Career Change Stories from a Pandemic

So many things have changed since the pandemic upended how we live and work. It’s been almost a year now that we’ve been living with restrictions - and sometimes these have been a huge challenge. We’ve lived with fears for our mental and physical health, for the safety of the people we love, and for what the next chapters in this story will hold.

Many have lost jobs, some have had to say goodbye to much-loved businesses, and yet others are now working in very different ways to this time last year. While it’s sometimes felt like life has just been frozen in time and that we’re passive actors in this new (and very strange) drama, it’s also been a time when many have actively made changes that serve them far better.

I’ve written before about reviewing your achievements and reflecting on how you can use your values to create a life that works for you, but I haven’t said much about the work I’ve been doing with career change clients. Because (amazingly), people ARE still actively shaping their lives, even while so much seems beyond their control.

So here’s a quick dip into my casebook. I hope this will encourage you to take the next steps in your own career journey – but please, please don’t take this as a criticism if you don’t feel like you’ve achieved much for yourself in the past year. When the time is right, I know you’ll be ready to build a future that fills you with hope and joy.

Career Stories from my Casebook

This year, despite the pandemic, I’ve worked with clients who have:

·      Used newly identified values to make important choices that allow them to express who they really are – every day

·      After years of denial and doubts that this is a ‘real career’ embraced the challenge and excitement of developing a portfolio of different work

·      Left jobs that drain them, that clearly conflict with important values, and seek new work in environments in which they can thrive

·      Shared their rich experience and told their story in public – and were headhunted as a result

·      Despite a preference for real world training, developed the arts of Zoom networking, training and consulting – and grown in stature and visibility throughout the year

·      Given their dreams space and quality time – and have understood their unique talents, how these align with their values and the new direction they’ll pursue when they move countries in the spring

·      Connected with their past successes and used these to spur a change in career direction – moving into a new working life that inspires them

·      After months of procrastination and doubt, have shifted from full time employee to part-time consultancy – AND writing the book that has been nurtured in the shadows, now ready to bring it to the world

·      Faced their financial fears of giving up a successful career and moving into a more personally fruitful way of living and working, and have made an informed choice

·      Rejected a toxic work environment in favour of a culture of collaboration and like-minded purpose

·      Embraced their multipotentialite status – and built rewarding work in several sectors, using many different strengths, relishing the variety and excitement of her self-styled career

·      Wanted to bring their own coaching programme to the world, but have needed feedback, advice, brain-storming and reassurance

·      Secured a promotion, grown as a leader, and actively managed self doubt 

·      Realised that they are the author of their own career – and how they tell that story via their CV, professional profile, blogging or other conversations is entirely up to them

·      Identified and started a project that harnesses their strengths, holds deep personal meaning and has real purpose for them

·      Reflected on what Covid has taught them, and made changes for their future

·      Despite lifelong ‘Imposter Syndrome’, have identified and acknowledged their individual strengths, choosing to use these for a cause that really matters to them

Qualities to make change happen

I have witnessed so many qualities that have humbled me. It’s an honour to work with individuals who are ready to explore what their deepest hopes and dreams are for their lives and their work. Career change is a challenge! There are many twists, dips, and also wonderful breakthrough moments when clarity and purpose come into focus. Knowing WHY their new direction fits them so well and how there is a real need for their new work provides limitless momentum and direction. 

I’ve shared many honest conversations and admired individual qualities that have inspired me:

·      Courage

·      Vulnerability

·      Authenticity

·      Resilience

·      Persistence

·      Action

·      Excitement

·      Energy

·      Fears felt, faced and gradually overcome

·      Self doubt admitted, faced and reframed

·      Trust

·      Commitment

·      Honesty

·      Sadness

·      Confusion

·      Openness

·      Optimism

·      Humour

The common thread in all these inspiring people is a willingness to invest time, honesty and hope in creating a better future. It’s not always easy, but they’ve carried on, bounced back, slogged on, and grounded themselves in exactly WHY this change is so important to them.

The world needs more people like them and I have no doubt that they will create real difference through their beliefs and actions.

Do any of these stories resonate with you? Do you want to create a future that honours who you are  - not who someone else thinks you should be? It doesn’t matter if you are filled with self doubt, feeling confused, or have no idea what you want to do next – all of those things are completely normal!

I’d love to hear from you if you’re ready to take one small step to making your dreams a reality. Just hit the button and let’s get started.