Thinking About a Career Transition? Don’t Repeat the 3 Mistakes I Made

If you’re considering a career transition, I want to share some of my biggest regrets so that you don’t make the same mistakes I did.

It took me 4 years to admit to myself that something was no longer right in my job. During that time, I kept dragging myself through a routine that didn’t fulfill me, hoping that things would get better on their own. I even changed companies, hoping the situation would improve, but it only got worse. This was my first mistake: not facing the need for change sooner.

Another major mistake was waiting so long to seek professional help. I was so trapped in my own fears and uncertainties that I couldn’t see what was really holding me back. It was only with the help of a career coach and a therapist that I finally gained the clarity I needed to see what had to be done.

And perhaps my biggest regret was taking too long to make the decision. The suffering I endured before deciding to change was much greater than the fear I felt after taking the first step. I made my career transition in the hardest way possible: I left the corporate world at the exact moment I was supposed to return from maternity leave, with no idea what I would do next. It didn’t have to be that way.

A career transition doesn’t have to be a leap into the unknown. It can, and should, be carefully planned.

So, if you’re thinking about changing careers, my advice is: Start planning now, seek help if you need it, and remember that a well-planned transition can be much smoother than you might imagine. Good luck!