A desire to change or step up one’s career is one of the most common coaching dilemmas I encounter.
Embarking on this journey often leads us into a fuzzy transitional state—a space few people like to discuss. We live in a success stories culture, where we typically share our wins once we’ve overcome the fears of failure and judgment. But what if we openly talked about the messy, middle part of the transition?
Whether you’re a working student searching for an entry-level job, a senior professional wanting to explore new paths, or a CEO contemplating life after tenure, we all share that feeling of fuzziness and uncertainty about reaching our dream destination.
What can help ?
👉 Allow for Your Emotions: Avoid judging or trying to fix your feelings; let them flow.
👉 Communicate: Talk to those around you and articulate where you are and where you want to go.
👉 Embrace Your Identity: Accept yourself as career transitioner. Be kind to yourself; reframe your self-talk, imagine you talk to your best friend, would you use this critical tone or words ?
👉 Seek Inspiration: For those who appreciate academic insights, I recommend Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra, which offers practical tips for navigating the inbetween period.
Reflecting on my own journey, transitioning from corporate communication to executive coaching over the past two years, I recall feeling surprised and grieving when I realized it was time to move on. If I could advise my younger self, I would say:
💡Find a coach earlier
💡Start outdoor swimming, ideally with swimbuddies and work on building a supportive community that shares your goals.
Those steps have done miracles for me what has worked for you while transitioning.