Fear is Holding You Back
When you look in the mirror are you happy with the person looking back at you? If you’re like most people you may be content with that person, but acknowledge that you haven’t achieved your full potential. For most, there is always room for improvement. What is preventing you from taking steps to improve or making the change you’ve been contemplating? Fear! Yes, your fear of an uncertain future is what is holding you back.
You are definitely not alone. In a Gallup poll published in January 2022, 57% of U.S. and Canadian workers reported feeling stressed on a daily basis. This is 14% above the global average. Some may point to the pandemic as the reason for such a high percentage, but that’s not to the whole story when you look consider if workers consider what they are doing fulfilling.
GoodHire, a company specializing in background check technology provided some statistics on job fulfillment amongst the different generations. In its 2021 Meaning of Work Survey, 4 thousand workers covering 4 generations were polled. The breakdown for those who found great meaning and purpose in their jobs goes like this; Millennials 60%, Baby Boomer 44%, Generation X 51%, and Generation Z 41%. The results were somewhat astonishing that so many Millennials found meaning and purpose in their jobs considering many stories that point to millennials frequently job hopping.
Based on the two polls, Gallup and Goodhire, it is obvious that many workers are unhappy with their current jobs. While many people decide to seek employment with other organizations, they tend to stay in the same field.
Finding fulfillment at work is dependent on many different factors including; types of boss/supervisor, compensation, flexibility, work-life balance, location, and opportunities just to name a few. When you consider all these factors and the multitude of others that make people dread going to work, it’s not a surprise that almost 60% of American workers feel stress on a daily basis and 40% or more don’t feel their jobs have great meaning or purpose.
If that is the case why stay with the organization or in that field? On one hand, it can be difficult to break into a new field, many hiring managers are looking for a certain amount of experience. While that could pose a significant hurdle for a candidate to overcome, more often than not the individual would self-disqualify.
On a regular basis, I would be speaking to someone and the topic of a recent job posting would come up. In many instances when asked if they applied their response is no, I’m not qualified. As the discussion continues, the real reason for them not applying is usually revealed. Too many workers are afraid of the interview process and therefore content sitting in the same position year and year while their peers are moving on and up.
Fear is a strong motivator against risk-taking. When it comes to life or death situations you may want to succumb to fear, but when it comes to getting out of a dead-end job or an unfulfilling position it’s time to confront your fears. Worse case, you bomb the interview, but you’re now aware of the types of questions that may be asked.
In overcoming interview fear one can participate in mock interviews with a mentor, supervisor, or trusted friend. Additionally, there are many videos online which gives advice on aspects of the interview from how to dress to the common interview questions.
While it may be easy for me to say, just get over your fears. I know the reality there needs to be a real desire on your part for a change before you will take action. The embers are already smoldering deep inside, you just need to tend to it so it doesn’t die out. You need to see yourself not in the current position, but the one you want. This will give you the drive necessary to make the commitment to pursue your dream.
Remember; Desire + Dedication + Determination = New Beginnings
Don’t just sit on the sidelines and let life pass you by, it’s time for you to take control and decide your own destiny.