Squash Fears, Pursue Dreams
“There are three constants in life…change, choice and principles.”
~ Stephen Covey
Change. It’s difficult.
As humans, we tend to resist change. When we know there is something amiss in our lives, we make excuses…and keep going on, status quo. But pretending doesn’t make the feeling of dread go away when you’re getting ready for work each day. And the excitement you used to feel for your job disappeared long ago.
You’re not alone. According to a Gallup survey, only 13% of people are engaged actively in their employment.
Is Fear Holding You Back?
Fear holds you back from taking action. Fear of change. A lack of confidence in your abilities. Or the looming feeling that a different job may prove to be even more disagreeable.
So ask yourself what Steve Jobs often did: If this were the last day of your life, would you want to be doing what you are doing today? If your answer is a resounding “NO”, here are a few helpful tips to help manage your fear and move forward into a place where you feel revitalized and enthused for your work once again.
Think of the possibilities that exist if you were excited and energetic about your work once again!
First, Figure Out What’s Going On
Before you can move ahead to either re-establish a sense of enthusiasm and energy for your current work – or move on to a new calling – you have some detective work to do.
Consider these important questions:
- Do you feel challenged anymore? Has your work life become boring?
- Has it felt like you’ve been stagnating, with no tangible change on the horizon?
- Do you have a sense – an inner feeling – that there’s got to be something “more” (even if you don’t know what that something is)?
- Does your current work seem incongruent with who you are – your interests, talents and abilities?
- Has something happened in your life to alter your perspective of a respected person or of the company/organization as a whole?
Your candid (keyword: candid) answers to these questions will help you make the decision that’s right for you. Then, put the wheels in motion to move ahead – and to overcome whatever fears might have been holding you back…
Use Your Fear to Move Forward
In a Forbes article, Kerry Hannon interviewed Patricia DiVecchio, author of “Evolutionary Work: Unleashing your Potential in Extraordinary Times”. For over two decades, DiVecchio has been helping people manage their fears so they can unmask their true potentials and abilities. She offers three key pieces of advice:
-See fear as a friend-
-Don’t fear what you desire most-
-Embrace your resistance-
Fear can be a tremendous motivating factor, notes DiVecchio. “You need to shake hands with your fear and enlist it as a friend – a force to encourage forward movement, rather than something to hide from.”
And as inspirational teacher Eckhart Tolle explains, change does look negative on the surface, “but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge”.
Give yourself permission to use the force of your fear to move forward. While it may be uncomfortable, as you persist, you’ll find it becoming easier!
Ok, I Faced My Fear…Now What?!
You recognized change needed to happen. You answered the tough questions. You’re working on facing your fears. What happens next?
Well, you have two main choices (and continuing to feel less than enthused is not one of them!):
- You can work on rediscovering a sense of fulfillment in your current career. To do this, there are three fundamental areas I recommend addressing: self-care, relationships and improving communication, and setting goals that are worthy of you.
- Sometimes, it’s just time to move on – and that’s perfectly ok! Life is always in motion, change is constant, and the vast majority of us will wear many hats in our life. Your values and the visions you have for yourself may have changed, you may want to try something new…whatever your unique circumstance, go for it!
And whatever you decide, remember to…
…Step Forward, Reflect Back
Everyone has fears. It’s normal.
Never allow your fear to stop you from embracing the life – and career – that you want, that you deserve.
As Hannon declares in Forbes, “One refrain I hear time and time again from successful career switchers: ‘I never second guessed my decision. I only wish I had done it sooner.’”
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
-Leo Tolstoy
You CAN change yourself, your career, your life situation. Take that first step. Click to Tweet!
Persist, even if it’s uncomfortable. Before you know it, you too, will be looking back and saying: “I only wish I had done it sooner!”
Resources
Leadership Operating System Quiz: Wondering what kind of Leadership traits you have? Take this FREE, FAST quiz and find out more about yourself as a Leader.
Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.
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