Wow!!
You’ve just taken a giant step to change career. You’ve left the familiar behind (for better or for worse) and you’ve found the motivation, the energy and the resilience to work through a big transition. Amazing! You’ve achieved so much!
And yet there may be unexpected anxieties and an annoying niggling feeling that you may have made a big mistake. You may be missing people, ways of working and a lifestyle that you’d previously taken for granted. You weren’t expecting this and you may be wondering if it’s too late to go back….
So.. how to survive the early days in a new career?
1. Appreciate the resources you’ve drawn on so far to get you where you are now. Recognise that you need to draw on them for a little longer while you learn about your new career. For many of us friends are an enormous source of support and strength. If you have friends in your new career may be they can support you through the first 100 days.
2. For many people negative emotions eg anxiety, lack of confidence may increase slightly 3-6 months into a new career and this takes them off guard. Recognise this is a completely normal reaction as we adjust to change. You have lots to learn to and you CAN do it! Don’t get too impatient that you’re not learning quickly enough… Take one day at a time and YOU WILL start to notice that it’s getting easier and you’re smiling more. Try to allow yourself at least 9 months in your new career before reviewing your decision. 9 months is the minimum amount of time to it takes adjust to a major change – very frustrating when you’re tired and just want to be on the other side of the change!
3. Remind yourself about the reason you changed career every day
4. Find others who are going through a big career change at the same time as you. You may find them a great source of support.
5. Don’t forget many, many people have been through major change and survived it and been so much happier further down the line.
Support for managers and leaders 