How to embrace change: Step #1
Are you self-sabotaging? Take a free assessment and join my next Pod!
Hello from a Cracker Barrel restaurant in the middle of Ohio, USA (did you know they’re quite generous in letting campers park overnight?)!
Our traveling journey south continues, so naturally, I’m thinking a lot about change: change in location, change in environment, change in lifestyles, and change in our careers.
Today and next week, I want to specifically talk about how we can all learn to embrace change in our careers since it can be a part of our lives fraught with fear. I also want to invite you to join me for the next Positive Intelligence Pod - it’s all about helping you navigate career changes with less fear and more joy!
Registration to join the Pod closes in one week (Friday, September 22nd). Secure your spot before it’s too late!
Okay, let’s explore fear for a bit.
There are three steps to learning how to stop feeling so much fear when we’re experiencing a big change in our careers.
The first one is understanding how you’re self-sabotaging.
Let’s find out if you’re currently experiencing one (or more) of the nine ways we self-sabotage:
When you’re experiencing a big change in your career (like a layoff, building a new business, looking for a new job, retiring, etc.), do you…
Worry about all the things that could go wrong, like running out of money or never finding your “ideal” role?
Wish you had done something to avoid this change to begin with?
Think about what people will say if things don’t work out the way you want?
Consider that perhaps you’re not good (or smart, talented, etc.) enough?
Believe you’re not doing enough to prepare for what’s next?
Think that in order to succeed, everything has to be perfect (your resume, your interviewing skills, your next job)?
Feel distracted and not even sure about what you really want next?
Avoid working on the important things (like networking), but find plenty of time for the not-so-important ones (like washing that pile of dishes)?
Feel helpless and like your fate is out of your hands?
If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, you can thank one (or more) of your saboteurs, like the Hyper Achiever, the Hyper Vigilant, or the master of all saboteurs, The Judge.
We all have inner saboteurs that interfere with our mood and clarity of thinking, especially during times of change.
These saboteurs drain our energy by telling us lies in order to “protect” us:
“You must be perfect!”
”You’re not doing enough!”
”Why did you let this change happen?”
”What if you don’t get it ‘right’ the next time?”
”No one else will hire you!”
”You’re going to run out of money - beware!”
(and so on)
The truth is that these saboteurs don’t really protect or serve us. They make us feel anxious, afraid, and insufficient.
In order to stop feeling stressed and worried as you’re experiencing change, you need to get your power back.
How do you do that?
You expand your awareness of how your inner saboteurs are generating stress and negative emotions, stealing from your happiness and peace.
You learn to interrupt those saboteurs by getting out of your head and instead connecting with your body and your environment.
You learn to manage your energy so you can better regulate your response to change.
You stop judging yourself and others so harshly.
You practice empathy towards yourself, taking each day at a time, showing yourself grace and kindness.
You stop getting so distracted by the things that cause you stress and learn to be more fully present.
You become intentional about the future you want to create instead of letting life and work happen to you.
You learn to forgive yourself when you make a mistake without letting that mistake take up so much of your brain space and energy.
You strengthen your ability to make decisions with greater self-confidence.
You learn to connect to parts of you that make you feel alive, like your creativity and sense of playfulness.
You shift your focus away from you and focus on your impact and mission.
You take decisive action toward that next phase that awaits, trusting yourself and your many gifts!
In the beginning, reclaiming your power from your saboteurs will be hard.
But it will be worth it.
If you don't know how to do the things I've listed above, that's okay.
You will learn how to do all of this as part of my Positive Intelligence “Pod”, kicking off on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023.
Registration closes one week from today, on Friday, September 22nd.
As part of the Pod, you’ll learn how to catch your saboteurs in their tracks.
In fact, you can start now by taking this free assessment to learn about the saboteurs that derail you the most.
Being part of a Pod a few years ago was life-changing for me. I developed a powerful toolkit to help me navigate change and life with less stress. I learned to become more curious, loving, playful, and creative. Since then, I’ve coached many more people to incorporate these same tools into their lives.
Here’s what Mary H., one of my past Pod participants, had to say:
”Before joining Karla's Pod, I was constantly trying to do it all (my time-consuming job, taking care of my family, spending time with friends) but never feeling fully present in any of it.
I felt stressed and anxious - never enough hours in the day!
Through the Pod experience, I discovered, amazingly, that I had time for what mattered. I took more time to stop the busy pace of things and breathe. I felt myself being more present, especially in conversations with people.
Before this program, I felt like my brain was always thinking of what I had to do next while doing something. Now, I find myself listening and engaging more which ultimately makes me a better partner, colleague, and friend.
You probably think you don't have the time for this because you're so busy. I thought so too. But this program literally teaches you ways to manage your time, stress, and life in practical ways that will ultimately help you. You're not too busy, take the leap!"
Just like Mary, when you join my next Pod, you will learn to better manage your time, stress, and energy, particularly as you’re navigating a career change.
You won’t want to miss it.
P.S. Next week, I’ll tell you about Step #2 and Step #3 to stop feeling so much fear during times of change. In the meantime, here are a couple of related articles I’ve written in The Joyful Career newsletter that might support you now:
What’s Draining You? Take care of yourself by auditing your energy.
Trust the Process: There is no “right”, only what WE make right.