Reluctantly Embracing Change – Lessons Learned From Two Major Career Moves

I wake up at the same time every day and eat the same breakfast. My wardrobe consists of the same dresses, trousers, and tops in slightly different colours or patterns. I go to the gym three times a week, not because I am super fit, but because not going feels more complicated and just plain wrong.

Like many neurodivergent people, I like consistency and routine and hate change.

Yet over the past fifteen years, I've made not one but two major career moves – significant changes – and don't regret either of them.

In this article, I'll discuss my two big moves and, most importantly, what I learned from the experience.

The First Career Move

Fifteen years ago, I left a senior leadership, director-level role in the finance sector to work as an unqualified lecturer in office administration at my local further education college.

I made the move because I wanted to do more meaningful work. I took a significant pay cut and a personal risk, as my contract at the college was maternity cover, so it was only for one year.

Despite a tough first year (I struggled with stress, anxiety, and burnout), I loved teaching and stayed at the college – in different roles – for fifteen years.

The Second Career Move

Now to my second big move – I left the college in 2023 and now spend half my week leading education for a local autism charity and the other half working for myself as a writer, trainer, and consultant, specialising in professional development and – as you already know – wellbeing-driven productivity.

Leaving the traditional education environment was hard because it was a comfortable, pensioned government job. I will always be a teacher in my heart, so the change in identity was difficult to navigate.

But it was the right move. I'm in my mid-forties and have started to understand myself and my needs better over the past few years. I need to be able to work flexibly and base myself at home. I also need to have control over my workload. I can do this in my new setup – even in my role working for the charity.

This career move, again, involved a significant pay cut (although my self-employed earnings are gradually increasing) and uncertainty. My employed role is a fixed-term contract, and self-employment has no guarantees.

It's still early days, but I feel happy with my choice.

What Did I Learn?

Here are some of the lessons I learned after two big career moves.

Lesson One: Know Your Number

If you are contemplating a career move that requires a pay cut, you need to know “your number”— how much you need to earn to live comfortably.

For me, this involved doing a very detailed personal budgeting exercise, and on both occasions, I realised I could live on far less money than I thought I could.

Not everyone will be in the same position as me – I appreciate that I write from a position of privilege – but the point is to know your number before you take the risk and make the move.

Lesson Two: Wants and Needs are Different Things

When contemplating a career move, assess what you want and need. For example, I drove a convertible when I was working in finance. I loved that convertible but did not need it, so I traded it for a secondhand car. My ego took a bit of a hit – I won't lie, I loved that car, but it cost me a fortune every month, and it was more important for me to do meaningful work.

In the end, it was an easy decision to make.

Lesson Three: There Will be an Adjustment Period

Both my major career moves required a significant adjustment period – things don't just click into place immediately. Having multiple “What have I done?” moments is perfectly normal. If this happens to you, try to remember your why. Why did you make this move? What motivated you?

If you leave a workplace where some of your colleagues are also friends, the adjustment period can feel even more difficult. You will miss your mates! However, there's an opportunity here. Make time for your (ex-colleague) friends – plan to see them often. Ultimately, your friendships will be stronger for it.

Lesson Four: This is an Opportunity to Establish Boundaries

Starting a new role is an opportunity to set healthy boundaries between work and home life. I left both roles to find work that more closely met my needs, and setting boundaries has been vital.

You might need to set some boundaries around "work talk" with those colleagues you left behind but still see as friends; this is especially important when adjusting to your new role.

Lesson Five: You Are Not Your Job

Going from boss to trainee – basically what I did in my first move – was hard, but I tried not to let my ego take over and approached the situation as a challenge. I relied on those around me with more experience and learned something new daily (I believe I paid this kindness forward later in my career).

When it comes down to it, you are not your job. You are a person first. It was helpful to remember that.

Lesson Six: Professional Relationships Matter

Maintaining positive relationships with former colleagues and employers has been incredibly useful and has created freelance and consulting opportunities. Try to leave on good terms.

Making a significant career change is daunting, but it's also empowering. It's a decision to take control of your professional journey and realign your work with your values, needs, and aspirations. To anyone contemplating a career shift, know it's not just about finding a new job. It's about rediscovering who you are and what you truly want from life.

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