When I worked in the corporate world, I spent months looking for a career change. I responded to ads, sent my resume off directly to companies, did a career change course, registered with recruitment firms, all to no avail. Up until that time I had always gotten most jobs I applied for, but at that time I felt stuck. There were a lot of politics in my work place, one person told outright lies about me and I was afraid that I’d end up being fired, through no fault of mine. I was frustrated, angry and afraid.
One morning as I travelled to work, dreading the day ahead, I became aware of just how much I was focusing on what I didn’t want. In that moment I decided to relax, give up the job hunt and I said this affirmation, “I have the perfect work in the perfect way and it will be offered to me today”. I keep repeating that affirmation for about 15 minutes as I walked to my office then forgot all about it. I focused on being positive.
A few hours later I received a call from John. I had applied for a job with John a year beforehand and had just missed out. John said, “Are you happy in your job? I might have something that would interest you.” As I talked to John he said, ‘I’ve been trying to call you for the last six months, but you’ve never been available when I’ve called”. As John was a well known personality in the financial sector he didn’t want to create problems for me at work by leaving his name and number.
I think that might have been the first time that I realised that that I had the power to block what I wanted and I also had the power to change my situation by detaching.
I got the job that John rang me about and it changed my life. I went from being an office manager to presenting seminars and talks, writing for the media, commenting on financial matters to the press as well as seeing clients and that work prepared me for the work I do today.
When we really, really, really want something or, even when we are really frustrated our attention shifts away from the object of our desires and on to what we fear. Before long most of our attention is on the fear or worry. That is why being detached from your dreams is so important. Detaching, particularly when you are afraid, is not easy to do, but it can be done, it just takes commitment.
The following are some strategies you can put in place whenever you need to detach:
1. Do something to change your state. I listen to uplifting music, go for a walk, read something inspirational, meditate. Make a list of activities that make you feel good and do something to change your state whenever you find yourself getting caught up in worry.
2. Stop talking about your problems and stop looking for a solution. Do what you can, then let go. One of the easiest ways to let go is to focus on what is good about your current job or situation, keep your focus on the good in your life.
3. Choose to think and talk positively about everything in your life.
4. Do something that makes you feel good about you. I often take some time off, this might just be a few hours, or a few days. Pamper yourself.
I’ve used these simple strategies many times with great success. They always work.
To manage a career change you often need to let go. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up your dreams, although it may mean letting go of how and when you will achieve them.