Don't Use Preparation As An Excuse to Procrastinate Change

Whether it's switching jobs, moving to a new city, or ending a relationship, change can be scary. Sometimes we tell ourselves we're planning for change when we're actually just putting it off.

Over at Live In the Grey, career expert Ariane Hunter says we often fight change by playing the waiting game:

Most of us avoid making change by entering the waiting trap. Waiting is passive. It keeps us stagnant, stale, and locked into a holding pattern that looks a lot like our comfort zones. Our tendency to wait things out is oftentimes fueled by fear.

Yes, it's good to be prepared for a big change. If you're leaving a job, for example, you want to take the time to research, find other work, and maybe save up for the switch. But there's a difference between preparation and procrastination. While preparation has built-in, actionable steps, procrastination is hesitant and uncertain and indecisive.

It sounds like an obvious distinction. But Hunter points out that it can be pretty sneaky. You might tell yourself you're waiting for the right moment or waiting for inspiration. You might "pretend to take action but you're not really all-in." To beat this, she suggests recognizing that fear, examining it and taking an actionable first step.

Going back to the job switch example, this might mean setting a date for your final day. If you want to move to a new city, you might book a flight to go check out apartments. It can be a small first step, but it should break you out of your comfort zone.

Check out more on this topic at the link below.

Escaping the Career Waiting Trap | Live In the Grey

Photo by Denise Krebs.

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