There’s a myth in the career world that you have to know how to do your next career BEFORE you make your pivot.

Time and time again, I’m proof that’s not true. 

For instance, I am a podcast host, but before I became one, I was… decidedly not a podcast host: fiercely private, NOT super tech-savvy, and introverted. 

And the truth is… no one but me really knows how I made that change. No one knows that sweet in-between—the transition process. The idea felt insane when I had no clue what I was doing—but I took it step by step, asked a lot of questions, and googled everything.

Seriously, web searches were my best friend for questions like…

“How do you record a podcast episode?”

“What kind of tech products do I need?”

“How do I link my podcast to my blog?”

“Why is the audio on my new mic so muffled?”

Okay, storytime on that last one. It turns out I had recorded an entire episode with the microphone on backward. You could call that a face-palm moment (and it is!), but I prefer to think of it as a learning opportunity.

And now, look at us—we’re almost at episode 200!

But if I had let “not knowing enough” hold me back, I never would have started. Instead, curiosity (and a bit of courage) let me dive right in.

You can, too, my friend.

Curiosity is our gift as humans, and over the years, I’ve seen time and time again how indulging your curiosity can lead to surprising new opportunities and long-desired new directions, whether that’s a podcast or a new career. 

 Here’s how to begin.

Release These (Fictional) Stories We Tell Ourselves 

Myth: I have to learn everything before I can make the move.
In my experience, the best leaders want someone who will grow and learn in the role—not someone who’s already mastered it and will be bored in six months. Staying open and teachable goes a long way. 

Myth: A career change means starting over.
You’re never leaving your previous experience behind—it all counts. It’s usually less about starting from scratch and more about transferring your skills to a new role in a way that makes sense for you and the team you’re joining.

Myth: I need to go back to school first.
There are many different ways to learn today. Don’t talk yourself out of a change because you think you need a degree first.

Myth: I need to feel confident before I begin.
Confidence is a result of action—not a prerequisite for it. No one is born confident—you start small, gain confidence, and keep going. (This is a favorite theme of Marie Forleo’s book Everything Is Figureoutable: Nearly anything can be solved with creativity and resourcefulness.)

Figure Out What Your Curiosity Is Trying To Tell You: How To Follow The Clues

1. Start by paying attention to the media you’re drawn to.

Which section do you head to first in a bookstore? If you had to pick one magazine for a long flight, what would it be? What kind of podcasts do you gravitate toward? If you watch TV or movies, what characters or settings pull you in? 

2. Values matter too

What’s most important to you in this season of life?

3. Don’t overlook your energy and strengths

What are you good at and love doing? What do you find yourself googling just to learn more about it?

4. Sometimes the clues are more subtle shifts, like:

+ I’m more interested in that kind of work lately.
+ That meeting used to energize me and now it doesn’t.
+ I keep thinking about taking that class.
+ I loved talking to that person about what they do.
+ I want more space.

All of these clues can point you toward a new direction. Is there a pattern? What might they be telling you?

Put Your Curiosity In Action With The Learn List Ritual

Choose one new thing to learn each week—something you’re curious about that is tiny, simple, and interesting. It could be a new skill or micro-skill for work; a new recipe; a concept you’ve been curious about; a new word, tool, or technique; or something about yourself through reflection.

Keep a dedicated list in your In Season planner, and jot down two things for each entry (one sentence each is plenty!):
+ What I learned
+ Why it matters

What Curiosity Looks Like In Action: One Client’s Story

One client of mine (I’ll call her Jane) found me as she entered a new decade in her life—the big 5-0. Jane had always worked in retail as a team lead, but as this milestone approached, she craved more. She was well educated, with a master’s degree she wanted to use, but felt she lacked the experience to make a change.

We worked together to shape her career story and identify her transferable skills. Then the roles she wanted started popping up—not typical postings, but niche opportunities in a small town, as if the universe was bringing them straight to her!

Jane’s job at the time was pretty demanding—nights, weekends, covering shifts whenever someone called in sick. Our 5-Minute-to-Flourish time management approach helped her carve out space, along with a daily gratitude practice. 

Then it all clicked: A community programming role opened up. Jane didn’t know how to do most of it, but she was determined. She learned by doing her own research, tapping into her network, working with the Flourish Careers community, and practicing with us—and she got it.

I’ll never forget her presenting her program to us on a weekly Q&A call—the same kind of presentation she’d had to do for the interview. Her energy and excitement were unmistakable. Jane was a different person. 

Now she’s flourishing in a role, industry, and organization that’s aligned with her and everything she went to school for. I am so proud of her.

How Flourish Careers Can Help

If any of this is stirring something in you—a pull toward a new direction, a curiosity you haven’t given yourself permission to follow yet—you don’t have to figure it out alone. 

Whether it’s through 1:1 career coaching, a self-led journey through our Fried to Flourishing course, or something in between, we’re here to help you turn those clues into a clear next step.

Check out the Fried to Flourishing Group Coaching Experience to learn more. 

Want More Career Wisdom? Keep Reading

+ Why Careers Move in Seasons
+ Room To Take Root: How A Spacious Job Search Opens Up Possibilities
+ Discover Your Path to Career Fulfillment [Listener Favorite]

Connect with Me

For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.

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