{"id":4809,"date":"2015-08-08T06:52:22","date_gmt":"2015-08-08T10:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=4809"},"modified":"2015-08-08T06:52:54","modified_gmt":"2015-08-08T10:52:54","slug":"lifereimagined-when-friends-and-family-dont-want-you-to-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=4809","title":{"rendered":"LifeReImagined: When Friends and Family Don\u2019t Want You To Change"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"images\"<\/a>You\u2019re excited about your new career, but your colleagues, family and friends aren\u2019t so pumped. In fact, they\u2019re shocked. Are you sure you\u2019re doing the right thing? Are you prepared for the risk? What about\u2014gasp!\u2014security? Kerry Hannon, author of Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness<\/a>, explains how to fend off the questions and stay true to your dreams.<\/p>\n

For more great career advice from Kerry Hannon, try Life Reimagined\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong>Refresh Your Outlook<\/strong><\/a> program.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Step 1: Empathize<\/strong>. Understand where the questions are coming from. \u201cPeople make comments like that either because they\u2019re a little envious and afraid to take a risk, or because they\u2019re genuinely concerned,\u201d Hannon<\/strong> says.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Manage your message<\/strong>. Hannon<\/strong> suggests playing your switch-up close to the vest until you\u2019re ready to make a move. There\u2019s no need to invite chatter prematurely. \u201cDon\u2019t start talking about your plans two years ahead of time. You don\u2019t know it will play out,\u201d she says. Instead, strategically announce your news in a group email and on social media as you\u2019re about to make the leap.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Realize that not everyone will share your excitement.<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s important to have family or close friends at your back, but not everyone is going to own your dream,\u201d Hannon<\/strong> says. That\u2019s OK.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Choose your words<\/strong>. If questioned by someone who\u2019s genuinely alarmed\u2014maybe they\u2019re afraid of the financial repercussions or that you\u2019ll fail\u2014 reframe the move in a way they can understand. \u201cExplain that it\u2019s not so scary. You\u2019re not reinventing yourself completely, you\u2019re \u2018redeploying,\u2019\u201d Hannon<\/strong> says.<\/p>\n

Step 5: Rush to reassure.<\/strong> Particularly with family members who might fret about your finances, such as grown children, be upfront about your numbers. \u201cConvince them it\u2019s not that big a risk for you. Map it out. Show how you\u2019ve done your homework, by saving appropriately, downsizing, or moonlighting at the new job on weekends so you know what you\u2019re getting into.\u201d<\/p>\n

Step 6: Bring them on board<\/strong>. If someone raises a red flag, disarm them by asking for advice about your next step. \u201cThis will make them feel like they own a little bit of your dream. People love giving advice. Empower them to feel like part of your journey,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Step 7: Share your knowledge<\/strong>. \u201cIn situations like this, people often want to live vicariously,\u201d Hannon<\/strong> says. Send articles and links about topics relating to your new endeavor to help people understand what you\u2019re up to.<\/p>\n

Step 8: Use the announcement to boost your profile<\/strong>. When you do publicize your shift, make sure to notify former colleagues, potential networking opportunities, and your alumni associations and include a link to your new company or website\u2014sharing the news just might bolster your business.<\/p>\n

By Kara Baskin

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