Alexandra Humbel
  • Home
  • About
  • Coaching
  • Acclaimed Lives
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Book a Call
  • English
    • Français
    • English
  • Menu Menu
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook

Tag Archive for: Second Act

Career Transitioning: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Earlier (Part 1)

Career Transitioning
Career Transitioning - Things I wish I'd known earlier - by Alexandra HumbelAlexandra Humbel

My mentor suggested that I write a post about the things I wish I had known earlier about career transition. I liked the idea and, based on my personal journey as well as my experience as a coach, I started with a half dozen points aimed at helping professionals get on the fast lane. I ended up with twice as many points, and the kind of long article I, myself, have a hard time digesting. Hence the decision to stick to 10 essential points, dispatched in 2 posts. This is Part I, I hope you enjoy the read. Part II is available here.

10 Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier About Career Transitioning.

1. You are not alone

Studies show that an increasing number of experienced professionals are undertaking a career change, and even more are considering it. Three-fifths of UK workers (60%) intend to make changes to their careers as a result of the Covid outbreak, an increase of seven percentage points since July 2020 (53%).*

So why does it feel weird and lonely? It is because nothing prepared you to handle one or several career changes in your life. Society tends to assign you a role, tied to a life cycle: In your junior years, you prove your competence. As you are getting experienced, you excel in your field. And then, what? You retire. While there is nothing wrong with linear career paths, it does not work for everyone. Probably not for you, if you are reading these lines. 

2. Your skills are transferable – All of them

My clients who crave a new career are taken aback by the thought that their expertise might be lost when they change jobs. It is natural to take pride in those skills you have mastered over time. The good news is, you take everything with you on the journey.  Those skills will manifest in creative ways, coming in handy to serve your goals while you are expanding in your new project. Interestingly, ancient or dormant skills will show up and prove valuable to handle new situations. Your brain creates new circuits while tapping into resources you did not remember you had. And this is particularly refreshing. 

 

3. It is OK to be lost in transition

Describing career transitions as uncomfortable is an understatement. More accurately: Everything which made you feel grounded in social status is gone. Welcome to unchartered territories, where nobody is waiting for you with your name on a sign. No driver, no limousine. It requires courage to leave the familiar in order to become a new version of yourself. Uncomfortable, scared, and excited all together, highs and lows are in order. But, as Maya Angelou said: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” The butterfly is you.

4. Money and time are no excuses

“I will do a job I really love when I have enough time, or money” (or both). 

Does that sound familiar? Of course, these two factors are critical components of a decision, and critical metrics to monitor all along the way. Controlling your time and financial resources through a career transition will be essential to succeed. Be aware that the conservative, risk-averse part of you will always show up with these massive excuses that are the lack of (or the fear of lack of) time and or money. Or both. It is your call to let these fears be the master of you.

5. Nature is in constant change and so are you

“Nothing is absolute, everything changes, everything moves, everything evolves, everything flies and goes away”.

These lines written by the fascinating artist Frida Kahlo can be interpreted as words of regret and melancholy. Or, from another perspective, as the constant evolution of all things that allow rebirth, re-invention, possibilities, relief, reboot, rejuvenation, and creation. When looking back at your career, you may take pride in what you have achieved, and, simultaneously, realize that this pattern is no longer fulfilling you. You can cherish your past achievements and look forward to what you are going to do next. This is not a lack of consistency in your choices. It is about the inherent nature of all of us, to thrive in movement or shrink in stagnation.

 

Continue reading part 2 of this post

 


*Aviva “How do we live” Report, 2021

by Alexandra Humbel
https://alexandrahumbel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/career-transition-lessons-alexandra-humbel-career-coach.jpg 868 1300 Alexandra Humbel https://alexandrahumbel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/alexandra-humbel-logo.png Alexandra Humbel2021-11-13 22:52:072022-03-25 04:57:42Career Transitioning: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Earlier (Part 1)

Switch Language

  • Français
  • English

Recent Articles

  • Soldier to LeaderClassically Neat at Ralph Lauren, from soldier to leader01/03/2023 - 12:57 am
  • Alexandra Humbel standing in front of a painting by Franck Stella at NSU in Fort Lauderdale, FloridaAlexandra Humbel CoachingIs your career coming to an end? Why it is just a transition and you shouldn’t be scared18/10/2022 - 9:53 am
  • Retirement Age Versus Marketplace Reality: The Elephant in The Room- By Alexandra HumbelAlexandra HumbelRetirement Age Versus Marketplace Reality: The Elephant in The Room18/10/2022 - 9:01 am
  • 7 Tell-Tale Signs You Need a Career Transition - By Alexandra HumbelAlexandra Humbel Coaching7 Tell-Tale Signs You Need a Career Transition05/09/2022 - 10:40 am

Popular Topics

Alexandra Humbel Alexandra Humbel Coaching Benoit Runel big picture Breaking through obstacles career Career Advice Career Change Career Coaching Career Goals Career Transitioning Career Transitioning Tips Career Transition Tips Change Change of Career Changing Jobs classically neat Dealing with Career Changes Ed Kushins Executive Coaching Exiting Career fashion Grounding leader Leadership Leadership Lessons Letting go Life Changes life coaching Life Lessons Negativity Personal Development Personal growth ralph lauren Reinvent Yourself Retirement Retirement Age Second Act soldier soldier to leader Sunk Cost Fallacy Thierry Mugler Work-Life Balance Wynwood Walls zooming out

STAY UP TO DATE

Stay connected and receive updates, free tools and resources.

Website by Done Digital
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
Scroll to top