Weathering The Winds of Change During Your Career

Career changes force you to adjust your sails

Often people say that when things are changing in your life that it is a good time to ‘adjust your sails’. That is, you should shift you sails so that the wind works to your advantage. I completely agree that there are times in your life that it is necessary to go-with-the-flow and work with the elements around you. However, I also believe that when there is too much change around you that it is important to stay grounded.

There are many important stages that we all go through that require a lot of change and adjustment. Some of these are forced on us and other times these changes are by choice. In either case, there is usually only a certain amount of change that a person can tolerate before they feel overwhelmed, lost, lonely or fearful.

When it comes to one’s career, there are many circumstances where a person may feel overwhelmed with new changes. Some common examples would be a career change, a job loss, a new job, a promotion, a demotion or job relocation. In each of these examples there will, undoubtedly, be a lot of new things happening. Some of these new experiences can be devastating whereas others are very exciting. If you are in a time of transition in your life, whether this is good or bad, it is important for you to pay attention to when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Having worked as a Career Counsellor for many years I have supported many people through career transitions and have learned a thing or two about how to move through these stages successfully. In this way, I would suggest that rather then ‘adjusting your sails to the wind’ that you should instead ‘remember your roots’. Instead of thinking of yourself as a vessel on the ocean consider that you are part of the earth-that you are a tree. When the winds of change are upon you and your tree limbs are blowing about ferociously, keep yourself grounded by grasping on to your roots. I mean this both metaphorically and literally.

Stay rooted during career changes

In a metaphorical sense your roots are what give you life and are the foundation on which you (as a tree) support yourself. In a literal sense, your roots are the habits and routines that you have developed over a lifetime that remind you of who you are, help you cope and make you feel good.

So, my advice for all you career transitioners out there is to make sure you take care of yourself when your world is turned upside down. No matter what new circumstance you are in remember the things in your life that make you feel whole. Whether that is talking to a family member on the phone, going for a walk in nature, enjoying a latte in a special café or watching a funny episode of your favorite show – take the time to remember who you are and what gives you joy.

These simple pleasures will ease your mind and body during any career transition and help you to de-stress. Remember that you, my friend, are a tree and wherever you go, no matter what your circumstance, you always have your roots to hold you steady during times of change.