VIM Executive Coaching, realizes that every executive leader faces critical choices over a career. To that end, we will do our utmost to support executive leaders in their current careers. However, we understand that many executives also cling to a desire to transition to entirely new careers. Let’s talk about that desire in this week’s post.
The Decision
The decision to change careers is one that is normally fraught with uncertainty and self-doubt. Why wouldn’t it?
Like it or not, such change reaches the critical question of “Who am I?” It is not only a matter of asking ourselves who we are as individuals to make such a decision, but many of us ask ourselves, “What right do I have to do this?” At first, they may seem rather similar questions, but they are not.
As to the question of “who we are,” this is a matter of mindfulness, developing greater authenticity and clearly, learning how to better respond to life’s challenges rather than reacting to them.
Naturally, as business and executive leadership coaches, we focus on the question of who our clients are in their career settings, not in their personal relationships. Nevertheless, it is impossible for people to develop greater mindfulness and authenticity in their “organizational or entrepreneurial life,” and it not having a positive impact in their social lives.
In terms of “what right do I have to do this?” It is a question that goes to aptitude, mindset, skills and attitude. We can change to a new career providing we are willing to become realists however, far too often, the changes we want to make are not based on the reality of who we are. The disconnect is what causes so many people to falter.
The Images
Most every day of the week are confronted with tempting images. The images come courtesy of the movies, television or online success stories in “career” magazines. We’ve all seen them: the former banker who opens a country inn, the professional boxer who becomes a restauranteur, the computer sales person who becomes a trial attorney.
Unfortunately, images are fashioned for the screen and belie the truth. It is quite easy to present the sweet and lightness camera shot of a fresh-faced cupcake entrepreneur greeting customers. It is quite view another to see the same entrepreneur paying bills, scrubbing down the mixer and arguing with the customer who lost a filling to a caramel cookie.
Several years ago, we met a highly successful software developer, then dissatisfied with her career, who whimsically decided to go into the jewelry business. Her philosophy at the time was, “I know what I like and therefore, my instincts are good.” She found a supplier of beautiful silver necklaces and such, then proceeded to take out a full-page advertisement in a demographically appropriate magazine. In total, she received three orders. She decided to stay in hi-tech.
Then another remembrance of a man who was a botanist who had a longing to go to medical school. After one semester in school, he dropped out and opened a plant nursery.
In both examples, the individuals involved had an image, but they failed to explore who they were as people, and the mindset in exploring their aptitude, skills and attitudes.
On the surface, we may believe that what we like (our image) is the same thing as learning a new profession in a new industry. In the case of the botanist, it was not that he lacked the intelligence, but that he didn’t like to be around many people!
We can successfully change careers. However, we should not assume we can do so without mindfulness, authenticity, and an exploration of how we might respond to the challenges of that new world view.
We can change however, change must come with self-knowledge of who we are, and what we are prepared to do. Whether you ultimately decide to stay, or to set off on an entirely new venture, VIM Executive Coaching is here to assist you on that journey.