Blog Post 21: How to Navigate Career Transitions Without the 'Compare and Despair' Trap
In the midst of a coaching session, I found myself across from one of my amazing Mum client’s, Emily, a skilled lawyer eager for a career shift. Her passion for the startup world was palpable. As we delved into her aspirations, it was clear: she sought a new avenue for her organisational prowess and project management skills in the dynamic startup landscape.
Emily's vision was clear—she aimed to leverage her legal acumen into an operations role within a startup. Yet, despite her fervour, as we began drafting her targeted job search strategy, a hurdle arose. Each time she identified a key contact, a hesitation lingered. The barrier? Comparison.
Like many incredible individuals navigating career transitions, Emily found herself measuring her aspirations against the achievements and experiences of others. The more she looked at potential connections in her desired field, the more she doubted her worthiness. This comparison trap held her back from taking that crucial leap, fearing she might not measure up or be seen as a credible contender.
This pattern is all too common. Clients are brimming with excitement when they gain career clarity about their newfound career path, only to lose steam when they start sizing themselves up against individuals already established in their dream roles. This 'compare and despair' phenomenon can shatter one's confidence and hinder progress.
In coaching, I often emphasise a crucial shift in perspective. Rather than viewing these accomplished individuals as unattainable benchmarks, they should be seen as inspirations, guiding lights showcasing what's possible. These pioneers walked a path that others aspire to tread—how fortunate to have a blueprint to navigate a similar journey?
Comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 10 is a recipe for self-doubt, critical self-talk, overwhelm and staying stuck.
Instead, recognising your own unique skills, experiences, and the value you can offer paves the way forward.
Embracing diverse experiences—like my journey through law, public relations, and executive recruitment—illustrates the rich tapestry of skills one accumulates, enriching your potential contributions to any new industry or role.
My own evolution from law to entrepreneurship, honed in the whirlwind of New York's executive recruitment scene, wasn't a linear trajectory. It taught me invaluable skills, connecting dots that eventually led me to success in the legal arena and then again as an entrepreneur and coach.
The key? It's not about comparing; it's about learning, evolving, and embracing the diverse chapters that culminate in your unique professional narrative.
Emily, like so many clients, discovered that her worth and potential weren’t tethered to the experiences of others. Recognising her value and unique journey, she approached her job search strategy with newfound confidence. She saw herself not as an imposter, but as a skilled professional ready to carve her distinct path in the startup world.
The lesson is simple: Embrace your journey. Don't ‘compare and despair’ and let others' successes stifle your growth. That is fixed mindset thinking and not growth mindset and abundance thinking.
Your story, with all its chapters, is what makes you an asset, it’s what makes you uniquely positioned to provide the value only you can provide. So rather than looking at another person and comparing yourself to them, look at the other person and feel inspired by them.
From that feeling of inspiration it will be a whole lot easier to think about all of the ways you add value to your newfound career path, and then take action from that inspired and energised place.
Love Loren x
