What to do if you want to change jobs but do nothing about it?
A psychologist on why we freeze in front of big tasks, and how to eat the elephant one piece at a time.
What to do if you want to change jobs but do nothing about it?
We're starting Monday with elephants, which we're finding ways to approach together with a psychologist-psychoanalyst and author of a Telegram channel.
How do you approach your elephants?
What to do if you want to change jobs but don't do anything about it?
Answered by a psychologist
This question comes up when the task in front of you seems huge and impossible.
Or when it seems there's a secret magic recipe that will let you get something done without doing anything.
But to change jobs, you'll have to do something. So, to begin with, explore the reasons for your inaction.
What is holding you back?
Fear of failure, fear of being mocked by others, shame at being at square one in your career when everyone around you is already achieving success?
The flip side of inaction is often a striving for perfection, perfectionism.
And starting a career from scratch means once again not being a super cool pro.
How can you help yourself?
It will be much easier if you start with small, manageable tasks.
There's a principle called the elephant method. An elephant is huge, so how do you approach it? Eat it piece by piece. Break big tasks into small ones, and if even those don't work out, split them into even smaller ones. Write down the main points you need. For example: researching fields, choosing where to study and intern, getting your first work experience.
Do something regularly, but make it something small.
What else will help?
Take a closer look at the things that bring you pleasure, even if you do them for free.
Explore new fields in practice, ask people in those fields about different professions, about their impressions and experience.
Good luck!
