How do you handle new career learning curves?

Changing careers can be exciting, rewarding, and challenging. But it also comes with a learning curve that can feel overwhelming at times. How do you cope with the new skills, expectations, and environments that you encounter in your new career path? Here are some tips to help you handle new career learning curves with confidence and resilience.

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

Before you dive into your new role, take some time to assess your current strengths and identify the areas where you need to improve. This will help you set realistic goals, prioritize your learning, and leverage your existing expertise. You can use tools like self-assessments, feedback, mentors, or online courses to evaluate your skills and knowledge. Be honest with yourself and acknowledge your strengths and gaps without judgment.

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Elizabeth Fortune

Career Consultant | Personal Development | M.Ed. | CWDP | SHRM-VW | Strategist | Trainer | Adult Educator | International Real Estate Consultant | International Prop. Spec. (IP) | Resort & Second Home Prop. Spec. (IP)
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I concur and would like to add that assessing your strengths is the easy part. The challenge is in assessing your WEAKNESSES and putting in place a strategy to up level them. This requires an honest approach to areas that are lacking and putting in the work to strengthen those areas.

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2 Embrace a growth mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that you can develop your abilities through effort, feedback, and practice. It helps you see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as threats to your self-esteem. A growth mindset also helps you cope with setbacks, mistakes, and criticism, and use them as feedback to improve. To cultivate a growth mindset, focus on your progress, celebrate your achievements, seek feedback, and embrace new experiences.

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Angie M. Callen, PCC, MJSC

Authentic Human • Speaker • Coach 👉 Executive + Business Coach for People-First Coaches, Leaders, and Entrepreneurs 🏔️ Proving You Can Have a Thriving Business, Career, AND Life…One Mountain Adventure at a Time
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The recurring theme of growth mindset, abundance versus scarcity, and power of positive thinking has been present in my world quite a lot lately, so it seemed fitting (ironic) to see it here. 🤨 Ultimately, much of your success in life, business, and careers comes down to mindset. Whether it’s learning something new or attempting to enter a new career path, if you don’t believe you can gain new knowledge, do something different, or achieve a goal, chances are you never will. Having faith in your abilities and trusting your instincts builds resilience and conviction to help you reach the next level milestone. 💪

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3 Plan your learning strategy

Having a clear and structured learning strategy can help you navigate your new career learning curve more effectively. A learning strategy is a plan that outlines your goals, resources, methods, and timelines, allowing you to organize your learning, track your progress, and evaluate your outcomes. You can use a template or create your own based on your needs and preferences. For example, setting SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound will help define what you want to learn and why. Additionally, you should identify the sources of information and support that you will use to learn, such as books, courses, mentors or online platforms. When it comes to methods of learning, consider reading, watching, listening, practicing or teaching. Additionally, timelines should be set with deadlines and milestones that will help track progress such as completing a course or passing a test. Finally, criteria and tools should be established for evaluation such as quizzes, feedback or portfolios.

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Gina Riley

Career Transition Coach | Executive Search | Speaker + Workshop Facilitator | Forbes Coaches Council | My clients land jobs faster using the Career Velocity™ system outlined in my book 📘 Qualified Isn’t Enough 📘
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There are so many ways to upskill and fill gaps! Here is a list of ideas you can use to build your plan: * Skills inventory: Create a list of skills essential to success. * Research and informational conversations: Talk to people doing the job. * Talk with management about their expectations. * Work with a coach with the functional expertise area you are trying to grow. * Past performance reviews: Don't overlook skill gaps that have already been identified as areas of improvement! * Seek out mentors.

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4 Seek support and feedback

Learning a new career can be daunting, but you don't have to go it alone. Seeking support and feedback from others can help you overcome obstacles, gain insights, and motivate you. You can get the support and feedback you need from mentors, peers, managers, and coaches. Mentors are experienced professionals who can guide you and share their expertise. Peers are colleagues or fellow learners who can collaborate with you and provide mutual support. Managers are supervisors or leaders who can provide direction and expectations. Coaches are trained professionals who can help you identify your strengths and challenges, and develop action plans. All these sources of support and feedback can help you succeed in your journey towards a new career.

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Joana Fonseca Orvalho

💼 Career Clarity Coach→ I simplify career confusion into clear, tailored, and practical next steps | Professional Facilitator | Risk & Business Consultant | Bestselling Author
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If you're embarking on the exciting journey of a new career, you must get some support! In my experience, the best way to get started is by connecting with peers and finding yourself a mentor. A mentor will be someone who has been in a similar career to the one you are starting for a long time and knows exactly how best to navigate it - it can offer you invaluable advice about key areas of expertise you need to develop and support you in networking so that you build a support system. Similarly, your peers will be colleagues who know exactly what success looks like in this new field, and, by building an honest and humble relationship with them, they can share with you key knowledge and point you in the right direction when needed.

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5 Be flexible and adaptable

Learning a new career requires flexibility and adaptability. You may encounter unexpected changes, new demands, or different perspectives that challenge your assumptions and habits. You may also need to adjust your learning strategy, methods, or goals as you progress and discover new information and opportunities. To be flexible and adaptable, you need to be open-minded, curious, and willing to experiment and learn from different situations and experiences. You also need to be proactive, resilient, and positive, and focus on the solutions rather than the problems.

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6 Enjoy the journey

Finally, learning a new career can be fun and rewarding. It can help you discover new passions, interests, and possibilities. It can also help you develop new skills, knowledge, and confidence that can benefit you in your personal and professional life. So, enjoy the journey and celebrate your learning and growth. Remember that learning is a lifelong process, and you can always keep learning and improving in your new career path.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Alyssa Gessleman

PMP-Certified Project Manager | Healthcare, Tech, and Digital Engagement | Driving Scalable, Value-Based Solutions Across Industries
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Embracing humility and curiosity by asking questions is a powerful tool in any new endeavor. Pretending to know something when you don't isn't just a potential avenue for mistakes, but it also closes off opportunities for growth and learning. Everyone was new at some point and had to learn. When we admit we don't know, we open ourselves to the wisdom and experience of others. In this way, questions become bridges to understanding, fostering collaboration and mutual respect in the workplace. So don't fear asking questions; it's a sign of strength and the pathway to knowledge.

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How do you handle new career learning curves?

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1 Assess your strengths and gaps

2 Embrace a growth mindset

3 Plan your learning strategy

4 Seek support and feedback

5 Be flexible and adaptable

6 Enjoy the journey

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Path Planning

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