Put a Partner in the Passenger Seat
Other people can help you in so many ways on your career shifting journey. They might show up as mentors, career coaches, members of your network, etc. Sometimes they simply fill the role of being inspiring to you – helping you to carry on the challenging work of career transition.
They mean well, but…
However, have you encountered resistance from people in your life who seemingly love you best? They throw a “wet blanket” on your new-found passion and enthusiasm. Sometimes people are jealous that you are so happy and they’re not. Sometimes they are fearful of change, and when you change, that unsettles them. Sometimes they mean well by their discouragement – they don’t want you to get hurt by risking possible failure. And sometimes they simply don’t understand why you are being so “self-indulgent” in wanting to pursue your passion. Maybe they tend to think that work is only about sacrifice – that it’s not supposed to involve doing something you love!
If you are getting resistance or discouragement from people close to you, do your best to insulate your heart and mind from their comments. This is about you living your life on purpose. It’s about your truth not theirs. Though it’s tough to hear, it has to be said. If you can’t get support from people close to you, then it’s probably best not to share the news about your journey with them. Instead, hook up with others who you CAN talk to about your career transition. Seek out relationships with people who give you constructive, rather than destructive, feedback.
Consider Getting An Accountability Partner
If you want positive support consider getting an accountability partner. An accountability partner is someone who helps you achieve your goals with an objective point of view. They will not have necessarily known you as you were so they don’t have expectations about how you should be going forward. To make a successful change, this kind of mindset is extremely important to have in your life.
I have an “accountability partner,” though we don’t call each other that. We are both very self-accountable by nature. Instead we call each other “nurturing” partners because we don’t nurture ourselves nearly enough, and that is the kind of support we need most. Mostly our “sessions” consist of debriefing, brainstorming and validating, which we truly appreciate due to our individual circumstances. We have different lifestyles and different professions, but we share a strong sense of autonomy, spirituality and personal drive. When we support each other, there’s never a sense of competition, and there’s always complete compassionate honesty.
If you want an accountability partner (or nurturing partner), it’s up to you and your partner to determine how often to meet and how you’ll structure things. Some people find it useful to have an actual contract together that is loaded with rewards and consequences. For example, “if I don’t do what I’ve committed to this week, I’ll buy you lunch.” Or, “if I achieve my goals this week, you’re picking up the coffee tab.”
You already have the drive to achieve a successful career transition. It’s just easier and a whole lot more fun to have someone in the passenger seat to help you navigate the journey!