In 2002, Sun Java Certification was a big thing. Not many had it. It was a difficult exam to crack. I passed the exam with close to 100% marks.
I received a congratulatory email from the company headquarters. It was a great moment that set the ball rolling for my professional upskilling journey.
Learning is closely related to our mindset.
There are two kinds of mindset – fixed and growth. The picture below provides a brief description of both.
Exercise: Use the above image to put a tick and a cross on the bullet points. It is possible that you may have some tick marks on both sides. In that case, you may have what I call as a “Mixed Mindset”.
I didn’t know about these at that point in time. Yet the way my journey has unfolded, I can very well say that I have a growth mindset.
Below are my transitions:
Engineer >> Tech Consulting >> MBA Finance >> Strategy and Operations Consulting >> Finance Transformation Consulting >> Business Unit Strategy >> Corporate Strategy >> Integration >> Acquisitions and Joint Ventures >> Career and Leadership Coach
These changes were not easy. Every role had a steep learning curve. I too had a fear of failure which I overcame through:
- Used notice period/downtime to prepare for the new role
- Networked with people in new company to learn about the culture
- Took help on subject matter in case I had limited understanding
I am sure that you will go through several transitions in your career. I have three pieces of advice for you which can help you drive success:
1] Learning always happens outside the comfort zone
Never feel afraid of taking a leap into the unknown if the new role aligns with your long-term goals. It will require tremendous effort but it will be rewarding. Prepare well before you jump.
2] Ask for help during transitions
When we pick up a new role, there are high expectations. However, people are ready to give you some initial slack as they know it takes time to become productive. Build a 90-day transition plan. Working with a coach who specializes in transition is a good investment.
3] Don’t do things just because others are doing it
Many take wrong turns in their careers as they suffer from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). “Just because my friend joined a startup, let me jump on the bandwagon.” is a wrong approach. Always keep your long term career goals in mind.
I wish and hope that you will be mindful when transitioning to a new role. Don’t allow the fear of failure to stop you from reaching your full potential.
What have been your transitions?
About the Author
Rahul Gupta is the founder of Transform Ahead®️, a world-class Coaching and Leadership Development institution. He is an ICF Professional Certified Coach and an Everything DiSC® certified trainer. On LinkedIn, he has 80K+ followers. Rahul is a published thought leader and his articles have been featured in Entrepreneur, BusinessWorld and CFO Connect.
About Transform Ahead®️
As a Career and Leadership Coaching Institution, we support people to reach their full potential. If you wish to know more about our offerings, please visit transformahead.com and book your free Initial Connect Call.
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