The Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back From an Online Career Change

Even with skills and knowledge, you may feel uncertain where to start; there is also fear of failing or of what others think.

We all have limiting beliefs, so don’t feel alone. To succeed, you will need to overcome your doubts.

As a professional, maybe you are a teacher, accountant, attorney, small business owner, clinician, musician, counselor, or artist. You have skills others have questions about. They want to learn just a little of what you know to make their life easier or fulfill their aspirations. You may not recognize your fear, just make excuses. Did you know excuses and procrastination are often manifestations of your fear?

Let’s look at this head-on.

For an online transition, do I hear you saying,

Limiting thought #1: “I don’t have the technical skills”?

At the moment, you might not be able to build a website, true, but you can learn as I did, or outsource which I should have done!

Don’t let any fear of technology scare you off.

For those of you, like me who are over 55 years old, do you remember the delicious smell of the xerox machine at school? The first time you sent a fax? I still remember that day in my 30s, sending my first fax from Sydney to London. Where were you, when you sent your first fax?

If you were involved in science or psychology at university, we had foot-high piles of cards with holes and these would be run through a computer the size of a bathroom and spit out reams of paper with code we’d later use for a doorstop.

Now our computers sit on our desktop or in the palm of our hand, even on our wrist. We have all learned how to master the technology. There’s more to learn and it’s not hard.

Next limiting belief?

Limiting thought #2: I’m too old.

In fact, people over 50 years are the largest and most successful cohort of online entrepreneurs. Bring it on. Be a part of this amazing journey.

Don’t let age stop you.

Age is an advantage. You have contacts, credibility, expertise, authority, wisdom, and experience.

Disability should not stop you. The online world has democratized opportunities for all.

For online business beginners, a lack of knowledge can stop any action. Being overwhelmed will stop you in your tracks. You need reliable mentors, programs and teachers.

"Holding on to limiting beliefs will stop you from achieving your goals. The more you hold on, the more difficult change will be. Each limiting belief makes your goals a little harder to reach".

Limiting Beliefs, You are Not Alone.

Limiting Thought #3: “People will laugh at my career transition aspirations.”

Don't expect everyone to like your work. Failure only occurs when you give up on yourself and your dreams. Others may feel uncomfortable with your change, not for your future but how it makes them look. It's easier to sit and do nothing and complain about things than have a go, risk failing and making change.

Limiting Thought #4: “There is only one path for change”

When things don't go as you had hoped, you must learn why and “pivot”. Your path won’t be straight when you are starting your career change, and to “pivot” means to change direction in response to what you are learning in your online transition. As an example, perhaps you are a gardener and grow red roses. Over time you learn there is a very keen online audience passionate about yellow roses. You can choose to “pivot” your business to include yellow roses and connect with the new audience or not.

It is critical to be at ease with “pivoting” in your career change because it will be necessary for success. Often, the sense of failure or hopelessness appears at the edge of your next “pivot”. So, if the feeling of failure can help you to push through to success, let “pivoting” be your friend. Failure or going through the process of “pivoting”, will help you in the long run. 

Simon Reynolds is a serial entrepreneur and expert on human achievement. He says, 

“We need to understand and conquer failure if we are ever to master success.”

In his work, he describes sixteen causes of failure such as a money obsession, lack of persistence, not focusing on strengths, or mistaking IQ for EQ? 

“Failure is the ambitious person’s constant companion”  is another quote from Simon Reynolds. 

Seven-figure Blogger, Yaro Starak, says:

“Giving up is the main reason for failure. I have seen people fail because they have not prepared their mindset.”

Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance says:

“People need the stamina to practice and practice, to keep getting up when they fall, and to push past failures and take on challenges.”

Keep these quotes in mind because your online transition will seem complicated at first, and there will be times you feel like giving up. Whatever you do, follow a plan. Use the Savvy Experts Online approach or any others with a better fit for you. Take small steps, create early wins, and feel proud of your progress.

Limiting Thought #5: “Not knowing or remembering your Why.”

Find and know your “Why”, i.e., why you have started this journey of change.

Finding your “Why” will keep you focused, engaged and motivated.

Your “Why” will get you through the inevitable rough patches. Remind yourself of your “Why” to push you through.

There are many “Why” reasons to transition from the 9-5 to an online career creating multiple income streams.

ü For better work-life balance

ü To follow a career of your choice, not one made for you

ü For free time to explore your real potential

ü You feel trapped in the 9 am – 5 pm and want a new way to work

ü You want a side income or several streams of new revenue

ü You feel affected by age discrimination at work and want a fresh start

ü  You need to relocate and are uncertain whether you’ll find a job

ü You are tired of satisfying investors and corporate directors and now wish to focus on your needs

ü You are over office politics, deadlines, budgets, and clients and need a new place to work 

ü You are looking for a new job yet hide your achievements on your resume?

ü You see your retirement nest egg fading before your eyes

ü You reached a career ceiling, yet have much more to give

ü You seek more profound job satisfaction

ü The physical demands of your job are becoming too exhausting

ü You are looking for a job

ü You are looking to combine work with flexibility to care for others

There are different ways to discover your “Why”. If you are at a crossroads, there are entire courses and coaching devoted to discovering your “Why”.

What to learn more about your limiting beliefs? Type yes in the comments and I'll send you the checklist.

From Limiting Beliefs to the Growth Mindset

The flip side of limiting beliefs is enabling beliefs. People with “Growth Mindset” as we have enabling beliefs in spades. They are optimistic, take planned risks, they are aware of their limiting beliefs, they feel the patterns of the recurring limiting beliefs and their inner critic, they take control over limiting beliefs and move forward achieving their goals.

 “There’s no way in hell you’re going to have lasting success on a large scale without confidence because without confidence you're not going to take massive action. Massive action, learning from what doesn't work, changing your approach until you get to where you want is really what makes someone succeed long term in any context.” Tony Robbins