Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony poster at LYJ Career Workshop in December

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony poster at LYJ Career Workshop in December

At LYJ’s latest Career Workshop for Women Lawyers earlier this month, we asked participants to brainstorm their list of hopes and fears for making a change.

What is the value of asking these questions as we head into a New Year?

Many of us carry around “fear” amorphously and free-floating yet never examine more closely to see what exactly is there. There’s value in shining a light on your fears so they can be shaken loose, and you can begin to test any assumptions that perhaps are not true.

On the flip side, what’s the pay off if you do move through your fears and come out the other side? What are you yearning for that you might have a shot at it if you let yourself imagine what could be possible? Getting clear about your hopes allows you to start moving in the direction of what is most important to you.

Below is a sample of what women throughout our workshops over the past three years have offered as their hopes and fears about making a change, whether within the law or embarking on something in a new career area:

FEARS

  • There will not be enough money
  • If make a change, will still be unhappy
  • Will be forced to step back or take a more junior position
  • Fear of making a bad or poorly informed decision
  • Skills won’t be transferable
  • It’s not a fixable situation
  • Feels like starting over
  • The unknown – not a clear path

HOPES

  • Have many transferable skills and am incredibly marketable
  • Will know how it feels to Love Your Job and Love Your Life
  • Will be able to make an impact
  • Work that matters
  • Can have work-life balance
  • Money will be there, compensation will be based on hard work
  • Excited to get out of bed and go to work
  • Will be proud of job and can tell people
  • Authenticity

While these lists were made by women with legal backgrounds, the questions may be asked by anyone contemplating a career change or shift as we head into a New Year. What are your hopes for making a change in 2013? What are your fears? What can you learn about yourself by asking these questions?