Professional Blocks and Changes in the Covid Era

In today's article, I'll talk about the fears that come up when you want to make a change in your professional life, and how to figure out which choice is right for you right now.

A lot of people are starting to ask themselves questions about their jobs and what they do. More and more of them realize they're not fulfilled and would like to try something else. Whether it's freelancing or a small business, what matters is that they want to do something they love and make money from it. In other words, to work for themselves.

More and more people are tired of doing what needs to be done and want to do what they feel like doing.

But in this pandemic context, a lot of fears and doubts come up. The question arises: what if it doesn't work out?

What if this isn't for me? How do I even know what to choose?

Let's take, for example, employees who want to make the shift to freelancing. They feel like they no longer fit where they are, even though they keep telling themselves every day that they're doing the right thing. But it's not enough, and something keeps pushing them in another direction.

Paralyzed by fear — especially if you're already on this road to freedom, where you depend only on yourself — you start worrying and asking yourself questions about your safety and about what tomorrow holds.

But things can be simpler than they seem. You need new perspectives, because the narrow way you're looking at the world no longer works.

Are doors closing, or are opportunities opening? 

The problem is that you don't know what lies ahead, and you never will, not 100%. All you know are the tools and skills you have at hand. Things that depend on you and that can be improved and put to use.

What can you actually rely on, and what depends on you?

First of all, you need to figure out what you truly want. Then, go full throttle in that direction, and keep in mind that when your goal is your own growth as a person, you cannot fail. 

Think about who you need to become in order to follow the new direction that's taking shape or, if you don't know the direction yet, ask yourself who you want to become next. 

If you're just starting out on this road to autonomy, or maybe you're about to make the shift to working for yourself, and you used to have a certain amount of confidence, you might now be far more cautious about your decisions. But you know what? 

This is exactly the right moment to make decisions and to set the course for what's going to happen. Think about the people who are riding the wave right now, not about those who are still wondering whether to keep going the same way, hoping this too shall pass and everything will go back to normal. Nothing is going back to normal. And besides…what was normal before, anyway? 

Now we have the chance to create our own normal, built on our own values and principles.

So if you're still wondering what to do, and you're not sure whether to keep going or to start out on this road, I have a few tools for you 🙂

And there will be more. Keep an eye on me 😄  

So….

1. The first and foremost thing you need is clarity. That means defining your long-term goal from the start, as specifically and measurably as possible. Don't worry yet about whether it's achievable or not — we'll get there. Trust me a little 🙂

On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you want to get there? And why? 

2. Reality check. Where are you right now compared to the final result? That is, how close or far are you in terms of time, resources, and everything else achieving the goal requires.  

3. Obstacles. I told you we'd get here. The interesting part is that first you need to identify them: write down every obstacle you can see right now. Then take them one by one and break them into small pieces: maybe it's something that depends on you, or maybe it's someone who can help you.
Most of the time, obstacles exist only in our minds, and they're those beliefs that make us think we won't succeed — beliefs built on past experiences. This is actually where most of the work lies, but it isn't impossible, because you can work through them in a coaching process or with a mentor who challenges you to think differently, ask yourself new questions, and see other perspectives.

4. Criticism. By now you're probably already familiar with the free criticism from people around you. 
A few examples: "what got into you to do this?", "better stay put where you are, it's safe", "what if you don't make it?", "it's too risky", etc.

The most important thing for you is not to listen to what they say. Remember they're speaking from their own helplessness and frustration. It's not about you. 
Change happens when you start working on yourself, on who you are, and especially on who you want to become. It's the approach I've tested myself, and it has never let me down. And the results last.

Here I'll draw a parallel with an experience from my own past. Some time ago, going through a painful breakup, I chose to work on myself and on becoming the right kind of partner, to make sure I would attract someone with the same energy. At the time I had to choose between never trusting anyone again and treating relationships superficially, or looking at who I am and who I want to be. And yes, I took on that inner work, where I had to rebuild, from the ground up, everything I knew about relationships. It wasn't easy, but in the end I came out a winner.

5. Have a break 🙂 The benefits of breaks are well known, especially the ones that help us put our minds on pause. Do something that brings you joy and fills you with energy. Maybe a walk, painting, dancing, drawing — any activity that disconnects you. That way, you connect with your own creativity, and miraculous solutions to your challenges start to appear. After a well-deserved break, you'll have more clarity and energy.

I hope these suggestions are useful to you, and don't forget that this is a process, and that some things need time and space to take shape. If you want to talk to someone to gain more clarity, or if you're in a fog, I'm here, just an email or a phone call away.

Talk soon,

Raluca

P.S: On the same topic, I recommend the article: How to Succeed in Turbulent Times: The Transition from Employee to Freelancer