Resisting a Change? 10 things to consider when making a professional shift.
"I've been feeling unhappy and a bit stagnant at my current clinic for a while. It was my dream role but things have changed a lot since I started here and I'm just feeling stuck. I LOVE my clinic owner and don't want to disappoint them, would feel so bad leaving and honestly the thought of switching clinics terrifies me too. I've put so much work into building my caseload here and I'm quite successful so it seems silly to move. But, I find myself constantly daydreaming about doing something different almost daily- any advice?"
Maybe you can see a small part of yourself in this question?
My answer is based in reflections on a very big, scary, aligned, expansive decision I made almost 3 years ago. I closed my brick and mortar PT practice at the height of its 'success' and here's what doing that taught me about change:
The sunk cost fallacy is just that, a fallacy. I learned so many lessons building that business and caseload, cultivating my community and being a part of a team- those are skills we'll always have. Nothing is wasted. The lessons you have from this experience can fuel the next.
People don't need to understand the choices you make in your life. YOU are the one who has to live your life, they don't. YOU CHOOSE. People may not get it and that's ok.
Small change is change. I started my coaching practice 5 years before I closed down my clinic. I just let myself experience a different opportunity in a safe way to see how it felt. Maybe it's not so much about "burning the ships" but rather making small changes to your work and life to have things feel better. Subtle changes can have a big impact too.
Let's trust that adults (like your clinic owner) can handle disappointment and not live out life to protect others from it.Having great staff come and go is all part of business ownership and though it might be hard, it's what we sign up for.
Sometimes a dream or vision is merely a vehicle for another dream. I grew, changed and learned so much opening my clinic and it helped me grow a greater vision. You never need to stop dreaming or holding onto dreams that no longer feel like you.
Success is how you define it. My clinic had all the check marks of 'success'- we were booked and busy, profitable, had great word of mouth reputation and epic clients and clinicians. Which was great AND just because it was successful in a business sense didn't mean it felt successful for me. What's your definition of success?
You can make choices that feel impossibly hard and have them feel so right at the same time. It's both. I balled my eyes out my last day in the space, I grieved and I still knew it felt right, expansive and good for me.
You can let go of titles, roles, responsibilities and relationships that no longer serve. You will survive it, I promise. And there can be so much more waiting for you on the other side.
You can let your heart lead even when the mind, logic and outside influence seems louder. Our bodies typically know exactly what we want and what's right. Don't discount it, check in with what it has to say.
You can start over again- and again and again. We only get to do this thing called life once. Doing what feels good and right for you doesn't mean bypassing sacrifice, challenges and hardships but it does mean integrity, alignment and self-trust. And I'll choose that every. single. time.
We can put so much energy and effort into trying to stay the same, when all we need to do is change🦋
I hope that those reflections serve you in some way and, to whoever submitted that question, thank you for sharing your story to help others as well.
My sense is you know what's right AND it feels hard- that's ok. It can be both.