You're coaching a client through career change decisions. How do you help them conquer self-doubt?

Self-doubt is a natural thing and professionals with Mid to Senior Managerial profiles often face that. Infact, people with career breaks or laid off recently feel this often and fear success. The only way to counter this to create an action plan, build day wise progress tracking of the goals set, review the progress, and build a network. The more energy and effort one puts in this direction, the more one's weaknesses and self doubt can be dealt. I also recommend journaling and creating a vision first. Many professionals have benefitted from this exercise. For Interview one can do self recording & mirror practice.

Everyone has moments of self doubt. It's human nature. My advice? Stop overthinking things and reframe that inner conversation you're having with yourself so you can move past this moment. Try reflecting on your past accomplishments and lessons learned. It may even help to physically write each one out, if a visual would be helpful. You've been successful in the past, making a positive impact. There is no reason for you not to do the same or better moving forward. You got this.

O briefing é essencial para o trabalho de coaching, uma vez que este leva o coachee a ir ao encontro de suas expectativas. A prática do que a PNL chama de "perguntas poderosas", sem bem aplicado e parte de uma estratégia, vai formar uma via organizada ao pensamento do coachee, proporcionando o desbloqueio de pensamentos aonde o coach pode penetrar e acessar informa??es que ser?o primordiais para o trabalho de coaching. Vale novamente lembrar, que o come?o do trabalho é de fundamental importancia para a qualidade do desfecho, empenho e satisfa??o do coachee com os resultados.

Stepping into the unknown triggers a natural process of self-protection. Once we understand that our belief systems are designed to keep us safe, we can normalize self-doubt as a stepping stone toward growth. It’s not the self-doubt itself that is good or bad, but how we perceive it. By normalizing it and recognizing its purpose, my clients find it easier to move past it and embrace adversity and difficulty from a different angle

Overcoming self-doubt requires breaking down major career goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach turns an intimidating process into attainable milestones. Encourage clients to celebrate their victories, no matter how modest, as this will help build their confidence. Setting flexible deadlines can also foster resilience by reducing stress and allowing adjustments when necessary. Reminding them that setbacks are a natural part of the process, and that progress is more important than perfection, can help them stay optimistic throughout the change,

An efficient and highly successful method I use, when setting career goals, is breaking the larger goal - for example - a career change, into smaller, manageable steps. This helps the client to minimize overwhelm. Together, we set clear, actionable milestones that lead toward the big win. Achieving small wins along the way reinforces their sense of progress and capability.

When coaching a client through career change decisions, helping them conquer self-doubt is crucial. One effective approach is to focus on setting realistic goals using the SMART framework.Help your client create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals which makes the process less overwhelming and more achievable.For example, instead of "Get a new job," a SMART goal could be "Apply to five marketing positions in tech companies by the end of next month.Acknowledge and celebrate each milestone achieved.

Honesty cannot be overemphasized. I would help my client understand where they really are and work towards the desired goal. Process - Clarity - Accessing of current transferrable skill(s) - Map out a plan - Start small and keep growing (acquiring relevant skills/certification) - Work on confidence and character on the way.

Meiner Erfahrung nach ist der Schlüssel zur überwindung von Selbstzweifeln bei beruflichen Ver?nderungen die Umdeutung von Fehlern: Nicht als Rückschl?ge, sondern als Lernmomente. In meinen Sitzungen arbeite ich daran, Selbstreflexion zu f?rdern, um Klarheit über innere Blockaden zu schaffen. Gleichzeitig ermutige ich, die eigenen Erfolge bewusst wahrzunehmen – das st?rkt das Selbstvertrauen und gibt Kraft für den n?chsten Schritt. Es geht darum, Zweifel anzunehmen, ohne ihnen die Kontrolle zu überlassen, und so mutig den neuen Weg zu gehen.

En mi experiencia, trabajar con la mentalidad de crecimiento es más allá que una ventaja, es una poderosa herramienta para enfocar nuestras creencias y actitudes así como reconociendo posibles sesgos de lo que nos aleja de creernos capaces y talentosos para abrirnos caminos, descubrir más aún nuestro potencial. Es un ejericio muy personal que no tiene dependencias y no por ello es una tarea fácil, exige mantenernos en la consciencia de lo que somos capaces de lograr, no es una cuestión de si fuiste dotado o no con inteligencia o si tuviste la fortuna de desarrollar ciertos talentos. Partimos del punto de que tienes muchos talentos pero tal vez no lo has reconocido, el primer paso entonces, es comenzar con ese ejercicio. Mucho éxito

Acknowledging the self-doubt and then shifting focus onto the learning or growth that comes from the experience is a great way to direct the mind onto the upside. Because if you shift the emotion you’ll shift the mindset. Which in turn will lessen the self-doubt, if not diminish it all together.

A growth mindset, the belief that skills can be developed through dedication and hard work, is essential during a career transition. Encourage your client to view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. This shift in perspective can turn doubt into motivation. Suggest they engage in learning opportunities related to their new field and remind them that experience is gained, not inherent. Embracing this mindset helps build resilience and fosters continuous improvement.

I’d help them reframe their self-doubt by adopting a growth mindset. Shifting from "I can’t do this" to "I can’t do this yet" allows them to see challenges as opportunities for learning and development. This mindset shift turns self-doubt into a motivator for continuous improvement and helps them focus on the process rather than the outcome.

Build a robust support system to help conquer self-doubt. Encourage your client to connect with mentors, peers, and trusted friends who can offer guidance and reassurance. These relationships provide external validation and perspective, which can counteract internal doubts. Facilitate regular check-ins where your client can discuss their progress and receive positive reinforcement. This ongoing support helps them stay motivated and confident, reinforcing their belief in their abilities throughout the career change process.

In our CHAP sessions, we are building a dream team with my clients. I aim to convey the idea that, even though it is their own career journey, they are not alone along the way. Humans are biopsychosocial beings, and they need encouragement, feedback, support, a sense of belonging, or even an emotional hug to stay on track. Sometimes, just a single sentence from a colleague or friend can motivate and help get things done. We should not underestimate the impact of this.

You are so money and you don't even know it. Your cheering squad is there, waiting for you. Call you old colleagues, ask your peer network -- you are not asking for a new job-- ask them: What was I good at? What could I be counted on for? Let them remind you. You will get support and the gift of confidence.

Always remember that while it is crucial to surround yourself with people who support and encourage you; it's equally important to remember that everyone will perceive your experiences from their own unique perspective and fears. Be cautious about who you share your projects with, and once you do, don't let others' fears influence your own progress in your career change.

Changing careers can be challenging and no one should do it alone. Set up a support group of family members, friends, mentors and coaches. These are the people who will be your sounding board, give you guidance and advice from their own experiences. They will also be able to introduce you to people who you can set up informational interviews. With information and new insights, you will be in a position to replace that self doubt with boost of confidence. Of course, your coach will be your cheerleader along the way!

BIG believer in visualization leading to manifestation. The Universe (or Spirit or Source or the Force) wants to grant our wishes. Athletes have long used visualization to use the power of their minds to achieve what they want with their bodies. So - define all the details of what you want in the next job. Comp. Boss. Location. Commute. Hybrid or remote. Team. Daily work. Learning opportunities. Culture. Office attributes. Having defined your aspirational career goal, you now can talk about it with others. "What are you looking for in the next job?" Instead of something vague, you respond, "Well...this comp. This kind of boss. This location. These responsibilities." Etc. Visualization --> manifestation. Try it today!

Effectivement les neurosciences nous ont appris que le cerveau ne fait pas la différence entre l'imaginaire et la réalité donc la visualisation est hyper efficace. J'utilise plusieurs techniques de visualisation : le "pont dans le futur" (s'imaginer réussir et comprendre par anticipation ce qui nous a permis de réussir), l'ancrage (puissance des émotions positives), l'invocation des héros (utiliser la puissance d'une personne réelle ou imaginaire qui nous donne sa puissance), visualisation du résultat final.

Visualizing success can be a great tool for a job seeker to be "future-focused." For example, one of the tools we used for this in the International Coaching Foundation course, is to ask something to this effect, "If you could look ahead one year from now, where would you like to see yourself." For example, what would they like to look back and see that they've implemented to accomplish their end goal. And what steps did they take to achieve the job of their dreams.

It’s important to remember that you may or may not have made a mistake, especially during the interview process. Folks wonder why they weren’t picked and try to figure out what they did wrong. Sometimes it’s out of the job seekers control and another candidate was just better suited. However, if someone does make a mistake during the interview, I coach it has a learning experience and practice. More repetitions helps become more comfortable in those situations. Grace and persistence are valuable too!

I start with having the individual assess their transferable skills and identify accomplishments that showcase their strengths and also clarify their values and interests to identify and evaluate positions that capitalize on their preferences. No amount of social support helps until they have a solid understanding of who they are and have a couple of career options they are motivated to pursue. Building personal clarity and confidence is key!

It is important to make the coachee understand that accepting mistakes is not living with them... it is accepting them in the sense of reflecting on them so that they can be reduced or eliminated. During coaching sessions, mistakes are part of the process, but they must not continue throughout the process... we must learn from mistakes, but always remain in error.

Boy this shall be the first step of all first steps. The mantra. The cornerstone. The mothership. If you don't learn to love the journey as you go and accept pitfalls as a process to greatness, you'll keep hitting the same walls over and over through self-punishment and improductive thoughts. "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Said Albert Einstein I know it's pretty cliché, but without fully accepting where you're at currently, and that you're not going to move faster until you truly accept and embrace yourself as you are, it's pretty hard that you make progress without bouncing back from time to time. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, keep it up!

Finally, help your client understand that mistakes are an inevitable part of learning and growth. Rather than viewing errors as setbacks, they should be seen as valuable lessons that contribute to professional development. Encourage your client to reflect on what each mistake teaches and how it can inform future decisions. This perspective can transform doubt into a constructive tool for continuous improvement.