Cold Feet About a New Career?

You may have some reservations or fears about pursuing your dream job. What if you fail? What if you hate it? What if you can’t make enough money to support yourself? These are all reasonable concerns when it comes to changing jobs, but it's possible to proceed without getting too bogged down in insecurities.

Preparation is a good strategy to cope with fear of failure. If you’re worried about quitting your present job to try something different, prepare yourself for it. Experts recommend that you save up enough money to live salary-free for at least six months, but if possible, save up a year’s salary. Create a “plan B” in case your dream job doesn’t work out, even if this means taking a temp. job or looking for job opportunities in a family business, for instance.

Accept that there is an element of fear in everything you do, but it’s the way you control it that determines your success. Remember that you are taking positive steps to make your favorite activity your dream job and there may be some bumps along the way.