How do you reorient yourself professionally? Because we change over time, it’s possible that our current profession no longer appeals to us, and that we feel the need for a change! This is perfectly normal. But how can we avoid the stress and fear of changing jobs? Here are 10 tips to help you start your career transition with confidence and serenity.

1 – Reorienting: making a list of the whys

It’s normal to feel stressed and doubtful when it’s time to change direction. After all, every change of life is a bit, if not a lot, of a shake-up.

That’s why I wholeheartedly invite you to make a list of your whys and wherefores.

What makes you want to change direction? What do you want and what don’t you want anymore?

Don’t put any filters or limits on your whys. Be totally honest with yourself.

Above all, realize that you have every right to want a career change. That doesn’t make you selfish or unstable, it makes you a person who takes care of his or her own happiness and well-being. That’s quite a different thing.

Take the time to make this list.

Then keep it carefully. For all those times when you doubt yourself, doubt your decision to make a career change, read this list and remind yourself why you need and want this change in your life.

2 – Dare to dream about your ideal professional life

Too often, we put up barriers. In fact, we replace our “I want”, “I want to” or even “I dream of” with “I must” and “I must”.

What if you allowed yourself to dream? To dream big?

You have the same right as everyone else on Earth to be happy in your work.

You have the right to have a job that you enjoy, a job in which you can fully develop yourself.

So stop putting up barriers and dare to dream.

To do so, I invite you to ask yourself this question: If I lived in an ideal world, what would my job be? What kind of professional life would I lead? Where would I be? Who would I be with? What would I be doing? What would I be doing? How would I feel?

Here again, take your time to answer this question.

Then write down your answer on a piece of paper and keep it safe.

And, whenever your fears and doubts come up and tell you: “Don’t dream!”, reread this sheet.

Because you’re here to dream and live your dreams!

3 – Reorienting yourself: get support

If you want to reorient yourself professionally and with complete peace of mind, it’s essential to get support.

It’s a project that will bring us face to face with our doubts and fears, and we need to be listened to and supported.

Unfortunately, those closest to us are not always available or capable of providing this support.

That’s why you should turn to an organization specialized in professional reconversions.

In other words, dare to talk about your desires and plans to people who can offer you a listening ear and support.

4 – Take your time

It’s essential to take your time when you want to change direction.

We tend to be impatient because we live in a world where everything moves too fast.

So we’d like to reorient ourselves within the year, so that it doesn’t take too long.

That said, taking your time avoids making mistakes and, above all, avoids making choices out of fear of not going fast enough.

In fact, maybe your dream career is going to take a lot of learning before you really get going. But so what?

Aren’t you here to learn and grow?

So give yourself all the time you need to do what you really want to do and live what you really want to live in this life.

You know, it’s not so much the destination that counts, it’s the path.

In other words, if you get up every day for a certain period of time with the conviction that you’re moving in the right direction, no matter how far you’ve already come, you’ll feel like you’re in the right place doing what’s right for you. And that’s the most important thing.

5 – Career change: making peace with the present

For me, it’s essential in any life change to make peace with the present.

And, in the context of a career change, it’s essential to make peace with your current job.

In other words, don’t invite anger, or even sadness, into what you’re doing right now.

On the contrary, invite joy and love.

You know, happiness isn’t about having everything you want, it’s about loving what you have.

That’s why you should see your current job as a springboard for your future one.

So replace boredom and frustration with gratitude and joy.

Take a breath. Don’t wait to change everything in your life to be happy. In other words, don’t put conditions on your happiness.

Remember, you can be happy here and now, whatever your circumstances.

6 – Allow yourself to change

Sometimes, we doubt our right to reorient ourselves professionally. We’re afraid of destabilizing our family life. Especially when we’re carrying a mortgage, for example.

So we have a lot of doubts. We may find ourselves selfish, unconscious and unstable.

But what if we were simply human beings? With needs and dreams?

Don’t speak harshly to yourself during this period of professional reorientation.

In fact, don’t ever talk down to yourself. (laughs)

To do this, I invite you to imagine that what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, is a dear friend of yours who’s feeling and thinking the same as you. Imagine what you would say to him to reassure him and encourage him in his reorientation?

In other words, talk to yourself as you would talk to a friend.

7 – How to change direction: dare to disappoint

You may be afraid of disappointing your family, your parents, your current colleagues, your friends…

In fact, you’re afraid that if you step out of line, others won’t recognize you and will reject the new person you’re becoming.

It’s normal to be afraid of rejection, but that shouldn’t stop you from following your needs and dreams.

What’s more, it’s quite possible that you’re overestimating the impact your reorientation will have on those close to you.

In fact, give them time to get used to it.

It’s normal for people to overreact at first, because they’re afraid for you. Besides, most people don’t like change.

In other words, you’re annoying them by trying to get out of the nice place they’ve put you in.

Give them time to get used to it.

And, in the meantime, keep doing what’s right for you.

8 – Listen to your heart

We’re used to listening to other people’s opinions about us and our lives. As if they knew us better than we do. As if they had the right to direct our lives, for our own good.

What if you took back your power over your life?

To do so, learn to listen to your heart instead of listening to others.

In fact, when you feel the need to ask your loved ones for advice, stop for a moment.

Sit comfortably in a quiet place and take 10 deep breaths.

Then ask yourself: “What do I think about this? What do I want to do?”

Because you know what’s good for you!

So get into the habit of questioning your heart and listening to it.

9 – Reorienting: thinking solutions rather than problems

Here again, it’s a habit we’ve learned: see problems rather than solutions.

That famous “yes but” that opens us up to all the obstacles on our future path and closes the doors to our own life.

How about thinking “solutions”?

For this, I wholeheartedly invite you to create a “My solutions” list.

Specifically, for each problem, take the time to find at least 3 different solutions.

Give yourself permission to think big, to be creative and to have confidence in yourself. Give yourself permission to ask for help and advice from qualified people.

In other words, stop letting problems stop you from changing your career path.

10 – Allowing yourself to be happy in your career transition

When it comes to quitting your job and choosing a career you really enjoy, it’s essential to give yourself permission to be happy!

Because you’re only here for a short time, you don’t have time to lock yourself into a place you don’t like, or adapt to things you don’t like.

Remember, you’re free. Free to change, to take risks and to live your dreams.

Choose yourself. Choose your happiness. Every moment of the day!

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Change your life at 40: 7 essential tips
Discover Successful change: the 4 mistakes that prevent you from changing

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks
David Brooks explores the concept of self-redirection at a deeper level, moving from individual aspirations to a more moral, purpose-driven life. The book looks at the transformative journey of finding meaning and connection beyond personal success, guiding readers on the path to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. If you’re looking to redirect your life toward a higher purpose, Brooks offers profound insights and reflections.

This is a highly informative book that gets you thinking about life and how you play your part in the community.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself