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“Careers, like rockets, don’t always take off on schedule. The key is to keep working on
engines.” Gary Sinise
I also see this resistance when clients ask me if I know of a recruiter who can find them a job. I explain that recruiters do not find jobs for people. They identify qualified, experienced candidates to submit to their client companies for job openings. Clients often prefer to ignore fact that most people get their jobs through networking and hard work, and that best jobs can be found through these means. "No cross, no crown," said William Penn. The accomplishments that are most rewarding for me are ones that required most sacrifice and hard work.
Most often, career problems do not go away. As Christopher Parker says, “Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get bill.” And longer we wait to deal with our problems, higher price tag. Ever add up costs of those finance charges? Career problems that are ignored can result in psychological and physiological symptoms such as depression, insomnia, changes in weight, and illness. One of my female attorney clients experienced hair loss until she changed jobs.
Managing Resistance to Change
We can practice getting comfortable with change by making alterations in areas that are low risk. We can try a new restaurant, or a different item on menu. We can vacation in a new place. We can take up a new hobby. We can change our routines. We can take "baby steps" to investigate career options.
A client I work with is an accomplished professional, currently being considered for openings as COO in several start-up firms. These progressive companies are well-funded, highly innovative, would offer her part ownership, and will take her in direction she wants to go with her career. But she has a firm job offer from an older, established company. It is a good offer, if she wants to take a step backward in her career. But uncertainty of declining this offer and proceeding through interview process with these other companies has her in a stalemate. Although her gut tells her to decline offer and get this monkey off her back, her lack of confidence, impatience and inability to deal with uncertainty continues to drain her energy.
“ One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of shore for a very long time.” Andre Gide
This individual gains much of her self-esteem and identity from her work. If she can make this transition, this change, she will gain confidence she needs to make other transitions later in her life. The only thing we know with certainty is that this next change will not be her last. And skills she learns during this process she will use continually throughout her life.
Conclusion
Yes, change can be good! All of us, even those who are satisfied with our careers need to continually develop new skills. We need to determine ways to add value to services we provide. The key is our marketability. There is no such thing as job security. Put yourselves in a position where you are one to make decisions about your career. Don't wait for outside forces to make those decisions for you.
Debbie Brown is a career consultant and executive coach who works primarily with professionals, attorneys and entrepreneurs.
D & B Consulting 3474 Lenox Road Suit 400 Atlanta, GA 30326 404-240-8063 FAX: 678-530-0661 www.DandBconsulting.com Debbie@DandBconsulting.com
