When starting any new endeavor, it's important to consider where you are starting before plotting where you want to go. Everyone starts this journey in a different mental state and with different circumstances. At some point in our lives, we have had to consider how our career could and or should change.  Some start in a place of doubt, fear, trepidation, boredom, or even uncertainty. Some have situations that may be hostile or unsatisfying. Perhaps, some are just looking for a promotion or move into management.  Yet some might feel that their job was or is in jeopardy. Maybe, you were either bored or unchallenged and need to change.  Figuring out what to do with your career can be scary and leave you worried about the uncertainty of the future.

I know failure… I have struggled with frustration, fear, feeling stuck, not knowing where to start, not knowing what to do next, doubting my skills, wondering if I should learn something new, not feeling qualified, having imposter syndrome, and general self-deprecating behaviors that left me lost and scared.  I’ve looked at others and told myself, I’ll never fit in there or they have more skill and talent than me. I’ve felt alone, isolated, and in places where I don’t feel like I just don’t fit in.   

Mindset makes all the difference in how effectively you think about, design, plan, organize, and begin a career you truly enjoy. 

Dysfunctional Beliefs

Cognitive distortions have to do with patterns or processes of thinking. In contrast, dysfunctional beliefs have to do with the actual content of thinking itself. Anyone who has life experiences creates a point of view of life which are beliefs about themselves and the world.  These beliefs are influenced by interpersonal interactions, social information, how they were raised and social norms. Beliefs are the accepted truths we assimilate about how the world works, who we are in the world, and why circumstances are the way they are. Those beliefs can be beneficial or harmful to us and the future we want to create. Below are examples of both types:

Dysfunctional beliefs about self

• I'm not good enough
• I'm lazy
• I'm too old
• I'll never have enough
• I'll never be successful
• I'm always late
• I should know by now
• I should have done better
• I always make mistakes
• I'll never be happy
• I have to do everything
• I must be in control
• I'm at the mercy of everything that happens
• I should never ask for help, it makes me look weak
• I must be perfect
• I'm not worthy
• I'll always be alone
• I don't have all the right skills
• I don't deserve to have what I want
• I must get it all done now
• If I were successful, I'd be happy
• I don't have a degree so I'll never amount to anything
• It's too late to design my career now

Dysfunctional beliefs about others or the world

• People don't change
• Everyone is mean.
• Everyone thinks I'm weird.
• Things must go well
• Everything must be perfect
• Others should always treat me with respect
• The world should be polite
• Life should be fair
• People shouldn't compare themselves to others
• No one likes me

Beliefs emerged in your life at some point and enabled you to deal with a situation at the time.  But, life is truly a blank canvas and you should examine your beliefs to see if they are serving you towards the success you truly want to achieve.  Also put, YOU could be holding yourself back simply by holding onto dysfunctional beliefs that don't serve you.

As discussed by Dave Evans, Lecturer at Stanford Product Design Program, 

https://youtu.be/WVIjnK-Xk3I

The happiness factory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8SmNzoyR78

ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2zRA5zCA6M

Changing beliefs (core beliefs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxditxbHsWg

Expectations  / Letdowns

Acceptance - how to (The empowerment dynamic)

Design your state - Tony Robbins Triad - Language physiology and focus

Designer Mindset - CURIOSITY, EXPERIMENTATION, TALK TO PEOPLE AND TELL YOUR STORY

What is design thinking and why use this method