How to stay hopeful when navigating a career change.

"I believe in hope. I believe in belief."

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Ted Lasso has become the motivational coach I never knew I needed.

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His unwavering commitment to the power of optimism is never far from my mind and it reminds me that the concept of hope is so deeply embedded in our career.

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From nervously applying for our first job to boldly putting a hand up for promotion or pursuing our small business dreams, we are hopeful that everything will work out.

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Hope Action Theory is a career development framework focused on hope as an active motivational force that drives us to take action. It suggests that belief in our own abilities and the pathways available to us are essential for overcoming challenges and finding career success and fulfilment.

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Without hope, we lose motivation. We lose confidence. We stop seeking out people or resources that might help us take the next step, and feelings of hopelessness and despair may start to cloud our thinking.

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I think about this every time I see a round of redundancies affect those around me.

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I also think about this every time I see Steve Gard talk about the Circle Back Initiative and the importance of candidate feedback.

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When someone applies for a job, they send out a little message of hope to a potential employer saying "Pick me. I'm good. I can do this." When they don't hear anything back post-application, or even post-interview, that feeling of hopelessness can start to creep in and negatively impact the next job application.

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I am an eternal optimist, sometimes to my detriment (and often through gritted teeth during the kid's bed and bath routine!) but it has played an important role in shaping my own career path. It is also a key part of my career coaching practice as clients always come to me looking for hope, often without realising it.

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"Thank you for all your hard work and commitment and most importantly belief.? You had my back even when I didn’t ask, you have been there every step of the way and I couldn’t have felt more supported."

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It was this feedback that made me reflect on the role of hope in the career conversations I have each day.

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Tanya came to me after almost a decade out of the workforce and with a plan to find a flexible part-time job in administration. Prior to having kids, she was a Textile Designer but didn't have any hope for returning to this profession after such a long break. It took a few sessions, but eventually Tanya found the confidence to seek out opportunities that combined her design skills with her obsession for kids clothing. She is now a part-time Designer with one of Australia's leading baby and toddler brands.

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So how can we be more hopeful about our careers?

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As the name suggests, Hope Action Theory focuses on the interplay between hope and action, and even small steps can help build momentum and motivation.

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Stay connected. Start building a supportive community of people who can offer guidance, feedback and support in your career journey such as previous colleagues, mentors, school alumni or family and friends.

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Be curious. Ask the people in your community about their experiences and the evolution of their own career pathways. Everyone has a story to tell and you'll always learn something new.

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Stay adaptable. Embrace divergent thinking and pursue big ideas. Those off-beat, crazy ideas might hold the key to an interesting and unexpected career path you hadn't considered before.?

If you’re currently navigating a career transition and want to build your confidence, brainstorm ideas and take proactive steps towards achieving your career goals, email me at [email protected]. I’d love to speak with you.