Successfully pivoting in your career requires taking small and large risks.
Pivoting in a career is more than going from one company to another or starting a business. At the root of pivoting is a person’s mindset; do they see the glass as half empty or half full? There’s a strategy or formula for how individuals navigate their professional roadmaps. It’s about self-confidence and developing the right connections to validate a person’s ability. And with career pivots come some moments of anxiety, fear and a necessity to take a risk.
How often has someone told you, “What are you waiting for? Just go for it.” From the outside, it seems like a small feat. But, from a reality checkpoint, it’s more complicated, with intricate mindset hacks to motivate you to go for it.
Everyone has a different threshold for risk-taking; however, everyone has the ability to expand beyond their comfort zones. It all comes down to mentality. We take risks every day without even consciously thinking about it. Our past experiences play a significant role in how we move forward; many times, it is a negative habit that we’ve created that needs to be adjusted.
It’s normal to feel anxiety when trying something new or being thrown into a situation you aren’t anticipating. The important thing is not to let that fear paralyze you or hold you back from achieving your goals. Just as everyone defines success differently, people interpret fear and failure in their own terms. How you define each of those words will determine your course of action.
With great risk comes either great rewards or great lessons; the important thing is to try and not ... [+]
How to build risk tolerance:
Ditch regret
Do you want the regret of not taking action, or are you willing to take action and let it lead you? Regret is an inherent part of taking risks. However, take the regrets you already have and let them motivate you to do something extraordinary; turn the regret into a foundation of lessons learned that help you formulate a new strategy.
Change the habit
Creating a new habit takes anywhere from 21 to 30 days. Changing one thing a week and sticking to it for a month may seem insignificant, but over time it will accumulate and greatly impact your success. Additionally, achieving small manageable tasks develop your self-confidence over time; they prepare you for when you face a challenge. Think of it as you’re adding to your arsenal of resilience strategies.
Words matter
Failure is also another component of taking risks. The inner dialogue you have with yourself is critical. You can overthink and psych yourself out of going after what you want, or the words assist you in taking the first step.
Take note of what you say. For example, if you’re contemplating applying for a position with a pay grade above your current situation but think, “I don’t have the necessary skills to qualify. I will never be hired.” Remember, you can change your habit. Adjust your inner dialogue to “I have a skill set that brings value to the position I’m applying for and can handle what comes my way.” The latter use of words, again, builds your self-confidence enough to take the risk and apply for the job.
When it comes to pivoting, fear is appropriate; just don’t get stuck in the state of not trying. Take a deep breath. Trust the skills you’ve developed, and take the risk.
