The Career Breakup
Did you make it to last week's “The Career Breakup: Overcoming Fears So That You Can Start Swiping Right On Your Next Job” on IG and LinkedIn? It was 🔥❤️🔥.
We all know that breakups can be complicated, long, and dragged out... but once you can get past those initial fears, they often lead to new beginnings. 🌈
As promised, here’s a summary of what we covered last week:
#1 - Overcoming the fear of financial concerns or job security.
❓Am I willing to risk my financial stability for the possibility of a more fulfilling career? How do I ensure I'll make more money and get similar or better benefits? Will I have to take a pay cut or lose my perks?
First, decide if you’ll leave your job without another job lined up.
If YES (you were ready to walk out yesterday 😫), it may be helpful to figure out your financial runway by looking at your monthly expenses and what cushion you have in savings, investments, pulling back on unnecessary spending, etc. This will show you whether quitting on the spot is doable and could alleviate your concerns.
If NO (you'd rather have a side boo lined up before walking out 😬), it could still give you peace of mind to figure out your runway, but the financial fear becomes more of an exercise to figure out what your requirements are for your next salary, benefits, or perks.
Then, define what 'wealth' or 'success' means to you.
My definition of wealth looks different from a few years ago. It used to be living in a high-rise apartment in NYC, paying a million dollars to have a car and parking spot, spending my life savings on daycare, and buying expensive clothes for my kids. I designed my work in sales and management at high-growth tech companies to support that version of wealth.
Today, money is still very important to me, but so is the wealth of time, mental and physical well-being, community involvement, and deepening relationships. I value the flexibility of skiing on a random Wednesday, picking my kids up early, or flying to see my parents whenever I need to. Whether that's through Wildlight or some other career path in the future, my work will need to support my current idea of wealth.
Knowing your own definition of wealth (and being honest with yourself) at this point in your life can give you some answers on how to design your next career options.
#2 - Overcoming the fears of rejection or failure.
❓Am I hirable? Will people want me? Will I be able to fit into new work environments?
Remember that even though you may be rusty in the dating scene (job search), you’ve got 10-15+ years of expertise and skills. Reflect on what those are. Think about what comes easily to you but is usually harder for others. You can do this through journaling, skills assessment, or working with a career coach to extract insights.
Activate and expand your network. Sometimes, it's easier to hide and retreat when stressed with fear. But it’s important to talk to people in/outside of your network during this time. It can be validating to talk about what you’re up to outside the context of your job and help you get your groove back.
Also, with sites like LinkedIn, you can essentially be in the same room with any professional out there. There are industry groups, communities, groups, and local networking events. Get out there and share your story, interest, and expertise. You’ll never know what it might lead you towards.
#3 - Overcoming the fear of judgment from others.
❓What will others think of me? Will I look like a failure if I leave or start somewhere else? Will people think I’m a fraud?
First, you have to get clear on your why. Understanding your values will help you feel in control of this breakup process and change. When you’re clear about why you’re doing something, this becomes the foundation of your confidence. And once that confidence is back, there’s less f's given to what others might think.
Think of this period as a time for new beginnings. Yes, going through a job breakup will take up your mental and emotional energy, but worrying and overthinking will not do you any good. Instead, try looking at this period as a direction towards fresh opportunities. A refreshed mindset will help you see past what others may think and focus on the options on the other side.
This is exactly what I do with my clients in my 1:1 coaching program, Reset & Realign.
My clients are smart, driven, burned out, bored, unfulfilled women between jobs who know they deserve more. Now that they have 10–15+ years of experience, they want to be intentional about their next move and not make the same mistakes. Or they’re at a job where they don’t feel much growth is left, their time is up, and they're ready to do this breakup thing.
Through coaching, we’ll address your fears, understand your desires, and create options and a game plan — so that you have a clear, customized roadmap to get you on your way to a more fulfilling, challenging, and exciting job (on your terms, without ever sacrificing pay).
Here's the thing: my clients are ready to put in the work. Change doesn't happen overnight. But the good news is that change doesn’t require a miracle. It just requires a vision, a willingness to work for it, and a bit of trust in yourself.
And having a coach to guide you and give you accountability can make all the difference.
If this sounds like you, book a sales call to learn more.
-Carolyn
