Are You Making the Mistake of a Reactive Shift

When everything in your career seems to be dragging you down, you may be tempted to start fresh and do something completely different. Natasha Stanley of Careershifters refers to this type of career change as a reactive shift, a job change dictated by negative experiences in the past. Although heading the opposite way of a bad career scenario seems natural, a reactive shift can be a big mistake.

The Problems With Starting Fresh

When you're burned out, starting something completely new feels exciting. However, stepping away from what you know means learning new career skills, struggling through painful learning curves, and realizing that every career has its downsides. For instance, a manager who is constantly bugged by employees at work may make a reactive shift to become a stay-at-home writer, only to find that working from home can get lonely. In this way, a reactive shift can leave you even more stressed, tired and dissatisfied.

Don't Devalue Your Current Skill Set

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to see your entire career as a negative, making you want to get as far from it as possible. This way of thinking leads many professionals to abandon their current skill sets in favor of something completely new. Sometime after the reactive shift, however, they may miss using the skills and talents utilized in their old job. Keep in mind that you can start fresh without having to learn a new trade.

Looking at Career Shifts a Better Way

Reactive shifts can lead to poor decisions, but that doesn't mean you have to remain stuck in a job you hate. Instead, make an active shift, a career change that's informed by the past while considering the future. While emotions drive a reactive shift, an active shift involves a more rational approach.

The first step toward an active shift is being aware that negative feelings can taint the whole picture of your current job, even the positive aspects. Take a hard look at your current career, and pinpoint the negative factors that are dragging your down. Next, think about positive factors that you would like to enjoy in a new career. For example, you may seek more contact with people, the chance to work for a company with a meaningful purpose, or more creative freedom. Finally, before abandoning ship, try out a few ideas to see what fits your needs and desires.

If you're struggling with a frustrating job, making a reactive shift may seem like a good idea at the time, but it can lead to even more disappointment in your professional life. Rather than taking the "anything-but-this" approach, trade that reactive shift for an active shift, and start a new career based on an informed decision. That way, you can enjoy a satisfying change of pace for years to come.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net