Starting Over at a New Job

If you’re thinking about a new job, you might also be thinking something like: “I’m going to be starting over, and it is going to be hard.”

I have had this discussion so many times recently with clients who are in the same position and have a similar line of thinking. They believe that if they go to a new place, they'll have to start over with building relationships and goodwill and doing that is going to be inherently difficult or a lot of work. 

If that sounds familiar, then like them, you’re probably feeling defeated in advance, which is keeping you from taking much (if any) action to even explore a new job. Even if you know that the job that you're in isn't the right job for you. 

I want to challenge both pieces of this: the “starting over” part and the “this is going to be hard” part. Because that line of thinking definitely isn’t serving you.

It just isn’t true that you’re starting over. The current version of you, the one that has that goodwill and those relationships, isn’t the same you that started out building them. And the version of you that is going to the new job has all of the skills, experience, knowledge, and relationship-building tools that you have gained during your current job. You're taking all of those with you. You are never starting over completely. It just isn’t possible. 

And what if it isn’t hard to build new goodwill and relationships? 

I'm not saying that there's not going to be some effort in learning new processes and people and in what their preferences and working style are. But what if it isn't hard? What if all you have to do is show up as you and do the work? Build those relationships the same way you already were every single day in your current job. 

And if you're trying to leave your current job, you probably have a good reason. So what if it is actually easier at the new job with new people?

There is going to be some effort, and some things are definitely going to be different. But you're not starting over, and it doesn't actually have to be hard. Trying thinking about the ways in which that is true or could be true. It’s likely to help motivate you to start exploring whatever those new options might be for you.

A ❤️ note to you: I love working with folks who are contemplating a job or career shift. There’s so much mind drama that comes with that process. Cleaning that all up will help you make the best decision for you and show up during the process in a way that feels good and aligned. Sign up for a free call with me at the Book an Appointment link in my bio or send me a DM that says CALL, and I’ll send the link directly to you. On the call, we will (1) talk about the changes you want to see in your life, (2) I’ll tell you how coaching can help you make them, and (3) you’ll decide whether you’re ready to move forward with changing your life.