Use this "hack" to stop procrastinating about career change
Putting the Pro in procrastination?
Is there something that you want to do, need to do, dream of doing and yet… it always gets pushed to the bottom of the list?
For some reason getting that load of washing on, quick IG scroll, making another cup of coffee, finding the missing shoe, and tidying that draw of cables was more urgent or important at that moment…
As I’ve shared before, procrastination, motivation, and even focus are emotional issues.
The reason you avoid something, feel unmotivated, or distract yourself is usually out of fear and uncertainty.
Have you been thinking (or dreaming about) changing careers? I’m curious, what are the main things that stop you taking action and moving forwards? Do any of these resonate?
Unclear on what direction to take
Fear of making a mistake
Loss of confidence / doubt my ability
Financial concerns
Something else?
What if I told you there’s a psychological trick you can use to “hack” your focus and motivation to overcome procrastination?
Well there is, it’s called self efficacy.
Psychologist Albert Bandura first used the term in 1977 to describe a person’s belief in their ability to overcome obstacles and find success in a given situation.
It is different to confidence, as it relates to a specific task or topic.
High self-efficacy is the business according to Bandura. It reduces stress (it even lowers vulnerability to depression) and ensures you achieve your goals.
Essentially it’s how much you believe you can do something.
Low self-efficacy essentially means the opposite. It causes you to procrastinate because of the feelings (doubts) associated with the task. It makes you more likely to give up when you hit a bump in the road, and more likely to blame yourself for the failure when you do.
It makes sense right? When you feel you won’t be successful in a job appliction, you’ll go out of your way to find something else to do.
On the other hand, higher self-efficacy almost guarantees your success - hey you’ve got to be “in it to win it” right?. Luckily, there are some clear steps you can take to develop it.
The 4 steps that will help you “hack” your self efficacy.
Small wins
These are the building blocks of self-efficacy. The more you complete small yet difficult tasks, the more confident you’ll become in that area.
So start break things into smaller tasks and tack these elements in a systematic way, to continually improve. The goal is to use the small wins to gain mastery. For more on how to do this email me for a copy of the ‘Zoro circles technique’.
Role models
We need proof it’s possible or PIPs as the wonderful Lucy Sheridan calls them. Seeing other people succeed by sustained effort raises your belief that you can do the same. This is especially true when the people you’re observing are ‘like’ you.
You can also observe how they handle things and learn skills and strategies that would otherwise take years to learn on your own.
The message - find your mentors, guides, and PIPs.
Feedback
Hearing that you’re doing a good job while doing it can help convince you that you have the skills to succeed.
However, false feedback –can ultimately deflate self-efficacy when you don’t see the results you were expecting.
Ask for feedback from people you respect who have achieved the things you want to achieve. Do this regularly.
How you’re thinking and feeling
Finally, self-efficacy relies on a positive emotional and psychological state. It’s much harder to believe in your abilities if you’re struggling with too much anxiety or hitting burnout.
As Dr. Bandura explains:
“Positive mood enhances perceived self-efficacy, despondent mood diminishes it.”
In fact, higher self-efficacy can change the way you react to stressful situations. As you gain confidence and motivation, stress and anxiety often get reframed as excitement and help push you through rather than hold you back.
So take a minute to tune in. Are you listening to your inner critic or your inner coach? If you find yourself getting overwhelmed or stressed, get curious, ask yourself what you must believe is true? Then challenge that thought and look for evidence.
For a great technique to do this try my 5 S method - drop me an email and I’ll share it with you directly.