self-imposed obstacles

What I have in mind: Self-imposed obstacles

In the past week, three people have confided in me that they are deeply unhappy with their current job or company.

These revelations occur frequently, always quietly, often confessional, and usually filled with frustration. It’s a quick two-step where the secret discontent is shared and then the secret dream is quickly whispered: reinvent yourself in a new career, find a better-fit company, or hang your own shingle.

But it gets interesting when I ask them what specifically they would like to do. Instead of sharing their dream in greater detail, they are quick to say that they need to “stay put because of the economy.” Instead of focusing on what they really want, they steer the conversation toward Self-imposed obstacle #1: the economy. Regardless of the state of the economy, there is a jump (and sometimes a big one) when contemplating a career change or embarking on the entrepreneurial path. It takes courage, fortitude and sustained effort to make this happen.

The economic hurdle has to do with the perceived financial risk of changing employers, changing careers, or starting a business. Sometimes an open review of finances and overhead can bring some possibilities to light. For example, one of my clients downsized to reduce her non-negotiable overhead, which opened up possibilities for making a significant career change sooner rather than later.

How much money do you need to support your non-negotiable overheads? Have you sat down with a calculator and analyzed your budget? Have you considered on your own or discussed with your partner if there is any flexibility in spending and overhead?

Almost all of them tell me that they need exactly what they are currently doing and that their circumstances cannot be changed. Yet few have put pen to paper or even considered downsizing or making changes to the way they live.

Self-Imposed Obstacle #2: Air Resistance and Inflexibility.

When someone tells me they can’t make a change because of the economy, I ask them what they’re doing in the meantime to lay the groundwork.

  • Are you putting together a business plan?
  • Take a class to learn or develop a skill?
  • Network with established entrepreneurs or those in the industry you’d like to be in?
  • Are you researching the market for your proposed product or service?
  • Reworking your resume?

Most of the time, the answer to all of these questions, and many more like them, is “no.” They are not laying the groundwork. They are not doing what they can do right now to prepare for that day when “the economy”, or any other hurdle (aka excuse) goes away. That is Self-imposed obstacle #3: Lack of initiative based on magical thinking.

Beware of magical thinking that suggests the day will come when the life you dream of just materializes, no heavy lifting required. Simply talking about your dreams without doing anything to make them come true is really bad for you; feed your own doubts, putting what you want further out of reach. It takes a lot of sleep, strategy, planning, and action to create that “magic” often called luck.

then comes Self-imposed obstacle #4: Health insurance, which is often expressed as “I don’t like my job, but I have to stay for health insurance.” You may be angry about being self-imposed, but that’s until you’ve done some extensive research and know for sure that you’re beyond the realm of possibility for affordable coverage. It’s not enough to say, “I know I can’t get or pay for health insurance on my own” without doing your research.

I don’t know anyone who thinks researching health insurance is fun, so I understand how easy it is for this to be seen as a roadblock. Comparing policies can be confusing and time consuming, and choosing the wrong plan seems risky. Through my own experience, I can attest that if you do the research, it is possible to get decent, conventional, and affordable self-funded health insurance.

Here’s the bottom line: I believe that everyone has the opportunity to participate in work that is rewarding. There is no need to stay in a job you hate or a company that doesn’t bring out the best in you. There is no need to stick with a career that no longer fits well or think that starting a business is something that only other people can do.

If you’re willing to do whatever it takes and let go of self-imposed obstacles, you can create your own opportunities.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have a job or career that makes you feel “less than” or if you aspire to start your own business, what obstacles stand in your way? Are any of them self-imposed? What has been your experience with this topic? Email me and share your story!

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