The decision to make a career change is a brave move, but it often brings with it anxiety and the fear of facing the unknown. Besides spending hours gauging pros and cons of a new business idea or seeking advice from everyone about approaching potential employers, career change is more about the psychology of change. It makes you nervous as you’re about to enter an unknown territory – an unfamiliar office, new personalities, new organisational culture, new area of work, but this is also an opportunity to learn new skills.
Here are six simple steps to help you conquer your nerves and deal with the anxiety of career change.
Early mornings to beat stress
Heard the famous Benjamin Franklin quote “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise?” This certainly holds true as waking up early is an effective way to kick-start your day. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier and try making it to your new workplace at least ten minutes early. This will not only ensure a positive start to the day but will also allow you to plan your day better. Take a few minutes in the mornings to mentally plan your workday and make a list of things to accomplish during the course of the day. By starting early you could avoid the hassle of rushed mornings and traffic-ridden commute that put you on the edge like a ticking time bomb.
Stay positive
Venturing into anything new means stepping out of your comfort zone and initially it could leave you feeling incapable or feeling like you’re not good enough. But you will soon realise that the first few weeks are meant for learning and to get into the groove of things. Further, getting over your nerves requires practice, and staying positive will make you feel better about your new job and help you in the future too.
Soak in all the knowledge you can
Are you afraid of lagging behind in your new workplace? Fret not! All you need to do is spend a few weeks learning as much as you can about your new area of work. Talk to your boss and your colleagues and most importantly ask questions. By doing this you not only exhibit your interest and involvement, but you could also save yourself from making major mistakes that could capsize your career. Also remember not to devalue your past work experience. Whatever it was, it will certainly add value to your new job. No knowledge ever goes wasted.
Create workplace goals
Setting goals is another effective tool to help you cope with career change. Create goals within your workplace that you can aim at irrespective of your anxiety. For instance, learning a new software program required in your new job by a certain date can be a goal. Ensure that the goals you set for yourself are attainable and create more along the way.
Make friends at the workplace
The foremost requirement of any professional is a productive, engaging workplace that fosters growth and personal development. It is important that you spend time getting to know your team members and the exclusive manner in which the team performs within the organisational framework.
This is the foundation for healthy teamwork and an engaging professional environment. You should never boast about your experience or have a know-it-all attitude; this can go against your favour and make you come across as arrogant and unprofessional. Spending time understanding the culture of your organization and team dynamics will help you become famous within your team, paving the way for more focused interactions and eventually, enhanced productivity.
Some breathing techniques can help you relax and cut down on your anxiety. A few minutes of deep breathing after you wake up in the morning will keep you refreshed through the day and help eliminate unnecessary anxieties.
Yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation all have a soothing effect on the nerves. Try it for your own benefit.
Once you’ve mustered the courage to start your new journey and have taken the plunge, you will soon find a way to overcome your anxiety of career change. What once seemed unknown will soon become familiar.
Just keep your eye on your long-term goal and make sure you do sound planning, preparation, and research. Remember that you were hired because you’re already good enough, so take these new experiences in your stride.