Have you ever been in a position that you knew wasn’t working out, and you decided to find a new job? Decisions like this come easy for some and harder for others. Once you make a choice, your brain begins to anticipate the possibilities of what could go both right and wrong. Change is profoundly personal, and your reaction to change is mainly subconscious based on your previous life experiences. When it comes to change, the brain starts to anticipate everything that could go wrong as a means of self-protection. The energy required to fret and wonder about a change uses an intense amount of energy. This preoccupation with the future can make focusing on a current job challenging. The mental distraction is typical, yet it can linger until you chart a clear path forward.
Here’s how to navigate an anticipated job change with greater ease…
First and perhaps most apparent, you must decide you’re going to leave your current gig and get a new one.
The second thing needed is clarity on where to go next. Most of my coaching clients have a difficult time with this. One of the activities I do with them is “blue-sky thinking.” On a clear blue day, when all is right with the world, and you’re feeling good, what would you do with your life? Think about the thing that seems impossible or ridiculous yet truly delightful. For me, I’ve always wanted to own and operate a bar. My bar would be a special place focused around community, fun, laughter and yes, healthy vegan food – plus lots of fantastic tasting beverages. When I reflect on what the bar represents to me, there’s a theme of fun, freedom, and entrepreneurialism.
Our motivations for change stem from a basic set of human needs that if gone unmet, will create feelings of agita or consternation. American Psychologist Marshall Rosenberg identified a list of nine basic human needs including, security, identity, understanding, protection, freedom, participation, creation, recreation, and affection.
Look at the list of the nine essential human needs. What is missing in your current role, and what do you need most of in your next position? I recommend you rank the nine needs in order of importance. For me, the idea of owning a bar represents freedom, creation, identity, and participation (greater connection with people). But, I’m not ready to become a bar owner. Until I am, I need to consider how can I acquire more of the nine needs in my life through my existing career. Right away, I can think of an opportunity to design more training content which will satisfy my craving for creation.
When you understand the motivations behind your desire for change, you can start to chart the path toward the role, organization, and people you’d be delighted to work alongside. Additionally, here is another free resource which will help you gain clarity on your next dream job. Download it today!
