What is career inaction?

Do you continue to tell friends and family that you desperately want to change your career but fail to take steps to do anything about it?

Career researcher Marijke Verbruggen has coined a term for this. It’s named “Career inaction” and it’s defined as the “failure to act sufficiently over some period of time on a desired change in one’s career”.

Career inaction follows a decision. You will know the path you want to follow to be happier and you will be in a situation where you can make a change – but you will choose to do nothing.

Julia Yates (author of ‘The Career Coaching Handbook’) explains that there are two human tendencies to blame for this.

1.      The tendency to delay decisions.

2.      The tendency to avoid taking action.

But the three inertia-enhancing mechanisms that underly career inaction are:

1.     Fear and anxiety:  most carer choices have an uncertain outcome.

2.     Short-termism: often career decisions will involve making short-term losses. You may be focusing on short-term comfort over longer-term benefits.

3.     Cognitive overload: there can be complex decision-making involved with career change. Dealing with too many options and variables simultaneously may result in you just not processing anything at all.

The problem with career inaction is that it is compounded. Research has shown ‘inaction causes further inaction’. Essentially if you bypass one career opportunity you are less likely to take up further opportunities as they arise. This may explain why you:

·        get ‘stuck’ in a career you don’t like; or

·        end up being unemployed after receiving multiple job offers; or

·        have career goals that you don’t act upon.

So, what can help to become ‘career active’?

Having a clear vision of the future

Developing a clear vision for the future, examining ideas and possibilities, and researching options can help to reduce anxiety and fear and reduce the cognitive overload.

Reflecting on career regrets

Often career inaction can result in regret, which in turn may lead to negative thinking patterns and unhealthy coping strategies. Through self-reflection work and coaching discussions, you may uncover why you made the choices you did and use that insight to help you move forward.

Understanding what’s hindering your progress

By taking time to think about what may be stopping you from moving into action, you can consider strategies for overcoming any blocks and barriers and develop a realistic and actionable plan.

Committing to action

Often this commitment to action involves breaking the plan into smaller, more manageable steps that will make the process feel less risky.

Maybe you would find it helpful to have an ‘accountability partner’? Someone to keep you on track and provide support and encouragement to help you reach your goals.

Following a new path….

As a professionally qualified career coach, I’m available to help you move forward in your career journey. I’d love to help you on your journey.