How To Get Confident To Change Careers And Prepare Your Transition Strategy
Updated: Aug 21, 2024
Fabienne Prevoo is a Career Coach, who empowers corporate senior leaders to lead with confidence and transition to their dream careers. Her “Dream Career Coaching Program” is a customized system for leaders who feel unfulfilled or stuck in their current careers.
If you are contemplating a career change, chances are you don’t comfortably jump into something new. And when you finally decide to walk through that door, the first one to welcome you there is fear.
Making fear-based choices about your future career often feels comfortable at first. You choose to stay in your comfort zone, not change anything out of fear, and continue in a role that doesn’t feel fulfilling, fun, or meaningful.
But what if you decide to take the leap, and it all works out? Yes, this can happen! You can feel successful, fulfilled, and happy after changing your career - even if you stumble a bit through the doorway to get there. Of course, changing careers is not a decision you will take overnight. It requires a lot of consideration and, more importantly, working on your mindset so that you feel confident.
6 tips to prepare your transition strategy
1. Overcome your fears and limiting beliefs
One way to get insights into your thoughts is to start journaling about the little voice in your head. What is it telling you? Regularly review your notes and challenge your thoughts. How realistic are they? Are they fear-based? Can you shift your perspective into more positive thoughts instead?
2. Assess your skills and competencies
Make a list of all your skills and competencies and start closing the gap toward what is required for your dream career. Start educating yourself in the areas where you need to develop. Enroll in online courses and training, read books, search for a mentor, and start practicing your new skills.
3. Find your sparkle
This one is never easy, and rest assured, you can have multiple things that spark your energy. Some clues can be to ask yourself what you enjoyed doing as a child, what hobbies raise your energy, and what makes you a little awkward in a good way. When you feel happy doing what you do, you are in the flow and forget about time. That’s the spark you need to find! Combine your passion with your talents, and you will be in your element.
4. Keep in mind your why
If you don’t know where you are going, you are walking on a dead-end road. To have a direction, you need to be crystal clear about your purpose, also called your why. One way of doing this is to create a life vision. Imagine your future life with your new career or business. Feel the energy and motivation you get from seeing yourself in your dream career. Keep your why top of mind and repeat it daily as a mantra.
5. Build meaningful connections
Talk to like-minded people who elevate your energy. Surround yourself with the ones who believe in you and don’t make you doubt your plans for your future career or business. Join network groups, build communities, or enroll in a mastermind. Listen to people who inspire you and spark your energy, whether it is someone you know personally or listening to podcasts.
6. Make a financial plan
Start by saving up and assessing your current finances. How much do you need if you would have to survive three to six months without an income? Build a buffer and critically review your expenses. Do you need all your monthly contributions? Can you buy less expensive clothes? Are you paying for unnecessary insurance? Adjust your lifestyle until you have a stable income. Also, you need to calculate how much money to set aside for training and learning new skills.
Consider working with a career coach
With these tips in your pocket, you are well-equipped to take the first steps of transitioning to your dream career and preparing your transition strategy. As said before, the most crucial is your mindset and feeling confident. If this is hard to reach by yourself, consider working with a career coach who can guide you in changing careers and support you in preparing your transition strategy.
Did I lit a fire under you? If you feel ready to take the first step, download my free e-guide on bridging the gap toward your dream career. And remember to say goodbye to fear on your way to your future career!
Fabienne Prevoo, Career Coach for Senior Leaders
Fabienne Prevoo is a Career Coach, who empowers corporate senior leaders to lead with confidence and transition to their dream careers. Her “Dream Career Coaching Program” is a customized system for leaders who feel unfulfilled or stuck in their current careers. She also provides leadership training to companies and organizes one-day retreats for women. Her mission is to lead her best life and help her clients lead theirs with balance, passion, and fulfillment.
