Many folks I work with are adults who are in a deep personal and professional transition. Some have had 15-20 year careers (!) in music, consulting, teaching or law before deciding to change course.
We all know that transitions are hard! So here are some things that have helped those I work with, and might help you manage the very early stages of a career pivot:
· Consider the winding road. Career transitions are rarely linear. Give yourself permission to take very small steps. Maybe that means using a small project to dive deep into an area that aligns with where you want to go.
· It’s so easy to think that securing a paid job in a new area is the only thing that can legitimize your new identity/career path. It can help, but please don’t wait for the ‘big’ thing to come along. Conversations, gigs, new knowledge, networks, and experiments are all steps in the process.
· Pivoting careers = building a new identity. Find time to tune in. Seek clarity and simplicity as you navigate this transition time.
· You know that feeling of resonance or excitement that you feel when something is right for you? You know what I mean! Try to pay attention to this feeling. It can help you discern what is right for you. This can very often be different from what other people advise.
· As you build your foundation in the form of new skills, look outward as well. Build in two directions. Talk to people. Join associations, talks, conferences. Write about what you know and share your insights. Give yourself permission to be visible and to put yourself out there.
· We learn by doing – focus on acting first, and then reflecting, then honing your approach and finding new ways to apply what you’ve learned.
Creating space for yourself to try out different versions of you goes a long way.
You may feel anxious, or doubtful, or uncertain along the way, and this is entirely normal! Consider embracing this shakiness as proof of new possibilities ahead 😊.