A Perspective on a New Career Direction

My seven-year work anniversary at Salesforce is coming up, and last year (not knowing we are about to enter a phase that will rewrite the rules of the world) I decided to switch to a new career direction.?

At first, I felt it was bad timing, bad luck… but what seemed totally off track gradually proved to be one of the most valuable learnings in my career to date. This brings me to reflecting?here on LinkedIn, to share what worked for me, what I guess did not work, and where I had to learn the hard way. And maybe it gives you an impression or at least a perspective if you are questioning a recent move, or are thinking of making a switch into new unknown waters.

As you close the comfort zone door behind you there are a couple of new acquaintances that you will make. You wont like them but you will learn how to deal with them as you progress. One of these is the good old imposter syndrome… it will always be there like an unwanted guest. We know why it is there – new job area, new responsibilities, new people, new challenges.?But instead of trying to find ways of making it disappear it is more about learning how to control this feeling. And the HOW, is exactly what I want to shed some light on:

Strong Foundation?

The process itself is not an easy one, so you must have a strong foundation that will be there to give you that push along the way. Supportive family, friends and trusted mentors that know you (and when I mean know you, I mean all of you). Don’t pretend to be okay, when you are not okay. If it all gets too much then let it out – just be sure to have your circle of trust around you.?The road less travelled will always surprise you.

Control What You are Able to Control?

Prepare, plan and educate yourself as much as you can with the resources you have available to you. Being an employee at Salesforce I have a huge range of options to get up to speed fast e.g with our on-demand learning platform Trailhead. The second I came across something that I just had no clue about, I immediately checked? if we had a trail around that subject. I also made an effort to spend as much time as possible listening and talking to individuals who inspired me and reinforced desire. Last but not least ask that question that's sitting at the tip of your tongue, never shy away from it.

Balancing Between Deliberation and Action

Keep a balance between thinking vs doing. Being in a brand new role in a brand new area, I never really allowed an equal split between the two. I was overthinking so much it almost drove me to a level of fatigue at the start. I found myself working late hours but I was not being productive or effective. In order to reinforce the learning process, drive physical interaction with the world around you and take the time to reflect and process information. It took me some time to figure this out of course myself, where I came to a point of exhaustion and had no other choice but to just let the 20% free fall and realised the world had not come to an end. So I guess it is a mindset shift, but understanding what the default trait is for you, is key to then be able to balance the other around it.?

L.David Marquet asserts that the balancing between deliberation and action can be described in several ways

A focused, exclusive, driving, proving mindset is best for doing. An open, curious, seeking, improving mindset is best for thinking. (Marquet 2020:14)?

Be Patient With Yourself and Trust the Process?

With a shift into a completely new world, you need to allow yourself the time to learn. Believe me patience has never really been my strong suit and I learnt it the hard way, rummaging around late nights, putting in extended hours, working weekends, trying to do it ALL as soon as possible….it was simply exhausting. A fast start is only as fast as the quality we are able to process and allow to sink in. Allow yourself the time to step into your power which is rightfully yours whenever you are ready.

The beautiful thing is that there is a silver lining, no matter what happens, and I repeat: really no matter what happens you will come out a winner. It's not about the end goal, it really and here comes the cliché saying ( yes I cannot believe I am about to say it myself) it is about the journey.?

It is the moment of knowing yourself better, being even more comfortable in your own skin, who you are and why you made it here in the first place. That moment is a pretty special moment and will pave a way for you to have endless possibilities.?

Because what you have reached is not just a job switch and the challenges that come with it. What you have reached is the transition into a higher gear of yourself, and that ice cold water that was numbing you at the start is now not feeling so bad anymore as you learn how to stride in new conditions.?