You Might Never Feel Ready, And That’s Okay
Over the years, I’ve lost count of the number of conversations I’ve had with accounting professionals who tell me they’re thinking about moving jobs, but they’re waiting until they feel ready.
It’s such a common theme, and one I completely understand. Making a career change is a big decision. You want to feel certain it’s the right move. Confident in your next step. And fully prepared for the disruption that comes with this kind of change.
But, what I’ve learned from more than 20 years of working in recruitment across the North East is that the feeling of being “ready” very rarely comes.
Fear of change is normal
Recent research backs me up. A study across the UK workforce found that nearly half of workers are too scared of change to leave their job, even when they’re unhappy.
The survey went on to describe us as a nation with a “growing culture of caution”, with fear of change holding people back and, arguably, the wider economy.
I see this play out in public practice firms all the time. People tell themselves they’ll think about moving after the next busy season, or once their children are older, or when the economy improves, or they’ve had their next bonus. There’s always a reason to stay in your comfort zone if you look hard enough.
And while it often feels safer to stay where you are, that safety can come with a cost. Growing stress, frustration, stagnation, and the creeping sense that you’re not fulfilling your potential can build up over time, leading to an unhappy working life.
Being ready isn’t a feeling; it’s a decision
One of the things I have noticed is that people who successfully make a career move don’t do it because they suddenly feel brave. They do it because they decide to take action, whether they are scared or not.
And it’s important to realise that taking action doesn’t have to mean handing in your notice tomorrow. You might start with a simple moment of reflection, asking yourself:
Am I still growing and learning here?
Does this role support the life I want?
If nothing changes in the next year, will I feel content?
If the answer to that last question is no, then maybe the question isn’t “Am I ready to move?” but “Am I ready to stop feeling stuck?”
Why waiting rarely works
In my experience, saying you are waiting to feel ready is a mechanism people use to protect themselves from the risks they associate with change. In reality, change rarely gets easier with time. It’s a bit like standing on the edge of a cold swimming pool. You can spend ages dipping a toe in, telling yourself you’ll jump when the water feels warmer, but the only way to get used to it is to take the plunge.
Of course, that doesn’t mean rushing into a decision and doing something reckless. But it does mean recognising that clarity often comes from taking action, not from standing still.
You don’t have to do it alone
In my experience, the best first step is a simple conversation with someone you trust, and some gentle exploration of what’s out there. That can be enough to start building confidence.
It’s a cliché, but nothing changes if nothing changes. So, if you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to move your career forward, maybe it’s time to stop waiting and start asking yourself what you really want. Then move towards it.