5 Career Change Myths
If you dream about having a different career, but don't act on that dream, you may be operating under the assumption of a career myth. In this article, we expose 5 career change myth phrases you've heard before that simply are not true. Let's explore them.
#1: You can't make a living doing something you really, truly love
This is the grand-daddy of career myths, the belief that you can't have a "practical" career doing something that you were passionate about. It has to be one or the other.
This myth is rooted in fear. Fear that we have to sacrifice our happiness to make a living. Don't buy the myth that you can't earn a living by doing what you love.
If you find yourself buying into this myth, consider this question - As you look back on your life, what will you regret more? Following your passion or following your fears?
#2: It's a tough job market/economy
Even when the newspapers and other news sources say that unemployment numbers remain steady, that job growth is at a standstill, or that we're experiencing slow economic recovery, not to mention downsizing and outsourcing, don't believe it.
It's a myth because it doesn't reflect the whole story, the fact that it's a different job market today. It's a changing economy. How we transition from job-to-job is different. Hiring practices have shifted. So the job market has changed, but that doesn't necessarily make it tougher. What makes it tougher is that we've been slower to change. We've held on to old practices and old behaviours. That's not to say that old ways still don't work, but they're just not as effective.
Myth #3: Changing careers is risky
What's riskier than leaving what you know to pursue the unknown? Changing careers means leaving behind a piece of your identity. People always know what's next, right? Nope. Successful career changers often don't have a plan. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is riskier than not changing careers if you're longing to do so. Here's why: The longing won't go away. It will always be there, under the surface, waiting for you to do something about it.
Career Myth #4: Always have a back-up plan
Sometimes having a back-up plan is the smart and prudent course of action. Back-up plans are so grown-up and responsible. But what happens when you're standing with one foot in and one foot out? In my experience, we usually close the door and retreat. We are reluctant to commit to ourselves and we end up with feelings of regret and the nagging "What if?" question. Give all that you've got to your dream job and you've got a better chance of being successful.
Career Myth #5: There's a perfect job out there for everyone
How long have you been searching for yours? You just know, deep inside, that there's an ideal job that's perfect for you out there. It matches your personality, skills, and interests to a tee. And it pays well. If only you could figure it out. If only you knew what it was.
Is there a perfect job out there for you? No. And here's the good news - there are more jobs than you can imagine that would be "perfect" for you. Chances are you've even come close to a few of those perfect jobs already. So what happened? And how do you recognise one of these so-called "perfect jobs"? Maybe you've run into a perfect job in the past, but because of the timing, you passed by the opportunity. Or maybe you were so focused on something else, that you missed an obvious clue. Instead of dwelling on the past, which you can't change, vow to keep your eyes open and to look beyond the obvious.
So now that you know that one or all of these myths have been holding you back, what are you waiting for?