How to Change

Navigating a big life upheaval such as a career change is never going to be easy. There are times where the uncertainty feels too uncomfortable or the magnitude of the task too big to bear.

In those moments, the temptation can be to tell yourself your current work situation isn't too bad, that maybe you could just stay where you are, and take the path of least resistance.

But if we really want to make a shift, we have to learn to navigate change effectively, accepting that it's going to be difficult and drawing on strategies to ensure we can do what it takes.

Katy Milkman is a Wharton professor and author of a book released this year called "How to Change - the Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be". In her recent interview on the LinkedIn podcast 'Hello Monday' with Jessi Hempel she recommends some research-led approaches to navigating change:

Make it fun! - Making big life changes is difficult because it often requires short term pain for long term gain, and this is what creates the tendency to want to get there as quick as possible, which usually doesn't lead to the best outcome. The way she suggests dealing with this is to try to trick yourself into providing that instant gratification along the way by combining it with things you already enjoy. Her term is "temptation bundling" and she gives the example of watching your favourite TV programme while exercising. Rather than having all your focus on the end-goal, how can you make your career change journey more fun?

Don’t try to do it all at once - Having multiple big goals is demotivating, so it’s probably best not to try to change career at the same time as, say moving house or planning a wedding.

Ride off the ‘fresh slate’ effect of particular dates - Certain times such as New Year, the start of a month or week or a birthday can give our brains the illusion of a new beginning, which can be really powerful for motivating us for change. Use this to your advantage by re-focusing yourself on your career change around these times.

Offer advice to others when you are struggling - Research shows that when we advise others on a challenge we too are facing, this can help us get unstuck too - building our confidence, and allowing us to consider our challenges with a different perspective - offering solutions to others that we can then take on ourselves. Could you form an ‘advice club’ with fellow career changers to leverage this effect?

I love these ideas and the fact that they are based in solid research about how we operate. By understanding why change can be difficult and our natural tendencies and pre-existing habits, we can consciously put strategies in place to put us on the front foot.

What are the ways you've found to help navigate big life/work changes?