Overcome the Fear: Thriving Through Job Transitions
Have you ever felt a knot in your stomach at the thought of changing jobs? As an executive coach, I see this all the time. It's natural to feel apprehensive—after all, stepping into the unknown is daunting. But let’s remember: It’s also thrilling!
Job transitions can be filled with uncertainty and fear, but they are also opportunities for growth and new beginnings. Understanding and overcoming these fears is essential for personal and professional development.
When I transitioned from a secure corporate job to starting my own business, I was terrified. TERRIFIED. I spent countless nights worrying about the uncertainties and the things I didn’t yet know. What if I can’t handle the increased responsibility? What if I fail and disappoint everyone? These fears were paralyzing.
Acknowledging my fear was the first step toward managing it. To facilitate this acknowledgement, I got—and continue to get—support from others. I’ve learned over time to be more comfortable with change and uncertainty…and no, I’m still not a big fan of it, but I’m good at dealing with it.
In this blog, we will explore some common fears associated with job transitions, share strategies for managing the discomfort, and provide actionable steps to thrive in your new role.
4 Common Fears Associated with Job Transitions
Before discussing strategies to manage job transitions, we must first understand the sources of our fears. Let’s cover the “why” behind our natural feelings toward this common career experience.
1. Fear of the Unknown
Fear of the unknown often keeps people in their comfort zones, despite their dissatisfaction. According to motivational theory, when the current discomfort becomes intolerable, the unknown shifts from being a terrifying leap to a necessary and hopeful step towards improvement.
I had a coaching client, Mark, who was moving from a familiar corporate role to a startup environment. He came to coaching when the discomfort of the current situation became unbearable. He was working late most nights and often weekends, which led to exhaustion and limited time for simple things like going to the gym or making healthy meals. He wanted to change jobs but described the job search as "walking into a dense mist.”
Through coaching, he realized that his unsustainable current situation was pushing him towards a necessary transition. With a structured plan and the right support, Mark was able to embrace the unknown with confidence, ultimately finding a role that not only aligned better with his values, but also allowed him to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
2. Financial Insecurity
The thought of financial instability can be paralyzing. I remember coaching Sarah, who was contemplating a career shift that might temporarily reduce her income. Her concern was rational. Afterall, according to the National Library of Medicine, “Three in 10 adults have difficulty meeting their financial needs.” For our first step in coaching, we created a financial safety net plan, which turned her anxiety into manageable action steps. As a result, she felt empowered to move forward.
3. Fear of Failure
Failure can loom large in our minds, convincing us that one misstep will unravel everything. Jane, an accomplished people manager and coaching client of mine, was petrified of failing in her new role as a director. She feared risking a career she’d painstaking curated over many years of hard work.
In coaching, we approached her fear with compassion and curiosity. We looked at how stress can lead to binary (black and white) thinking. We discussed reframing failure as a learning opportunity. By being mindful of her thinking, she started to notice and change her negative thinking before it stifled her career.
4. Loss of Identity or Status
Transitioning jobs can feel like losing a piece of your identity. When Mark moved from his high-status role in corporate finance to a passion-driven non-profit sector, he feared losing his professional prestige.
Through coaching, he realized that his worth wasn't tied to his title, but to the impact he made. This shift in perspective allowed Mark to embrace his new role with a sense of purpose, knowing that his contributions were making a tangible difference.
Mark also rediscovered his passion for hiking with his dogs and happy-hour with his wife, which reinforced his choice to make the career change. Not only did he enhance his professional satisfaction, but he also enriched his personal life.
6 Practical Steps for a Smooth Transition
Now that we've identified common fears, let's delve into practical strategies to overcome them.
1. Acknowledge Your Fear
The first step to overcoming fear is to acknowledge it. It can be very uncomfortable to feel vulnerable, but that is often where the professional growth lies—just outside our comfort zone. For me, when I worked in-house, I always had a team to bounce ideas off of. This gave me a sense of security and confidence that I didn’t feel when I first started my own business.
Understand that feeling anxious about change is normal. You're stepping into uncharted territory, and that’s naturally intimidating.
Action Step: Write down your fears. Seeing them on paper helps demystify them and shows you that they’re often just thoughts, not realities.
2. Reframe Your Perspective
Instead of viewing the transition as a risk, see it as an opportunity for growth. Embrace the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and challenge yourself in new ways.
My client, Sarah, once shared with me, "I keep thinking about all the ways I could mess up." We worked on shifting her perspective to recognize the promotion as a vote of confidence from her superiors. She began to see it as an opportunity to expand her skills and make a bigger impact.
Action Step: Every time a negative thought creeps in, counter it with a positive one. For example, “I might fail” becomes “I have the skills and experience to succeed.”
3. Leverage Your Support System
You don’t have to go through this alone. Lean on friends, family, mentors, and colleagues who can offer guidance and encouragement. Surround yourself with people who believe in you.
When I was making my most recent career change, I relied heavily on my own coach. Her support and thought partnership were invaluable, helping me navigate my new business challenges and stay focused on my top goals.
Action Step: Schedule regular check-ins with a mentor, trusted colleague, or a coach to discuss your progress and any challenges you face.
4. Embrace Imperfection
Perfectionism can act as a road bump that slows your productivity. The truth is, no one expects you to be perfect. View this transition as a learning experience. Your new role will come with a learning curve, and that’s okay.
I had a client named Maria who was terrified of making mistakes in her new role. We discussed how perfectionism was holding her back. Over time, she learned to embrace imperfection and see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Action Step: Set realistic expectations for yourself. Understand that mistakes are part of the process and each one is a powerful learning tool. I find that the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, can be used to reduce perfectionistic tendencies.
Action Step: Remind yourself that each challenge is an opportunity to become better. When things don’t go as planned, ask yourself, “What am I learning?” Keep your focus on growth, not failure.
5. Plan and Prepare
Having a clear plan can alleviate a lot of the overwhelm associated with a job change. Breaking down your new responsibilities into manageable tasks can make the transition smoother.
Sarah (previously mentioned coaching client) felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of her new responsibilities. We identified her most important short and long term goals, then created a step-by-step plan for her to reach these goals by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This structure gave her a boost of control, direction, confidence, and organization.
Action Step: Create a plan with clear, achievable goals for your first few weeks in the new role. Celebrate small victories along the way.
6. Trust Yourself
Remember, you’re in this job for a reason. Trust in your abilities and the decisions of those who promoted you. You’ve got what it takes to succeed.
One of Sarah’s biggest hurdles was self-doubt. It wasn't until she started trusting her instincts and abilities that she truly began to excel. Every day before heading to work, she chose to remind herself that she was chosen for a reason and that she had earned her place.
Action Step: Write a list of your strengths and achievements. Refer to it whenever you need a confidence boost.
Getting Support
Job transitions are like walking a tightrope—balancing the excitement of new opportunities with the fear of the unknown. Embrace this journey with open arms, knowing that each step, no matter how uncertain, brings you closer to discovering new strengths and capabilities.
As an executive coach, I’ve seen people transform their careers by embracing change and stepping into their full potential. Just like my clients Rachel, Mark, and Sarah, you too can navigate these transitions with confidence and grace. Remember, it's not about the absence of fear, but about finding the courage to move forward despite it. So, take that leap and trust in your abilities. Your next adventure awaits!
For those interested, coaching offers powerful thought partnership and practical tools for career transitions. If you're curious about how coaching can benefit you, or if you're interested in starting your coaching journey, feel free to reach out to me through my contact page. I’d love to hear from you!