Page 21 - Marky Stein - Fearless Career Change_ The Fast Track to Success in a New Field (2004)

Overcoming Your Fears

Take a look at some common and very understandable fears
I’ve heard my clients express when faced with the prospect of
exploring a new and different occupation. If you, too, have one or
more of the following fears, we’re going to take a serious look at
them in this chapter and utilize some techniques that can help you
get around and through them.

• “Every time I mention my dream career to people, they say
it’s too competitive and I’m safer where I am.”

• “I think I’m too young to change careers. What if I look like
I’m ‘job hopping’?”
• “I don’t have the money to go back to school to get an
advanced degree.”
• “I really want a new career, but I’m afraid my savings account
or severance pay will wear out before I find a new position.”
• “If I have to show up at my present job for one more day, I’m
going to explode with boredom (or stress). The trouble is, I
have no idea about what I want to do next!”
• “I’d like to be a _________________, but I don’t think I’d
meet the requirements.”
• “I’ve dreamed so long about being a _________________,
but I’m afraid I’ll fail.”
• “I absolutely hate my job, but if I just stay a little bit longer,
I’ll get a bonus. I’ll just think about a career change next
year.”
• “I’m completely stuck. I have several careers in mind, but I
don’t want to pick the wrong one. Maybe I’ll just wait for a
sudden inspiration.”

• “I’m too old. Nobody starts a new business at age 74.”
• “I’ve always wanted to be a _______________, but a (parent,
teacher, friend, guidance counselor) told me I would never
make it.”
• “If I become a big success at my new job, my friends will get
jealous and reject me.”
• “If I had a new career where I felt really happy, I don’t think
I could handle it. I’d have nothing to worry about anymore.”

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