A gorge-ous approach to reshuffle your career

During my summer holidays I usually go hiking. To me it’s a pleasant combination of getting closer to nature, do a different type of exercise and…think. Every year we pick a challenging hike in terms of difficulty or height. The end result is not just a green check on ‘things to do’, is more a way to consciously and safely push myself outside my comfort zone and discover something new about myself.

This year my challenging hike was through the Samaria Gorges in Crete (Greece). For those who are not familiar with this quite famous hike, it’s a national park starting from 1200 meters high and ending at sea level after 16 km – one way.

While I was descending I started thinking how a hike through a gorge has various similarities with a career change.

It’s an intentional choice to push your boundaries

There will be professionals who will never even think of a career change, some who will think about it and then do nothing while ruminating about it. Others will actually go for it. No one is forcing anyone to do a career change. The same happens when going for a hike. It’s an intentional choice done because of many personal reasons. From a career perspective these reasons might be a misalignment between the job and the personal values or the aspiration to go for a profession which is closer to who we are right now; just to name a few.

In Crete there is a great choice of hikes; I could have simply chosen a shorter one or I could have chosen to roast on the beach. I chose the longer and most challenging one because of curiosity and because it’s my way to test and overcome limits and fears.

It’s a challenge with yourself first

It’s a way to prove to yourself and to others you can do it and succeed. Like all challenges, some elements will be of easy execution, while others are more difficult. Acknowledge that you are in front of a challenge and be open to recognize what might be the most demanding elements is an effective approach.

Looking into a career change, clarifying what is the new role and overcoming the feeling of financial instability are (usually) the most complex elements of the process where the majority of the professionals might get stuck to the point of giving up entirely. Like hiking, you know what you get yourself into and that it won’t be easy. If others did it and survived - and the pic on top shows how many have done it in the years - you can do it too.

It’s a visualization process to envisage the path and reduce fears

When hiking down I had to be extra careful on where exactly put my feet. I was scared to hurt me badly. My inner critics were telling, or better screaming at me, to be utterly cautious or no one could rescue me if I ended up injured. It took me a (looot) longer time to complete the hike. In some cases I felt paralyzed and had to reach for some help from other hikers. When I realized that fear and inner critics were blinding my ability to complete the hike adding additional unwanted and unnecessary stress I asked for help when I felt stuck and I started concentrating on the path to follow while walking.

When changing your career the inner critics will picture awful catastrophic scenarios. As a result the frustration and temptation to give up will increase. Before starting the process is worthwhile to make a plan with the most important steps and identify what fears the most. In this way you will be able to identify when to ask for help while keeping in mind what is the end goal.

It’s keeping one eye on the end prize and one on what’s around in that moment

Seeing the sea at the end of the hike was a huge relief. Later that day I realized that with less fear and stress I could have enjoyed the descent much more.

In the midst of a career change the tendency is to complete the pivot fast, forgetting to look around and solely enjoy the moment. It’s a moment of personal growth and increase of awareness on who we are about to become.

Takeaways

A change in career it’s an intentional choice. Visualizing the path as much as possible before starting the process will reduce the inevitable feelings of stress, frustration and fear. It will help in making clear what type of support is necessary and when. Keeping an eye on the final goal is crucial to define the direction, it’s also beneficial to enjoy what’s in front of our eyes in specific moments or we will miss the smaller steps of the transformation.

It’s not easy and shortcuts will not come in our favor. The journey, as well as the end result, is going to be equally satisfying.

"Whatever you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving them."

Zig Ziglar

About Elena

Elena added the role of international career coach to her 2 decades of pricing and forecasting roles in American and Japanese corporations. Today, she coaches career conflicted professionals to pinpoint their next career move and reach self-realization through 3 programs.

“Job Landing Strategy?” to look for a new job in the same role and maximize the chances to be selected.

“Twist your career into a new profession” to have a 360 degrees pivot into a new role.

“Turn your strengths into superpowers” to up-skill and re-skill natural talents increasing confidence and productivity.

You can talk to Elena here and follow her on her bi-weekly posts on Linkedin.