So you want to make a career change during a pandemic (or any time)…
Part 1 — The Foundation
In the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, I made a tremendous career shift from higher education to one of the Big Four technology companies. The journey was arduous at times but very doable, and instead of keeping the actions I took to myself, I’ve decided to share the methods I used. I believe they are replicable and will be helpful to others seeking to make what may initially seem like a large career shift.
These actions will be shared in a series of posts, with this being the first. The coming series will discuss the specific actions I took in over a few months to transition from more than a decade in higher education to a role at one of the Big Four technology companies. But prior to jumping into those steps, I must share some of the things that I have been doing over the years (the last 3 to 4 years specifically) that created a solid foundation for me mentally and were useful techniques overall that prepared me for being able to take on this challenge. As I believe readers are leaders, I share the books that were the most helpful to me in setting the foundation to make this extraordinary transition (and in full disclosure the links to the books mentioned are affiliate links).
Preparing the Mind
There are numerous references to how important it is to have a positive attitude and how that attitude day-in and day-out will ultimately be the difference in whether you do or do not achieve your goals. I believed that when I began this journey, and believe it even more now. The book The Slight Edge speaks specifically about doing something everyday that gets you a bit closer to your goal, and how that effort/focus is like compound interest and grows upon itself each day.
This feels very true for me as I have done and continue to do three things everyday that compound my having and maintaining a positive attitude.
- Positive Self-Talk
The first practice: positive self-talk. Each morning, since 2018, I read at least one quote out of Shad Helmstetter’s 365 Days of Positive Self-Talk. I say the quote out loud so I can hear it and feel it. It forces me to hear that positivity throughout my day and over the three years I’ve been doing it, it has changed the way I talk to myself in all instances. Whether it be a hard workout, an interview, a rough day, this daily activity has changed the way I view many things — and more importantly how I view myself and what I can do. I’m still not the most positive person in the world and admire those who are, but I have a much better attitude, which has helped propel me forward.
2. Writing in my Five Minute Journal
The second practice: writing in my five-minute journal. I have purchased the actual Five-Minute Journal (to be honest, I’m on my 8th or 9th one) and write it in (almost) everyday. Specifically, it asks you for responses to specific prompts in the morning and in the evening. The morning prompts are: 3 things you are grateful for; 3 things that would make today a great day; and 2 daily affirmations (I am:). The evening prompts are: 3 amazing things that happened today and 2 things that could have made today better. This practice has helped me call out things that I’m grateful for that I realize now I did not fully acknowledge and appreciate as much as I should have initially, and provides the venue to affirm myself each and every day. My most common daily affirmation is “I choose to be great today and everyday.” And that affirmation sits with me and motivates me to do what I have to do to fulfill that — no matter what else is going on.
3. Preparing to Overcome Rejection
The third practice is a reference to a book by a Fuqua alumnus. I was introduced to this book during a Fuqua reunion in Durham in early 2015 and the book is called Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang. The premise of the book is that rejection is something that does happen and will continue to happen, and the key to working through it is how you respond. The author intentionally seeks out rejection for 100 days straight to build up resilience and to learn techniques to better get to yes. I have read this book at least three times and did again this past spring to continue to build up my confidence and solidify that most rejections are not personal and that I control what I do after that rejection. I can wallow in it and give up or I can breathe it in, accept it, get feedback (if possible), and move forward with the same or more enthusiasm.
These practices and references have been a significant part of the grounding that brought up the positive attitude I needed to take the steps I talk about. By no means do you have to do any of these, but I must admit — I don’t think they will do anything but help.
The next post, “Determining the Next Step” in your career, where I share how I figured out what next career step (industry/function and other intangibles was right for me.
If you like this post, please do follow me here on Medium. The next post and other good stuff coming soon.
Thanks for reading,
Willie