Are You Still Waiting for Enough Confidence to Make a Career Change?

"If I only had the guts to change careers I would.  I just don't have the confidence I need.  Changing careers takes a lot of confidence."  As a Life Coach I hear these statements all the time.  Changing careers does require some confidence but it is easier to build then you may think and does not require you to wait around for it to show up.

Confidence is built in three basic ways.  The first is to look  at your beliefs and change the ones that undermine your confidence.  The second  is to gather the information you need right now.  The third way to build confidence is to take action.

We'll start with looking at your current beliefs.  What would you have to believe in order to have enough confidence to change careers?  Perhaps you would have to believe that it is perfectly fine to make mistakes.  Or you might need the belief that you can and will learn what you need to for the next career.  Maybe a belief that you could actually do it and be successful would help you make the change.  Look at your rules for having confidence.  Finish this sentence..."In order to feel confident I must ________."  Are your rules serving you or holding you back?  If they are holding you back then change them!  You made them up so it's your choice whether to keep them or not.

The next way to build confidence is to gather information as you need it.  This is an area where people get stuck because they become chronic information gatherers.  They always feel that they need to know more before taking even the first step.  Learn in action!  It is the fastest way to a career change.  By taking action you will know what you don't know then you can go out and learn it. Learn just enough to take the first step, take action and then learn a bit more.

To build confidence take action.  Break what you need to do into baby steps.   Each of those steps will help you build confidence.  Don't wait for confidence to come to you take the baby steps even when you are afraid.  Make a list of the steps you need to take on your path to a new career or business and start checking them off.  Don't worry that you don't know all the steps...You won't!  Just write down the steps as far as you can see.  As you take action the next steps will become clearer and your confidence will build.

Changing careers does require confidence but you can build it as you go.  Don't wait for it to come to you because it won't.  Instead change the beliefs that are holding you back, gather knowledge on a "need to know" basis and keep taking consistent action.  Soon you will find yourself enjoying your new career or business and bursting with confidence.