Career Advice

4 Ways to Let Go of Fears About Your Career

posted on October 9, 2017 | by Chelsea Becker

4 Ways to Let Go of Fears About Your Career

Diving into your career head first is very exciting in theory, but when it comes to actually making the big moves, fear can stop you in your tracks. It can really hold you back and even prevent you from pursuing something you’re passionate about. Letting go of that fear can honestly change your life in the best way, and can only help move the needle on your career. If you know this is something that’s holding you back, here’s my best advice on leaving it behind!

Get support from others in your industry

Finding a mentor or someone in the same space you’re in can provide tons of guidance and support. It’s also important to remember that phrase you’ve probably heard a million times, but never knew if it was actually true—it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Putting yourself out there and finding people with similar interests and career paths is always a good idea. It can only lead to more opportunities, which is never a bad thing, right?

Stop worrying about judgement

So many times we let the judgement of others stop us from doing something we really want to do—I know I’ve been guilty of this a time or two. It’s easy to say you don’t care, but really making the conscious choice to set judgement aside is much more difficult. Once you’re able to do it, though, it’s one hundred percent worth it. I guarantee you’ll suddenly feel so free and probably a little surprised at how much you’re capable of accomplishing once that weight is lifted.

There’s nothing wrong with pursuing a “nontraditional” career

It used to be that when you entered the workforce and hated it, there weren’t a lot of other options out there. And if you complained to friends or family, they might just respond by telling you to “suck it up.” Not because they don’t care about your happiness, but it’s just what people do—they go to college, get a job and then spend every day going to work at the same building. Well today, especially with the Internet, there’s SO much a person can do. It’s exciting, but there will still be a lot of people who don’t understand. That’s OK, but don’t let your friends and family not understanding stop you from pursuing a “nontraditional” career. I learned this the hard way!

Fake it ’til you make it

I look at my mentors and people I admire who have forged paths in their industries, and the older I get and more experience I gain, I realize that everyone, even the people I idolize, faked it at some point. It’s not a bad thing! If you seem scared and unsure, how would you ever get any clients or make people believe you know what you’re doing? It would be pretty difficult. So, even if you’re trembling and crying on the inside, be confident and strong on the outside.

What advice do you have for dealing with fears about your career?