Overcoming the challenges of mid-career change

 Hello, and welcome to the podcast!

 This is episode 102, and today, I’m talking about something that’s close to my heart—overcoming the challenges that show up when you’re considering or making a mid-career change.

 Changing careers mid-way through your journey can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. It can be daunting, confusing, and let’s face it, sometimes downright scary.

 But here’s the kicker—those challenges you’re worried about? They’re not roadblocks; they’re hurdles. And today, we’re going to learn how to leap over them with grace and confidence.

 But first, let’s set the stage. Remember, you’re in the driver’s seat of your career. That means navigating through the twists and turns of a career change is well within your control.

 So, buckle up, and let’s hit the road!

Let’s kick things off by talking about one of the biggest internal challenges people face when thinking about a career change—lack of confidence.

 Now, confidence is like the fuel in your car. Without it, it’s tough to get anywhere. But here’s a little secret: confidence doesn’t come from just thinking about making a change. It comes from taking action.

 Successful career changers know this. They don’t wait to feel confident—they start taking steps, no matter how small, and as they move forward, their confidence builds.

 Take Mary Beth Hazeldine, for example, who I interviewed on this podcast. She didn’t wait until she felt 100% confident before diving into her new career path. Her mantra?

 "Feel the fear and do it anyway."

 First, she owned and ran a restaurant, and then she launched her own business in personal development. Her story shows that bold action, even when it feels scary, is key to building confidence.

 So, if you’re doubting yourself, remember that confidence will grow as you take action. It’s all about momentum.

Next up, let’s talk about overcoming inertia and taking that first step.

 This is something I see all the time—people spend months, even years, thinking about a career change without actually doing anything about it.

 The process feels overwhelming, confusing, and honestly …

 it’s easy to just keep putting it off.

 But here’s how successful career changers tackle this: they start small.

 Instead of trying to overhaul their entire career in one go, they break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.

This makes the whole process feel less daunting  ….and more achievable.

 Let’s do a quick exercise together.

 Grab a pen and paper, or open your notes app. I want you to write down three small steps you can take this week towards your career change.

 It could be as simple as updating your LinkedIn profile, reaching out to someone in your desired field for an informational interview, or signing up for a relevant online course.

 So, write down three small steps you can take this week towards your career change.

 Got your three steps? Great!

 Now, commit to doing at least one of these this week. Remember, progress over perfection.

 And guess what?

 You’ve already started! By listening to this episode and engaging with the content, you’re taking the first steps on your career change journey.

 Remember what Mark Twain said,

 "The secret of getting ahead is getting started."

 So keep going, one small step at a time.

Now, let’s tackle another big internal challenge: lack of clarity.

 One of the biggest hurdles in a career change is figuring out which path to take.

 You might feel stuck, thinking your current skills limit your options, or maybe you’re overwhelmed by too many possibilities.

 Here’s the thing: there’s rarely just one perfect career for you.

 Successful career changers understand that there are many roles that could be a great fit.

 They embrace the concept of their "many selves," meaning they explore multiple possibilities and stay open to various opportunities.

 So, if you’re feeling unclear about your next step, give yourself permission to explore. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away. Clarity will come as you take action and start trying things out.

 Here’s a fun exercise to help you embrace your many selves.

 I call it the "Alternate Universe You."

 Imagine five different versions of yourself, each in a different career.

 What would those careers be?

 What would your day-to-day look like?

 How would you feel in each role?

 Don’t limit yourself—let your imagination run wild!

 Imagine five different versions of yourself, each in a different career.

 What would your day-to-day look like?

 How would you feel in each role?

 This exercise isn’t about finding the one perfect career.

 It’s about opening your mind to possibilities and getting excited about potential paths.

 About your ‘many selves’ ….

Now, we can’t talk about challenges without addressing the big one—fear. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of rejection, or even fear of judgment from others, these emotions can be paralysing.

But here’s the truth: fear is a natural response to stepping outside your comfort zone.

Successful career changers know that fear will show up, but they don’t let it stop them.

Instead, they acknowledge it and keep moving forward.

Think of fear as a companion on your journey—not a barrier.

When I left my long-term career in public sector civil engineering, it felt scary at times.

Giving up stability and familiarity felt a bit uncomfortable for short while.

But I will be honest with you. What scared me more was the thought of regretting not pursuing a new path.

As I took action, my fears began to dissipate, and I realised that worries are just thoughts about challenges that need attention.

Here’s a powerful technique I use with my clients to manage fear.

I call it "Fear Setting," inspired by Tim Ferriss. Here’s how it works:

1. Write down your fear in detail. Write it down. OK, now what’s the worst thing that could happen?

2. Think about how you could prevent this worst-case scenario.

3. If the worst did happen, how could you repair the situation?

4. What are the benefits of success? What if things work out better than you expected?

This exercise helps put your fears in perspective and turns them from vague, scary thoughts into concrete challenges you can tackle.

Let’s walk through a quick example of the "Fear Setting" exercise using my own experience.

When I was transitioning out of my long-term career, my biggest fear was that my new coaching business wouldn’t take off.

The worst-case scenario I imagined was not being able to generate any income, which would obviously create financial stress and make me feel like I’d made a terrible mistake.

So, I started by writing down that fear in detail:

Fear: "My coaching business won’t succeed, and I won’t have any income."

Then, I thought about how I could prevent this worst-case scenario:

Prevention: "I’ll build a financial cushion before making the full transition, do thorough market research, and start taking on a few clients while still in my engineering role to test the waters.

I’ll also invest in further training and certification to increase my credibility."

Next, I considered what I could do if the worst did happen:

Repair: "If my coaching business doesn’t take off immediately, I could take on part-time work in engineering or consulting to supplement my income while continuing to grow the business.

I could also explore other niches within coaching or explore different business models."

Finally, I looked at the potential benefits of success and asked, "What if things work out better than I expected?"

Benefits: "If my coaching business is successful, I’ll have the freedom to work on something I’m passionate about, set my own schedule, and help people make meaningful changes in their careers.

Plus, the financial rewards could eventually surpass my engineering salary."

By going through this exercise, I was able to see that even my worst fears weren’t insurmountable. I had options to prevent, repair, and ultimately thrive.

This helped reduce the fear and gave me the confidence to move forward with my career change.

I encourage you to try this "Fear Setting" exercise with your own fears. Write them down, work through the worst-case scenarios, and see how you can turn those fears into manageable challenges.

Let’s shift gears now and talk about some external challenges you might face during a mid-career change.

One biggie is work-life balance. Balancing your current job, personal life, and the demands of a career change can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle.

But here’s what successful career changers do: they set aside specific times for career change activities and communicate their plans to their loved ones.

Involving your family and asking for their support can make a world of difference.

Another external challenge is financial concerns.

The idea of leaving a secure job for something new can feel risky, especially when you’ve got bills to pay and responsibilities to manage.

But don’t let financial worries hold you back.

Start with low-cost activities to explore your options. As you progress, you’ll be able to figure out the financial details and plan accordingly.

Here’s a quick tip: create a "career change fund."

Start setting aside a small amount each month specifically for your career change activities.

This could cover the cost of courses, networking events, or even give you a financial cushion if you decide to reduce your hours to pursue your new path.

Remember, understanding these challenges gives you the power to overcome them. Don’t let them scare you—embrace them as opportunities to grow.

Now, before we wrap up today’s episode, I want to leave you with a powerful tool to keep you focused and motivated on your career change journey—your ‘why’ statement.

Your Why statement.

This is your compass, guiding your decisions and actions.

I still use this myself and I use it with all my clients.

So, here’s a quick exercise to help you find your why.

Grab a pen and paper, or open up your digital journal.

Ready? Here goes …

Why do you want to pursue a career change?

What do you hope to achieve in your new career?

What energises you at work?

What impact do you want to make?

Once you’ve got some ideas down, craft your why statement. Here’s a format to help you:

"I’m seeking a career change because I want to [insert what you want to achieve],

and I believe that by pursuing this path, I can make a meaningful impact by [insert desired impact or contribution].

I’m committed to this path because it will allow me to grow both personally and professionally, turning my aspirations into a successful and satisfying career."

Keep this statement somewhere visible—as a screensaver, on your desk, wherever you’ll see it often.

It will be your anchor, especially during those tough moments when doubts and fears start creeping in.

So, here is my why statement.

Here’s what I wrote:

I want a career change to help others find their career paths. By guiding individuals to love their jobs and have great careers, I believe I can make a meaningful impact. I’m committed to this path because it will allow me to grow both personally and professionally, turning my aspirations into a successful and satisfying career.

This why statement kept me motivated and focused, especially during challenging moments.

As we wrap up, I want to leave you with this thought:

challenges are part of any career journey, but they don’t have to be scary.

With the right mindset, you can turn obstacles into stepping stones. Embrace the possibilities ahead, trust in your ability to succeed, and enjoy the journey.

Before we go, let’s do a quick recap of what we’ve covered today:

1. Build confidence through action.

2. Overcome inertia by starting small.

3. Embrace multiple career possibilities.

4. Face your fears head-on.

5. Balance your responsibilities.

6. Plan for your future financial needs

7. Create your ‘why’ statement.

Closing Thoughts

Thanks for listening today. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a review. Until next time, here’s to your career success.

I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.

Remember, the journey of a mid-career change is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development.

So take each step with purpose, stay motivated, and keep your eye on the prize.

And don’t forget—your ‘why’ is your compass.

Keep it visible, keep it strong, and let it guide you through the challenges ahead.

Bye for now.