, your strengths. When you can find or create a job that emphasizes these 3 aspects, you will be in your Zone of Genius, giving something unique and being able to go the extra mile to achieve your goal. You will create a career as unique as you are… and you will be able to give the best of yourself.

Click to take the exam: Zone of Genius

• Do a list of 100 activities you could do and think about how you could monetize them.

• Dream your life and see what pops up.

• Listen to interviews of career changers, that might give you fresh ideas. This is a very nice website to get inspired.

• What did you love to do between 7 and 12 years old? Could you monetize that?

Roadblock 02:” I am afraid to fail!”

You would like to start a new career, but you are afraid to fail. Well, that is a good thing - that means that you are normal. As a client just told me:” I now understand that I will never feel ready, I just have to start and face my fears”.

• Pinpoint exactly what you're afraid of.

• The worst-case scenario: Answer your “what if?” questions.

• The cost of the non-action: Answer the question “what do I lose if I don´t try”?

• Focus on the process (baby steps), not the final product.

• Remember failure is fleeting but the experience gained is forever.

Roadblock 03:” I feel selfish and guilty!”

There is a different kind of guilt: You can feel guilty about chasing your own happiness. “Well, at least you have a job. you don’t have a right to complain.” You can feel guilty about pursuing a career while you have little children at home. „You should enjoy your children while they are small and need you. You can feel guilty because if you spend more time creating your career and practicing it, then you'll be putting your family to work - getting them out of their comfort zone too so you can achieve your personal and “selfish” dreams. You can feel guilty because the family's financial health may falter, and you have the feeling of jeopardizing the security of your family, and again for your “selfish” dreams.

• The cost of the non-action: Answer the question “what kind of values do I perpetuate in my family if I don´t try”?

• The gain of the action: Answer the question “what do I give to my family if I try”?

• Just know that: Your children aren't "suffering" because you choose to pursue your career. Have a look at this study.

• This is the best way to rebalance the role at home and rebuild a stronger family, to build a better team. One for all - All for one.

• Think that if you feel happy and share your happiness with your family, they will feel happier too.

Roadblock 04: "I am not good enough".

So, you doubt your abilities, and you feel like a fraud. I have interviewed more than 100 people within one year. I have coached hundreds of people; I have been coached in groups with inspiring people and the imposter syndrome was always omnipresent. You are not alone.

• Celebrate all your actual successes.

• Find the Affirmation/ Mantras that will boost your mindset.

• Bridge back to your past successes and remember your mindset and the strategies you used.

• Self-awareness: Know your weaknesses and accept your strengths.

• Ask for feedback and accept them (The positives and the negatives)–always look at improving yourself.

Roadblock 05: "I am afraid of the reaction of my environment"

I just ran a poll on LinkedIn, and it seems to be one of the biggest fears (Fear of Judgment 46% against Fear of change 31% and fear of the effort involved 23%). So here again, you are not alone.

• Find your fan club. (Find people who support your project)

• Know that in most cases, people will judge you so they feel better about themselves. It has nothing to do with you. Ignore them and say “thanks for sharing” In some cases, you will suppose it is a judgment, but it might be a constructive criticism. So, accept the critic, thank the critic but resist letting others define you. Ask questions like “thank you for sharing, what makes you think that?”.

• Be aware of your inner critic – because it is the one judging you the most. The moment you stop judging yourself, you eliminate the power of the judgment of others.

• The power of preparation: Answer these questions: “What judgment do I fear will come from my opening up? “ and “how can I react if I feel judged this way?

• Surround yourself with people who are on the same path or who have already taken steps.

Roadblock 06: "I can´t offer the Change!"

Sometimes the scary prospect of managing our finances can stop us from even considering a career change.

• Run the numbers: define your financial needs!

• Review your savings: define your resources!

• Find some help: define possible supports (state, company, family, crowdfunding, etc.)!

• Side Project: Start your career change with extra gigs – don't throw everything away without preparation!

• Think about passive incomes that will help to bridge between 2 careers (Real Estate, Trading, etc.).

Roadblock 07: "My partner does not approve!"

Now that you are aware of how changes can be difficult, you can understand that your family might have some concerns. So if you are contemplating making a scary career decision and are wondering how you can get your loved ones behind you:

• Be patient and understand them - They might need time to accept the situation. Don´t get too defensive and give them time.

• Communicate at another level: I use Non-Violent Communication. This method will help you to communicate at another level and will help you to discover the emotions and fear of your environment (and yours).

• Be realistic - talk out the details with your partner. What are your strategies? How long will you need to make it work? What are the different steps?

• Find support somewhere else. Look at what kind of support you need and go and find it somewhere else. Build a new circle of inspiring people.

• Involve your family/ children in your successes and tasks. That will give you an extra boot and create extra bonds. Celebrate with them as a team.

Roadblock 08: "It is too much work! "

Changing careers involves a mental, emotional, and possibly physical investment. Will you have the energy to meet the challenge? Will you be able to do everything at once (family activities, work, maybe study, etc.)? Here are some tips to help you overcome this fear:

• Look at the baby steps and not at the whole picture.

• Always remember your “why”, the passion that drives you and you will feel the energy.

• Ask for help. Ask your family, friends, and institution. You don't have to do it all by yourself.

• Look at your priorities and simplify your life.

• Look at what will go right - Don't look at what could go wrong.

Roadblock 09: “What if this is the wrong move?”

Maybe I will do the wrong move, wrong change. The idea of a leap fills you with terror – and yet the thought of another year in your current career is just as scary. So, what to do?

• Clarify your vision: Redefine where you want to go.

• Clarify your "why": Why do you want to go in this direction?

• If your bills would still get paid, and your fear would melt away: answer this question: what would you do more likely? What kind of career choices would you make?

• A job transition – especially while parenting – is not linear: It is a journey of learning and experimenting, bringing to life what you have in your mind.

• When we start a career change, it is an adventure, and we can never know where the path will lead us. Sometimes things turn out in a good way, however, it’s not what you had planned, so just be ready for the opportunities that arise.

Which Roadblock does make you most uncomfortable? Why is it so?

I hope this was useful dear Reader - let me know how your career change progresses! If you'd like to implement some creative strategies right away, book a free coaching session of 30 minutes.

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Who I am:

Hi, my name is Christelle Pillot, Following over 15 Years of Personal Development, 10 Years ago, I started my career change from Chemical Engineer to now being a full-time coach and trainer.

At that time, I was depressive, and my children were all younger than 5 years old. It wasn’t easy at first. I’ve been where you are. I’ve asked the same questions:

Is the effort truly worth it?

Am I capable?

How can I stand out from the crowded marketplace?

Will my marriage survive the transition?

Will I still be available for my children?

Well, these 9 Roadblocks I shared with you can be overwhelming when you want to change career and you still have to take care of your family at the same time. Many business coaches don't take this last part into account enough and this is where a big source of failure lies. So, I have overcome all challenges, transformed my private life, and successfully created my own business finding solutions and tools for each problem. For the last 10 years, I have been using these technics with my clients, helping them find their dream job and have more fun in life. 100% of my clients following my program have started/succeeded in a career change. Are you ready to have more fun & ease in your life and seek your new mission? Let's get started!

Click the button for a free session with me.

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See you Online soon!

Christelle