Career Change Requires Commitment to Yourself

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.” ~ W. H. Murray

Have you ever started something new and then wondered why it just fizzled out? Could it be that some small part of you was holding back, keeping you from being totally committed?

If you truly want the change that you’re seeking, your commitment must be total. Otherwise, there will always be a way out, a “chance to draw back.”

Making a career change involves exploring what’s important to you, clarifying the work you want to do, and creating a map or strategy for reaching your goals. But as you set out on your career change journey, you may encounter a few things that can get in the way of your full commitment:

You fear the unknown. You’re never going to know exactly how things will turn out. But committing to a course of action doesn’t mean you have to take a total leap of faith. After all, you’ve spent time doing your research, right? You’ve explored what that new career looks like. You’ve spent some time talking to people who are working in that field. You’ve finally clarified what you want to do and have a good idea of the steps you’ll need to take to get there.

It’s not your path. Maybe the choice you made seemed like the logical thing to do at the time. Maybe it seemed the easiest… or the quickest. Or your best friend thought you’d be good at it. Unless the career path you choose comes from you, it will be very difficult to maintain your commitment. I like Carlos Castaneda‘s suggestion – “Before you embark on any path ask the question: Does this path have heart?” Are you following where your heart leads?

You want to leave your options open. Are you afraid that choosing one career option means you don’t get to sample all the other interesting possibilities out there? Making a commitment doesn’t mean you’re closing the door on other, just as viable, options. In fact, you may find that you can combine several of your interests, or come back to them later. What commitment means is that you’re no longer standing still. You’re finally moving forward with focus and intention.

You’re ambivalent about what it will take to get there. I know it’s a cliché, but change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and hard work. But this is what trips up so many people. They know what they want. They know they’re capable. But they shrink away when faced with the prospect of acquiring new skills, stepping up their networking efforts, or learning up-to-date marketing techniques. They’re not willing to do all that their transition requires of them.

To create change in your life, you must step into the unknown with both feet, and be willing to give it the time and energy it deserves.

It helps to stop and ask yourself what it is you’re committing to. When you come down to it, isn’t your first commitment to yourself? To make the most of your natural gifts and talents? To follow your path with all your heart?

When you stay the course and do what it takes, even when times get tough (as they will), you can trust that “all sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.”

What would it look like if you were to make a full commitment to yourself?

Photo credit: rightee / CC license

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