6 factors that will make or break your career transition journey
By Jim Wiederhold
Career transition can be one of the most challenging times in a person’s life. For some, the journey is difficult and demoralizing; for others, it is a time of great learning and refining values. The difference between these two types of experiences lies in your mindset. For a positive, successful career transition that helps you grow personally and professionally, pay attention to these factors: passion, attitude, confidence, baggage, expectations, and control.
1. Passion
You have to be driven in order to reach the next step in your journey. There will be good days, but a lot of bad days. If you don’t have passion, then you’ll just roll over and stop doing what you need to do to be successful.
Unfortunately, too many people in career transition are passionate about staying in their comfort zone. Repeatedly putting yourself out there to make connections and find the next job opportunity is uncomfortable, but when your comfort becomes more important than reaching the desired goal, you can’t make forward progress. You must discover what you are passionate enough about to be truly motivated to give your all in your transition journey. Perhaps it’s providing for your family, making a difference in your community, or finding work that is fulfilling. Finding your motivation is an internal process that will require self-reflection.
2. Attitude
Human bias tends to go negative on new experiences. “This whole process is going to be drudgery,” say many professionals in transition. And with that attitude, it will be. Attitude is often a self-fulfilling prophecy, so commit to enjoying the journey. The way you talk and think about finding the next step in your career matters. Instead of talking only about the difficulties, say, “I will meet wonderful people. I will find the next step on my journey.”
