Changing careers can feel scary. I am right in the thick of changing careers again. Still clinging onto what I was doing last year. Setting up and learning skills for the one ahead. With each new challenge the same old thoughts come up:

• Is this the right choice for me?
• Can I do it?
• Will it be successful?
• Am I just going down the wrong career path again?

These thoughts can be helpful. They can help us to assess the risks we are taking. They can help us to knuckle down, developing our skills so that we are capable in our new role. They can help us to decide whether we are willing to do what it takes to succeed, or just stay where we are.

However, those thoughts can often stop us from making a change. Instead of seeing doubt as a helpful part of our brain that is assessing the risks, we see it as a warning to put the brakes on. We over analyse. We change our minds.

How to overcome career change doubts

First, make a decision.

Then commit to it.

Doubts about your choice are due to either: a lack of reliable system for making a career choice, or lack of information within that system.

When I was stuck in uncertainty about my career choices, I researched psychological findings on career choice and satisfaction. The top recommendation was to use a system for prioritising, sorting and reducing career options down to the optimal choices for you. You can get a full explanation, with activities for your career here > Career Choice Psychology Course.

Remember that doubts are normal.

Even when you know you have made a good choice, you are going outside of your familiar environment and skills. Your primal brain wants to keep you safe. Being cautious of change kept your ancestors alive. Change is less risky now. But it still helps to assess the risk. Then thank your brain for trying to keep you safe.

Take action anyway.

Even when the doubt is there. If you have assessed the risks, you know it is safe. You probably also know that you have some work to do to be capable and skilled enough for your new job. You have some connections to make.

Taking action will give you new information to reassure your brain and move you forward. I have felt at my worst when overthinking my career. I feel at my best when I take steps towards the career that I aspire to. Even when those steps are scary or imperfect (and they are never so bad afterwards!).

So when changing careers feels scary, remember that you are safe, and you can do what is needed to make it work. Get clear on your career choice, and move forward bravely towards it.

Does changing careers feel scary to you? How have you overcome those fears?