Changing Jobs: 5 Tips for Conquering Fear

The beauty of life is that it's always changing. Change, however, can also create some of the most stressful circumstances many of us will ever experience. Graduation, marriage, divorce, relocation, major illness — even changing jobs can be a nerve-wracking occurrence, even when the change is positive.

As the economy continues to be sluggish, some people will resist career changes even when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents itself. If you're ready to make a move but are fearful of what could happen when you leave your current job, here are five tips to help you beat those fears:

1. Determine what you will gain by making a change. If the outlook in your current field has been diminished by economic issues, a new occupation could put you in a much better position to weather the worsening economy. Or maybe a new career is exactly what you need to finally check off a few of your business goals — more money, increased flexibility, a better shot at a higher position.
2. Imagine the worst. Sometimes, it's easy to stay put in a career or job that's going nowhere because you feel as if you already know the worst that can happen. So consider what's really the worst that can happen to you if you make a move? Make a list, and then take a close look at it to see whether the unknown is really so horrible. Chances are that the good points will outweigh the bad.
3. Think about how fulfilling your current position is. If you're bored to tears at the thought of going to work, challenge is missing from your job. A career move might be just what you need to find the spark again in your chosen profession — and to find the challenge that inspires you.
4. Do your research. If you're considering a specific company or a new field, start investigating the realities involved. Is the new company one in which people tend to stay put? Is the new field one that's booming or poised to boom? Having all the facts can often help alleviate fears.
5. Create your plan. Outline the steps you need to take to land that new job or start a new career. If you'll need education, determine how long it will take to obtain it. Will you need time off, or need to move to a new area? When you put down a plan in writing, it often seems far more doable than it does when it's just floating in your head.