3 strategies for overcoming fear in your career

Making changes in your career, pushing yourself and pursuing your passions all takes courage. Here are 3 tips for overcoming your fear of the unknown and going for it.

1. Understand your fear

It is important to address your fears and where they stem from. All too often being fearful of something in a work context originates from self doubt and therefore avoidance. Through addressing this, you can deduct that the only thing preventing you from succeeding is self-confidence. E.g. Not going for a job promotion because you are underestimating yourself or think someone else deserves it more than you do. Knowing what it is that is making you fearful, reduces its impact.  

2. Avoid psyching yourself out

Be aware of negative thoughts, and face them. It is an innate human quality to fear the unknown and self-criticise. But if you don’t back yourself how can you expect anyone else to? Intrusion of negative thoughts can psych you out before you’ve even given yourself a chance. Whether you are embarking on a career change, asking for a pay rise or even starting your own business - think of all the reasons why you CAN do it, rather than can’t. You’ll find all too often they outweigh the negatives.  

3. Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Reframe what fear represents. It’s a good thing, and usually means you are being ambitious and going for it. Ride out the wave of fear and it will subside. The most common fear at work is the fear of failure - “What if the answer is no?”, “What if I’m not good enough?”, “What if I make a mistake?”. But not trying for this reason is simply not good enough, every mistake you make you learn from and more importantly “What if you succeed?”

Speak to the experts. Our friendly advisors are on hand for an open chat about your career, progression and ambitions. Call 01534 875444 or email consultants@1strecruit.co.uk.