I like to share the patterns I see behind the scenes of people working on career transition or transition to self-employment. It’s very common for people to think transition is impossible for them. Here’s what they misunderstand, which keeps them stuck.
Part of why career transition or transition to self-employment feels “impossible,” at first, is because people tend to be unrealistic about how long it takes to make it happen.
For introverts and highly sensitive people (HSPs), these transitions can feel especially daunting, because you’re processing so much on the inside while the outer world pushes for speed. On the one hand, you do want speed for your livelihood sake, but another part of you wants measured pacing so you can breathe too.
Reality Check and the Good News
Reality: It’s simply not going to be fast if it’s going to be meaningful and sustainable. There are many parts to a transition in your livelihood. Moving towards a multi-part, big goal takes time, thought, good self-care, and support.
Good News: The joy part comes fairly quickly, long before the desired outcome is reached, because when you tap into passion for what you want, the journey itself is more enjoyable. It becomes a passion project. That’s true even before the goal comes fully clear. (What if you don’t know what you want?)
Transition is not impossible. It’s just a bit slower than you think it “should” be.
3 Keys for Perseverance During Career Transition
Three essential ingredients that have helped me with career and self-employment transitions:
- I made a plan for supporting myself in the meantime so I wouldn’t freak out (as much).
- Finding community with others on the same journey.
I truly could not have started and grown a business without doing that. I also had a career transition support group when I was in the previous transition. Each time, it has been essential for me, even as an introvert who can resist letting in support sometimes. This is part of why I’m so passionate about leading groups for introverts and highly sensitive people around their livelihood goals. - Letting in expert guidance such as via a Career Clarity program, Self-employment Transition program, or with a Job Search Expert. These don’t need to cost much and the investment should pay off.
Especially now, this is what I find:
- Caring Community => sanity, clarity, and momentum.
- Isolation => stress, spinning, and stuckness.
If you’re feeling off or stuck, consider if you are getting enough genuine connection and caring support these days.
Wrapping Up
I’m feeling for you if your transition is feeling impossible. Whew, it’s no joke out there. Uncertainty is hard on all of us.
If you want some extra guidance, check out this free on-demand class:
