Figuring out where to go next on your career path is rarely an easy decision.
It often keeps people up at night, tossing and turning, wondering what their next best move might be.
When considering an opportunity, sometimes it’s a clear “hell no!” or “heck yeah!” But more often than not, folks find themselves grappling in the gray — not knowing which way to go.
We’ve all been there.
You make a list of pros and cons.
You ask everyone you know for their input.
You’ll even start flipping coins if you’re desperate enough.
But if you really want to find the best answer, here’s what you need to know —
When you’re nervous about making a career decision, there’s a good chance your brain is working against your best interests.
Your gut is trying to steer you right.
The small voice inside that we refer to as instinct or intuition is pretty spot on. If the idea of pursuing the opportunity feels exciting and lights you up, that’s a big hint that you’re onto something.
But then the fear starts to kick in.
You’ll recognize it when you hear yourself saying, “yeah, but…”
Here’s a tip I learned a long time ago from a career counselor:
“The number of ‘yeah, buts’ you say is in direct correlation to the depth of your fear.” – Adele Scheely
Your fear is simply trying to put on the brakes to keep you safe, but it can keep you stuck if you let it.
‘Yeah, but’ is your logical thinking flexing its muscles.
Let it help you anticipate the obstacles you may face and chart a clear path forward, but don’t let it stop you.
Discernment is important because there’s often another tricky conspirator attempting to push you forward while further clouding your decision-making — your emotional needs.
Are you really excited about this career move because it’s the right thing for you? Or are you doing it in an attempt to fulfill some unmet emotional need — seeking approval, recognition, or validation, for example?
Your emotional needs are aching to be fulfilled, trying to get your attention because you didn’t get enough of whatever it is as a kid.
It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it is something to be mindful of. Don’t let the need to feel loved, heard, or appreciated override good sense.
See what I mean? Not easy.
Career decisions come with real consequences.
Without the ability to work out the decision from a place of awareness and confidence, you can find yourself miles down the wrong path, wondering how you got there.
You may even find yourself walking in circles or hesitant to take the next step because you are already lost. This is especially true if you’ve made poor decisions in the past that got you to a place where you didn’t want to be.
You may have lost some trust in decision-making. So let’s work on that.
In my experience as a coach, I’ve found the best way to reach a healthy decision is to feel your way through it. If you’ve lost touch (or trust) with your gut instincts and intuition, you can learn to tune back in again.
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