By Jenni Burton, Founder ASPIRE Consulting & Coaching
Helping high-performing professional women take the next steps in their career, so that they can progress with confidence, while making an impact.
Career paths tend to be unique for each individual, however, the challenges that we face in achieving our career goals have very similar themes.
Knowing what our challenges are, and creating a plan to address them, are ways to own your path and thrive in your career.
Drops in confidence, unknowingly self-rejecting, dealing with fear, maintaining our communities, and being able to hone in on our strengths are some of the challenges I commonly see in career path development.
Here are 5 ways to overcome some of the most common career challenges.
1. Address Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome is when your confidence dips and you believe you are acting as an imposter or fraud in your role - ie, "I can't do this job well and eventually everyone will find out".
Confidence challenges are incredibly common in careers. Especially if you are facing a career transition or are in an environment that doesn't suit your strengths.
It can also enter your thoughts when you are striving for big things in your job - such as expanding responsibilities, receiving a promotion, or taking on a project you haven't done before.
If you feel imposter syndrome kicking in and do nothing, confidence usually continues to drop, or at a minimum, continues to hold you back from all you are capable of.
Instead:
-Accept it: Accept that imposter syndrome is common
-Recognized the signs: Be cognizant of feelings/thoughts around self-deprecation, feeling like you are a fraud, thoughts that you aren't good enough for this role/job/project
-Express the feeling: writing/journaling or speak with a trusted friend, colleague, mentor or coach to express how you are feeling
-Write out reframes: Replace thought of inadequacy with growth mindset terms: ie, "I can't do this" becomes: "I'm still learning and will continue to grow".
2. Recognize Self-Rejection
The sneaky thing about self-rejection is that it's usually hiding behind what we believe to be facts.
We think it's a fact that we are not qualified for the job, instead of applying anyway.
We think it's a fact we are not good at a job when really we are just learning it.
Instead:
-Ask Yourself: Have I put myself out there or am I holding myself back?
-Vocalize: Share with someone else when you think something is a fact; often, sharing with others helps us understand where we could be self-rejecting
-Adjust: Apply for that job. Raise your hand for that project. Try small steps to push against self-rejection
3. Choose Action over Fear
Fear is as human of a feeling as happiness. We can't completely get rid of fear, however, we can learn to manage it. We can learn to recognize when it comes and push past it.
If we don't, fear starts to rule our decisions and suddenly we are sitting with a career we don't actually want.
Instead:
-Identify it: Recognize that what might be holding you back is fear
-Ask yourself: Ask if your life or wellbeing is greatly threatened or if you are holding back due to something else. Identify that "something else"
-Take 1 or 2 small actions: Action helps us to move forward through the fear, but we can start small. Speak up in a meeting. Reach out to that contact on LinkedIn and ask for a virtual coffee. Take the small action to combat fear and open up doors.
4. Connect with your Community
Support is one of the strongest indicators of future success.
Communities don't have to be huge, but they should be meaningful to you.
They are typically made up of friends, family, colleagues you respect, mentors, and bosses who have made an impact on you.
Connecting with them can give you energy, can remind you of your own strengths, and bring fulfillment the way only a community of support can.
Action:
-Evaluate: Think through who is included in your community today
-Identify: Identify areas where you may be neglecting
-Connect & Build: Reach out today to someone in your community, just to connect
Community means checking in with people, just because.
Over time, these are the people where you give and receive support, advice, and feedback.
5. Hone Your Strengths... The Easy Ones ;)
Many of the people I work with think they know their top strength, but then struggle to put their strengths into words.
This is completely normal.
We are all guilt of undervaluing our top strengths, because they come so easily to us. We devalue what we perceive to be easy, even if it's not so easy for others.
Instead:
-Understand your strengths: Take the time to understand your strengths. Ask friends, colleagues for input, or take a strengths assessment to get clear on what they are
-Check for Fit: Evaluate how well your strengths align with your current role
-Action: Create a plan for putting your top strengths into action
Owning your career path means addressing some of the challenges that come with it, and it also means stepping into a career and path you love.
Addressing these challenges allows you take risks, seek work that gives you energy, and build a career and life that lifts you up.
Jenni Burton is the Founder of ASPIRE Consulting & Coaching, and helps professionals take the next steps in their careers, so they can progress with confidence, while making an impact.
Want to take the next step in your career? Schedule a coaching consultation with Jenni today.
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