Making changes to your career: The 7 reasons why it's so hard

Figuring out what you actually want to do with your career is really hard. And no — it’s not because you’re lazy, confused, or somehow “behind.” It’s because career change doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It sits at the messy intersection of identity, risk, emotion, and reinvention. It touches everything at once: your sense of security, your purpose, your social standing, your value, your future.

So if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed trying to figure it all out, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not broken.

Common career change blockers

If you're reading this, chances are you want to do something different. You want to change something about your career, but you might be struggling to know what exactly.  In coaching, I've seen the same patterns show up again and again. Below are seven common blockers that make it harder than it needs to be — and coaching responses to help you move through them.

1. “What if I don’t know what I want?" or "I only know what I don't want to do".

This is the most common fear — and the biggest reason people don’t take action. And I get it; we're taught to follow the steps, to have a clear path full of guidance.

The truth is, you don’t need a perfect answer to begin. You just need a direction. So often I see people trying to make all the decisions and figure out. Plus, it's always helpful to work with what you've got, so if you don't know what you want to do, have a go at turning it into the opposite. What would be the opposite of some of the things you don't want? Do you want to do them more? Equally, what are the things that are currently working for you? 

Career change doesn’t have to mean burning everything down. Sometimes, it’s about small shifts — new angles, new combinations, new uses of the skills you already have.

Coaching reframe: Direction is built through experimentation, not thought alone.

2. Fear of career suicide - “What if I regret the change?”

This is probably the second most common one I hear. This comes from the myth that careers are linear. They’re not. Your career is a living system — it evolves with you.

Trying something new, even briefly, gives you feedback. And that feedback is what leads to clarity and confidence. You can learn and grow. Things will change. 

3. Imposter syndrome - “What if I feel like a fraud?”

Imposter syndrome shows up when you’re growing. It doesn’t mean you’re a fraud — it means you’re stretching. There is a lot I could write about this (and you're welcome to see other blog posts about it). The key thing to remember is that confidence doesn’t come before action. It’s something you build through experience, not something you wait to feel before you start.

4. The skills gap - “What if I don’t have the skills?”

Most people underestimate what they already know. You likely have more transferable skills than you realise — and the ones you don’t have yet can be learned.

There are more tools than ever for building skills in flexible, affordable ways. At the same time, if you want to pivot completely, then you need to think about what would be beneficial. The job market (particularly if you are looking to be employed rather than start your own thing) is very competitive. To change, you need a network, a narrative, but also the relevant skills (or enough of them at least). 

5. Self-doubt - “What if I’m not able to do it?”

Everyone — truly everyone — feels this at some point. The difference is that confident people have support. They’re surrounded by others who believe in change, who’ve done it or are doing it too. Self-doubt is much quieter in a community and when you can work it through with someone. 

6. Social pressure

“What if my friends or family think this is a mistake?”

This fear is valid but often exaggerated in our minds. You don’t need everyone to understand. You need a few people who do. And when you’re clear on your why, it becomes easier to bring others along. At the same time, they might judge you, and it can feel really hard. The guilt, feeling like you're letting people down it's all really tough. 

7. Financial fear - “What if I run out of money?”

This fear is real. And solvable. A career change doesn’t have to mean leaping without a net. You can design a transition that includes financial planning, creative income streams, and realistic timeframes.

So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why haven’t I figured it out yet?” or “Why does this feel so hard?”, now you know: It’s not just you. You’ve been carrying invisible blockers no one taught you how to name, let alone how to move through.

And naming them is the first step toward real, lasting change. This can all feel really overwhelming, fortunately, coaching can help you get very clear in your next steps. Get in touch with a coach if you'd like to find out more.