Changing careers is a challenging process. You will need the right mindset, knowledge, and networking skills to move forward.
When you were a child, adults often asked, "What are you going to do when you grow up?" Your eyes lit up with possibilities: "A chef!" "A princess!" Perhaps even "Santa!"
Now that you are older and are considering a career change, you look at your current situation and find it less than you had hoped for: You want more. Instead of lighting up as they once did, your eyes are a bit more measured in their response. They are cautiously searching for inspiration, motivation, or courage. Many women have successfully changed careers—and so can you. As you begin to contemplate making a transition, ask yourself, "Do I have the right mindset?"
Develop your healthy mindset
Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Mindset is a simple idea from Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck—and it can be a major factor in the success of your career transition.
In a fixed mindset: People believe their basic qualities, such as their intelligence, talent, and skills, are unchangeable traits. They believe that talent and giftedness alone create success. They're wrong. Believing their qualities are carved in stone—their fixed mindset—creates an obligation to prove themselves over and over, instead of being open to growth. Women who enter a career transition with this type of mindset are destined to struggle.
In a growth mindset: People believe their abilities can be developed through dedication, effort, and hard work—and brains, talents, and natural skills are merely the foundation for them to build their success. A growth mindset creates a desire for learning and a resilience that is essential for any kind of transition. Research shows that people who cultivate their growth mindset throughout their lives are more motivated and productive. Are you ready to grow, learn, and be stretched?
To read more in West Michigan Woman magazine about what to do when you are considering a career change, click here.
