Thinking about a career change but feeling scared?

This story explores how coaching helped one client work through fear of failure, reconnect with their goals, and choose a new path with confidence.

Hi Friends!

When Career Change Feels Both Exciting and Scary

A coaching client recently came to the realization they needed a career change in mid-life—and they’re considering going back to school as an adult learner. During our call, they shared that their first experience in post-secondary education was difficult. 

They were torn between the excitement of re-training for a new career and the  fear related to going back to the classroom (virtual or otherwise). 

Revisiting Old Stories About Failure

As we dug deeper into this, they shared something illuminating. They shared that they think of that academic period  as a waste, that they had failed. That it was the start of a low and challenging period for them in their late teens. 

They shared their fear of experiencing failure like that again. 

This is the heart of it—the inner resistance to making such a big change… Even though they graduated,  they felt like a failure. Of course they are hesitant to go back to school. Of course the academic environment is bringing up these insecurities. 

Coaching Through Career Transitions and Inner Resistance

As usual in a coaching call, I asked more questions including: How important  is this career change to them?  What happens for them long-term if they go for it?  What happens for them if they don’t?

As we tackled these questions one-by-one, their responses slowed down.

They become more thoughtful.

They dug deep—really checking in with themselves.

That is the part that feels like such a privilege for me—being trusted in these moments of transformation.

How Self-Reflection Helps You Get Unstuck

You come to the realization that you are a different person now than you were all those years ago.

You have more experience.

You have more resources.

You know how to ask for help when you need it.

The Power of a Safe Coaching Space for Change

The answer became clear: it was time to go for it.

This is the sweet spot of coaching, to use a safe space as we ponder what we really want,  how important it is for us to go for it and what scary things we are willing to do to get there. 

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

~Anais Nin

Your Turn: What Do You Want?

Does this resonate with you?

Have you ever used deep reflection to get clear on what you really want?

Send me a note and let me know, I would love to hear from you. I respond to all the emails I receive!

Stay awesome! Heather