I wonder: how has it been for you to see the process of finding exciting, viable options for fulfilling work laid out in the Career Change Map?
Are you feeling...
Relieved?
Excited?
Nervous?
Worried about making mistakes?
I’d imagine it’s a combination of all of the above – and that’s entirely to be expected.
But there are three key pieces of guidance I want to share with you to make the process as smooth, swift and stress-free as possible.
- Don’t try to do everything at once. Instead, be fully in whichever stage you’re in. If you’re in the Discovering stage, throw yourself entirely into the Discovering stage. Be as curious and playful and exploratory as you can, knowing that you’ll get to the reality-testing later on. Don’t try to test and validate your ideas at the same time as generating them – you’ll confuse yourself and undermine your progress.
- Don’t skip stages. I know how much you want to get to the end of the process – I understand how urgent this can feel. But skipping a stage is a false economy, because you run the risk of ending up in yet another wrong career and having to go all the way back to the start of the process again.
- Don’t try to do this alone. Having the map to guide you will make this process much, much easier than it would be otherwise, but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to encounter some friction. Putting a team around you – whether that’s other career changers, trusted friends and family, or a professional – will help you stay accountable, upbeat, and keep you going when things feel tough.
This map and this process is not a quick fix – this is not a ‘Find Your Passion in 30 Days!’ kind of endeavour (we’re not that kind of people, and I don’t think you’re likely to be, either).
It’s going to take time, and energy, and commitment.
Everything that matters, does.
But if you’re interested in creating a career that you’re inspired by, that makes you feel like yourself, and that supports the kind of life you want to live, this is the best way we’ve seen to get you there.
Now, you might decide to start working your way through the map independently, armed with the lessons I’ve shared over the last few emails.
Or you might want to do it with our help, as part of the Career Change Launch Pad.
Either way, a big thank you from me for sticking with me through this series.
It’s been a pleasure to share these lessons with you, and I truly hope you’ve found something in them that makes a difference to how you’re feeling – and going – about your shift.
Warmest wishes,
Natasha
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Natasha
Head Coach, Careershifters