How to navigate change and transform your career
Do you know it’s time to make a change in your career — but aren’t sure WHAT that looks like or HOW to get started?
Today, I’m talking about practical steps you can take to navigate a career crossroads.
I love this time of year when the Jacaranda trees are in bloom. It’s a sign of the changing seasons, as we transition from spring into another warm Australian summer. A time of change.
It’s also a reminder of where I was back in 2017.
Wandering through my local neighbourhood, noticing these bursts of beautiful purple flowers everywhere. Realising I’d lived in the area for a year and hadn’t ever taken a leisurely stroll around the block!
Following weeks of deliberation, I’d just decided to close my business for 2 months. I’d reached another cycle of complete burn-out after years of working late nights, weekends and 60+ hour weeks. I was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted and needed a break.
After a decade of repeating this cycle, I needed to make significant changes. This ultimately led to me overhauling my lifestyle, changing my business model and pivoting my career.
My story demonstrates that extreme change is sometimes necessary to make a shift and begin creating the life and work we truly want. But it doesn’t have to be this way for you.
In this article, I’m sharing 5 simple, actionable tips to help you successfully navigate change and transform your own career.
TIP #1 – DECLARE IT
Do you want to make a change in your career next year?
Perhaps you’ve achieved everything you set out to in your current career and you’re ready for a new challenge. Or you’ve hit the ceiling in your team and are evaluating how to redesign your role or what other pathways exist in your organisation.
It could be a niggling feeling something isn’t quite right — or a deep sense of frustration. Whatever it is, don’t wait until you’re so depleted or dissatisfied that you make a reactive decision — like quitting without a plan.
I remember having lunch with my dad one afternoon and finally sharing how unhappy I was. In that moment, it was a relief to say it out loud. And the first time I’d admitted it to myself.
Recognise right now if something’s not right. Because when you declare it, you can commit to changing it.
TIP #2 – IDENTIFY WHAT’S IMPORTANT
Who and what are important in your work and life? What do you want personally and professionally — and why?
Knowing the answers allows you to make career choices aligned with your values, not external expectations.
Ask yourself: What will I be honouring by making this decision? What will I be saying yes to? Or saying no to?
When you understand what matters most, you will make changes to create the career and life you want.
TIP #3 – SHIFT YOUR MINDSET
What’s really holding you back from change? The majority of time it’s not capability — but mindset.
My coaching clients often know WHAT they want (or at least sense what isn’t working in their careers). They may even have some ideas of the steps to take. Yet what holds them back 80% of the time are fears and limiting beliefs.
Fear of making the ‘wrong’ choice. The belief it’s too late to make a change. Or the pressure to maintain external success and anxiety about throwing away everything they’ve invested into their current career.
So how do you address mindset? The first step is to acknowledging the limiting belief, fear, old habit or behaviour holding you back.
Then, reframe it. Replace it with a new, more helpful one which honours your values and where you want to go. Finally, move into action.
When you shift your mindset, you will navigate change with confidence.
TIP #4 – TAKE ACTION
You’ve heard the saying: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Without action, you can’t expect your current career situation to change.
For high-achievers, this looks like overworking, staying stuck in analysis or trying to create the ‘perfect’ plan. Or you’re focusing on what you think you ‘should’ do or busy work — but not taking the right action.
Here’s how to break this cycle. First, think about the change you’d like to make and identify ONE small step you’re comfortable taking towards it. You could contact someone you know to learn more about the work they do and explore career pathways available in your organisation or industry.
Second, come up with the extreme version of this step — something outrageous and way beyond what you believe is possible. For example, initiating 30-40 conversations, including outreach to cold or high-level contacts you wouldn’t normally approach.
The definition of comfortable and challenging will be different for each person. The point is to identify an easy goal, then something completely uncomfortable.
Finally, settle on an action which sits between the two. For instance, arranging 5-10 targeted conversations with warm connections or introductions and having a clear intention behind each one.
When you stretch yourself, you will take action far outside your original comfort zone.
TIP #5 – GET SUPPORT
As you navigate any change, having the right support network is essential. For me, this came in the form of family and friends, investing in a coach, finding a mentor and joining a peer mastermind.
As a senior leader, there are very few people you can speak to openly about your career. Those who aren’t emotionally involved (like family) or influenced by internal politics within your organisation. Having someone in your corner as a sounding board and strategic advisor gives you a level of objectivity you can’t find inside your immediate circle or environment.
Change also takes time — and doing it on your own can take years. One new client first reached out 3 years ago and another returned recently after trying to work through it alone for the past year. This is why I partner with clients over a 3-6 month period, using a structured process and proven methodology to create the results they want, faster.
When you have the right support, you will transform your career with clarity, confidence and a personalised strategy.
Change is challenging and requires plenty of courage and commitment to execute. These tips helped my clients and I create meaningful, lasting changes in our careers. I hope they support you too!
Ready to find clarity, navigate change with confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Apply to work with me inside Ignite Your Career.
Book your free 30 minute consult HERE to get started!
Stacey Back is The Career Planning Specialist, an executive career coach and speaker. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.