Making a career change is both exciting and terrifying. Even when it’s clear that it’s time for a change—and you may even know what you want to do next—stepping into the unknown can feel overwhelming.
I still remember when I made my big career pivot from marketing to coaching in 2021. I had so many doubts and fears:
- What if I’m not good enough to coach others?
- What if I waste my five years of experience in marketing?
- What if I can’t earn as much as before?
- What if I fail in this new field?
But despite all these fears, I still decided to take the leap—and looking back, I’m so grateful I did. This leap enabled me to find my calling in coaching, clarify what excites and fulfills me at work, and understand how I can use my gifts to make a positive impact through my career.
I gained clarity and confidence in my new path by taking action—despite the fear.
Here’s the good and bad news: Making a career change will always come with fear and doubt, no matter how important or clear your next step feels.
BUT the more you face the emotions and challenges that come with it, the more manageable they become each time you make a change.
With over four years of experience paving my own career path, I’m here to share how you can confidently move past your fear and take the leap toward a more fulfilling career.
6 Steps to Help You Confidently Take the Leap
Step 1: Acknowledge Your Fear with Love and Compassion
The more you suppress or blame your fear, the more intense it becomes—and the more you procrastinate or avoid taking the next step.
But once you start seeing fear as something trying to protect you (rather than hold you back), you can calm its intensity by approaching it with love and compassion.
So instead of pushing your fear aside, take the time to acknowledge it:
- Write down every message your fear is trying to tell you. What am I really afraid of?
- Reflect on these messages. What’s the truth behind them? Is there a past experience influencing me, or am I projecting my fears?
- Build self-trust. How can I reassure myself that I’ve learned from past experiences? Do I have the mindset and strengths to handle what’s ahead?
When you’re still learning how to manage fear, it helps to go deeper and understand what triggers it.
But as you become more familiar with your fear, simply acknowledging its presence is often enough to loosen its grip.
Remember: Your fear just wants to be seen and heard.
Step 2: Make Your Desire Stronger Than Your Fear
We tend to focus on worst-case scenarios instead of imagining how much richer, more exciting, and more meaningful our lives could become if we pursue what we truly want.
Before pivoting to coaching, I knew that if I postponed it, I would always wonder What if? But if I took action, I would always be proud of myself for trying, and for giving myself the chance to enjoy the work I do and follow what I truly believe in—my mission to help others recognize and fulfill their potential. The joy, excitement and fulfillment I envisioned gave me the push I needed to take the leap.
So ask yourself:
What would make my desire stronger than my fear?
Fill your vision with details that inspire you. Let them pull you into action.
Step 3: Develop Self-Trust So You Don’t Rely on External Validation
I know that feeling of craving confirmation that you’re doing the right thing. But the more you wait for someone else to give you the green light, the more you start doubting yourself and overthinking your next step.
I realized early on that if I wanted to do brave things for my own happiness, I had to become my own biggest cheerleader. That self-trust gave me the courage to step outside my comfort zone over and over again.
Because when you believe in yourself, you don’t need external validation to justify your actions.
And when you do receive encouragement from others? It’s just an extra boost for your confidence!
To build self-trust for your new journey, you need two essential things in your “mental backpack”:
- Courage to face challenges head-on
- Trust in your ability to solve problems and make the right decisions in the moment
Look back on your life and reflect on times when you overcame challenges. Write them down and remind yourself how capable you are.
Can you see how brave, strong and creative you can be?
Remember:
- If you did it once, you can do it again.
- Only you know what’s best for you.
Step 4: Manage Your Expectations for the Transition
By now, I hope you’ve clarified your big why for making this career change (see #2). Becuase…
If you expect the transition to be completely smooth—with the same salary and recognition right away, especially in a new field—you might end up feeling disappointed or never take the leap at all.
Here’s what helped me prepare and manage my expectations:
- Financial preparation – Besides crunching the numbers, I intentionally downsized my lifestyle to ease financial stress. Here’s what you need to think about:
- Am I financially prepared for a temporary dip in income?
- What’s the amount of savings that would make me feel secure?
- Is there anyone who could support me just in case?
- What are the essentials in my lifestyle that I want to keep and where I’d be okay to downsize?
- A flexible transition: I had the resources to make a full career shift (enough savings, no kids), but if that’s not an option for you, think about ways to make the transition more manageable. For example, could you reduce your full-time hours to create space for your transition? Remember, you don’t have to make a 180-degree change overnight.
- Focus on learning instead of quick success: Especially if you’re a senior professional transitioning into a new field, it can be frustrating to be a beginner again. But you can’t skip the learning curve. If you want to stay consistent (and not quit), focus on embracing curiosity and growth instead of striving for perfection. [more on this in my blog post ‘5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Changing Careers‘]
- Permission to change your mind: It’s okay if you try something and don’t love it. Instead of fearing that you’ll “lose face” by changing your mind, remember that it’s brave to try, learn, and adjust your career rather than staying stuck.
When you go into your transition prepared—both financially and mentally—you’ll feel more empowered to handle the challenges that come with change.
Step 5: Take Action to Overcome Fear and Reinforce Your Commitment
The most powerful way to push past fear is by taking action. You have to show yourself—and your fear—that you’ve got this.
Start with a small but symbolic action that signals to your mind that this change is real.
A few ideas:
- Give a presentation to your friends about the change you’re planning (I actually did this when I started out)
- Write down a mantra and place it on your desk as a daily reminder.
- Announce your career shift on social media for accountability. (my favorite!)
- Create content (blog post, workshop, video) on topics related to your new path.
- Reach out to someone in your new field for advice.
- Join a relevant network and introduce yourself.
There are many creative ways to dip your toes into your new field without making a huge commitment or sacrifice.
Every door you open brings you closer to your desired career.
Step 6: Build a Support Network That Empowers You And Keeps You Accountable
Making a career change isn’t easy, and relying only on yourself can be tough. That’s why having people who see you, believe in you, and support you wholeheartedly can give you that extra nudge to keep going.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without:
- Friends who genuinely cheered for me.
- A coaching community that helped me grow and navigate the challenges of this field.
- My coach and therapist, who guided me through mental and emotional blocks.
So ask yourself: What kind of support do I need for my career transition?
I truly believe in this saying:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Final Thoughts
I know fear can feel paralyzing, but you’re reading this blog post for a reason—you know you’re more than your fear.
This change isn’t just about your career. It’s about your growth and happiness.
I hope the tools in this post help you confidently manage your fears and take the leap toward a more fulfilling and exciting future.
Trust me—you will be so glad you tried, no matter the outcome.
And I’m here, cheering for you every step of the way! 🎉
Here's how I can support you to thrive in your career...
- Watch my free Masterclass on Find a Career You Love for practical guidance on how to integrate your purpose into your career.
- Join the Career Leap Bootcamp group program to kickstart your new journey with confidence.
- 1:1 coaching support
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