How to stop procrastinating over career changing decisions

When did you last go to a coffee shop to buy a hot drink? It probably wasn’t that long ago. When you went to this coffee shop, did you simply sit down and wait for a drink to appear, leaving the type of drink and whether it did eventually appear to chance? No, of course, you didn’t.  

Who would be silly enough to sit in a café waiting to see if the drink they want appears without actually ordering it? You would be waiting a long time and even if a drink did magically appear, it may not be one you like. Instead, you take control by looking at the menu and deciding what you would like to drink. You then act on that decision by ordering it. Your drink of choice is made, and you enjoy drinking it, leaving you feeling refreshed and happy.

It all seems obvious, doesn’t it? Why would you risk not getting something you want by leaving it to chance? Well, this is what many of us do when it comes to our careers. We leave an important part of our lives to chance. A part that, for some, can take up nearly 70% of our waking energy but many of us do it. Many of us suffer from procrastination when it comes to our careers and leave our career success and happiness to chance.

Are you a procrastinator?

Do you procrastinate over making decisions about your career, waiting to see if a happy and fulfilling career appears by chance?

If you do, you are not alone. We have all been guilty of procrastinating at some point during our careers, finding it creeping into our decision-making process and casting doubt on our ideas. Choosing and ordering a hot drink is easy. There is very little risk involved. If an error is made and you get the wrong drink, it’s not the end of the world. However, when it comes to our careers, we feel more responsibility and accountability for the decision, so we put it off. We procrastinate and think of lots of reasons to justify our decision. We lose control of our own lives and hand responsibility for our career happiness over to someone else.

Think about it... What was the last big thing you wanted to achieve in your career? Increased confidence at work? A promotion? A better work-life balance? A career change?

What happened next? Did you achieve it, or did you hand over control, waiting for someone else to provide you with a career change or promotion opportunity? If you were given an opportunity, was it the one you wanted?

If you have been waiting a long time for something to change in your career and make you feel more fulfilled and happier but have not done anything about it, you have been procrastinating. The problem now is that you probably feel quite comfortable waiting, despite knowing you are leaving your career success to chance. Nothing can go wrong when you are just waiting, can it? You are doing okay waiting, aren’t you?

Perhaps you are doing okay, but what will the consequences be for you if you continue to wait and wait and wait?

"If you keep on doing what you’re doing, you will keep getting the same result."

Perhaps it is time now to take control, consider your choices, decide what you want to do and act on this decision. Just like ordering your favourite hot drink, take CONTROL now!

• Choices - What are your options? Start exploring different ideas to see what works.
• Own - Own your decisions. Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you (it may never happen, or it may not be right for you).
• New - Try new ideas. What’s the worst that can happen and you never know you may love it!
• Take action - Identify an action plan and take action.
• Rest - Remember to rest to give your body and mind a chance to rejuvenate after all this thinking and doing.
• Others - Taking control doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Seek help from others when you need clarification or guidance.
• Laugh - Enjoy yourself. As Mark Twain said, "The human race has one important weapon, and that is laughter".

You are in control of your mind and, therefore your results. Take control and act now to find a fulfilling and happy career.

Your career is too important to leave to chance.