If you’re thinking about making a career change, the chances are you’re also feeling pretty overwhelmed by the idea of it.
Before I made a shift myself, I spent a long time feeling paralysed by the significance of that word “change”, mainly because my Inner Saboteur had plenty to say about it. Things like:
- Change is scary and you’ll probably fail
- If you’re going to do it, get on with it quickly
- You’d best do something completely different, but what?
- If you think hard enough you’ll find the answer.
No wonder I felt paralysed. When we see change as a big, dramatic leap, our primitive brain kicks in. And because our careers touch both identity and financial security, the fear can feel overwhelming.
The reframe that changes everything is to move from “career change,” to “career transition”.
Transition, not a leap
Transition is about moving gradually from one place to another. It’s a process, not an overnight jump. William Bridges, in his book Transitions, described three phases we all go through as we move into something new:
- Endings: Letting go
The first step is realising that your current role is no longer the right fit. Sometimes it’s obvious—you feel bored, drained, or unmotivated. Other times, it’s subtle—you may like what you do, but the thought of progressing further on the same path is at best uninspiring or at worst something that fills you with dread.
Endings can be bittersweet. You might feel relief at leaving behind a difficult manager or uninspiring culture, while also grieving the loss of colleagues or projects you’ve enjoyed. That’s normal—it’s part of the process.
- The Neutral Zone: The messy middle
Next comes the in-between stage. You know what you don’t want, but you don’t yet know what you do want. It can feel uncomfortable and scary—but with self-reflection and experimentation you will get through it.
Self-reflection includes looking at important areas such as:
- What do I truly value?
- What strengths and skills do I enjoy using most?
- What motivates me about work?
- What kind of working environment helps me thrive?
Once you understand these things you can explore options by running mini experiments: take a short course, shadow someone, start a side project, and, importantly, talk to people in fields that interest you. Every experiment gives you evidence—either “yes, this feels right” or “no, this isn’t for me.” Both answers are useful.
- New Beginnings: Moving forward
Eventually, clarity arrives. You discover a path that excites you and feels like a good fit. This stage often comes with fresh energy and motivation. Even if you need to learn new skills, the excitement of finding work that feels fulfilling for you makes the learning feel worthwhile.
Over time, you’ll grow into your new professional identity—and because careers are rarely linear anymore, you’ll probably repeat this cycle again in future.
Why this reframe matters
When we think of career change as a transition, we give ourselves permission to take time, experiment, and learn along the way. It stops being about one big, scary leap, and starts being about small steps that lead to a better fit.
So, if your Inner Saboteur is whispering that you have to figure everything out now and make a dramatic change, take a breath. You don’t need to change everything overnight. You’re in transition—and that’s exactly where you’re meant to be.
Many thanks to Mabel Amber for the use of her image.
