CAREER TRANSITION MYTH #1

“It’s too hard. I can’t do it.”

This column is the first in a series about the myths people hold about career transitions – from “It’s too hard” to “I can’t make money doing what I really want to do.” As a result of these widely held misconceptions, many people find themselves frustrated, stuck and unable to move out of their current situation into a more suitable and fulfilling one.

As a coach who specializes in helping people navigate through the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that come with a transition, I’ve seen firsthand both how much hard work these career leaps require, and how rewarding and fun they can be. Part of the problem are the myths that surround making this kind of life change are about how it is “supposed” to be, not about how it actually is.

I’ll start with the truth: making a change is hard. The first myth, however, is that making a career transition is too hard. That line of thinking inevitably leads to: “I’m finding this tough, so maybe I can’t (or shouldn’t) do this. Something must be wrong with me.” Worse, many of us seek a career path that will satisfy us for the rest of our lives. This sets up an extremely difficult problem. And it’s the kind of thinking that will keep you feeling stuck in a career you don’t want to be in.

The truth is, instead of choosing a profession that might satisfy our needs, values and passions, most of us are encouraged to figure out our most marketable skills, then find a job where we use them. Worse, many of us assume that a career choice made in our 20’s (or 30’s or 40’s) will satisfy us for a lifetime. As a result, we don’t develop the skills necessary to make successful transitions. We don’t know where to start. No wonder we feel stuck.

But the process may be simpler than you think. Start with a basic question: “What do I like to talk about?” This is often where I begin with my clients. I call it the “conversations” homework: begin to observe and keep a record of the conversations that you enjoy, and those you do not. Notice what piques your curiosity, what engages you – and when your eyes start to glaze over. Do you like to talk about sports, fashion, real estate, gardening? Just paying attention to what you conversations excite you and which do not will begin to give you insights about where you want to go. Record what catches your interest. With some reflection, the answers will emerge.

When I first met Shelby, she was leaving a consulting job she didn’t like and agonizing over an offer to do marketing at a database software company. I asked her, “What will it be like to talk about database software all day long?” She turned white, realizing that the conversations she would be having at work would bore her. What did she love to talk about? After some exploration, she realized that one of the many things she loved talking about was art. She was passionate about art. So, she spent a long time exploring various jobs in the art world, from gallery owner to consultant. Ultimately, Shelby joined a company selling fine art on the internet – where she got to talk about art all day long.

Your process may not be quite as straightforward. Roland was not excited about managing big construction projects, but he couldn’t see a pattern about what he did like. Over time he kept notes about what engaged him, and working together, I pointed out the theme: whenever he was in a conversation with someone who worked for him about how they could grow professionally, he was excited and engaged. He also loved discussing organization design with his boss – something he didn’t even realize. Gradually, he changed the structure of his work to focus more and more on the people side of things – and a year later took over as head of Human Resources in his firm.

Getting clear about what interests and excites you by paying attention to your conversations is the first step toward developing the skills you need to create your career transition. As you develop these skills, the transition will begin to feel easier – and certainly more fun. If you stick with it, even when it is a bit more difficult, you will find your way to a new, more fulfilling career.

Coaching facilitates the process of transition by helping to break down the myths that hinder change. Work with a coach -- your transition will be easier and more effective.

Write to me with any inquiries about coaching or questions about your own transition at ricki@careerfables.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Ricki J. Frankel

An Executive and Career Coach for nearly decade, Ricki J. Frankel works with people who are making big transitions in their lives. Her clients are ready to take the next step and play a bigger game. She is hired by individuals, and by organizations to coach their individuals and teams. Typical clients are senior professionals and entrepreneurs who want to pursue more fulfilling career paths, become better leaders and managers, get promoted, start or grow businesses, follow their passions -- any and all of the above! Ricki is deeply committed to supporting her clients in creating what they want – both at work and in the rest of their lives. Using a combination of sharp insight, intuition, compassion, truth telling and laughter, she coaches her clients through the process of creating the change necessary for them to have the work and the lives they want.

Prior to making her own transition beginning in 1995, Ricki held senior product and marketing management positions at both Sun Microsystems and Autodesk. Prior to that, she worked at Apple Computer She has a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. She holds coaching certification from the Coaches Training Institute, is a Facilitator for the Inter-Personal Dynamics class at Stanford Business School, and has served on the board of several non-profits. Her web site is www.rickifrankel.com, and she can be reached at ricki@careerfables.com.