A career transition is a frightening crossroad to encounter, but life will inevitably throw twists and turns our way when least expected so being prepared is a benefit. Recently, the twist of a very public acquisition had me rethinking the course of my career.
At the beginning of the year, I would have never imagined that my career plans would be derailed. However, a swift and painfully public bank run forced me to reevaluate my life. The fulfillment and security of a position I was confident in was pulled from underneath my feet in a matter of weeks. It was a devastating blow that left me feeling lost. A lonely predicament that is not all that uncommon in the fast-paced environment we live in today. Now adrift in the vast ocean of life, an important question arises: where do I go from here? Or shall I say, where do we go from here? According to an article by TechCrunch, to-date 224,503 tech layoffs have occurred in 2023 alone. This leads me to believe that my experience and the feelings that followed may not be so unique.
Step 1: Accepting Change
It has become evident that in the quest for self-discovery, there exists a profound paradox: to find oneself, one must first lose oneself. This concept challenges traditional wisdom, urging us to abandon familiar identities and embrace change. There is no better time than the present to embark on the transformative journey of self-discovery and recognize the significance of letting go of one’s old self. A few helpful tips on embracing a career transition are below:
- Acknowledge the change occurring in your life.
- Understand the emotions you are feeling are normal and take the time to feel them through.
- Seek support by talking to trusted friends and family to gain different perspectives.
- Stay flexible and embrace adaptability so you can identify opportunities that this career transition will bring.
Step 2: New Routines
Let’s address the topic of routine. Frankly, humans are creatures of habit, finding solace in the predictability of their daily lives. We usually wake up, prepare for the day, and tend to our daily routines. It is this routine that keeps us functioning like a well-oiled machine. However, when something as crucial as a career suddenly gets stripped away, the machine inevitably breaks down. Now is the moment to construct a new routine, which means bidding farewell to the old one.
The upcoming months will be a period of trial and error during a career transition, with days that may feel chaotic and uncertain. Nevertheless, great things take time. An action plan must be crafted to be the catalyst for purpose and happiness. I implore you to create a plan of your own, but before doing so, there are a few action items you must undertake:
- Write down all the things you need to let go of to shape the life you desire, which includes preconceived notions, societal expectations, deeply ingrained beliefs or values, and attachments that define your identity.
- Tidy up your external environment to cultivate inner tidiness, which could be as simple as organizing your refrigerator or as complex as cutting ties with individuals who hinder your personal growth.
Step 3: Research
Uncovering your purpose and true identity does not simply occur by chance. It necessitates thorough research and unwavering commitment to create a life that ignites your inner passion. The subsequent step is aimed at studying and cultivating this life you seek to explore. Immerse yourself in research whenever possible, whether it be through:
- Reading literature before bed or while waiting at appointments or meetings.
- Listening to podcasts while driving, cleaning, or during a walk.
- Watching documentaries, if available.
- Seeking out connections with businesses or individuals whom you admire and wish to learn from.
- Participate in events hosted by industry leaders and expand your network
Step 4: Plan
Before creating, adequate planning is a prerequisite. It would be tragic to run a marathon only to reach the brink of the finish line without crossing it. Consider planning as the path to crossing the finish line itself, and therefore, dedicate the necessary time to construct an actionable plan that details the course of your days, weeks, and months ahead. Implement and refine this plan diligently and consistently, allowing for the assurance of your success. An action plan could look like the following:
- Define you goal
- Set a deadline
- Break it down into smaller, actionable steps
- Prioritize tasks
- Create a timeline
- Allocate resources
- Monitor progress
- Stay flexible
- Stay accountable
- Stay committed
- Seek feedback
- Celebrate milestones
Step 5: Create
The act of creating is invariably the most exciting aspect of this process. It is the vibrant stage where you witness your labor of love grow, stumble, and succeed. The plan is now in place and the only thing left to do is create the life you desire. Get started and share your progress with Ikigai Ally.
The journey to self-discovery is not a linear path, but rather a transformative expedition. Therefore, if you are thinking of quitting your job and need a guide to resigning to make this career transition a reality, then you have come to the right place. You are in control of your life and by embracing the notion of losing oneself, we embark on a profound quest to uncover our true essence. Through relinquishing old routines, delving into passionate research, and crafting a comprehensive plan, we unlock our untapped potential and encounter a deep sense of purpose and contentment. Dare to lose yourself, and in doing so, you may ultimately find your authentic identity.