Everyone deserves a meaningful career. A job that truly fits you helps you stay healthy and engaged at work. Research shows that people who enjoy their work, feel fulfilled, and care about what they do are more committed to their organization.
Unfortunately, many people feel stuck in jobs that don’t suit them, jobs that bring no joy and sometimes even make them ill. So why do so many people stay in roles that aren’t right for them, only to regret it later?
Here, we share 5 tips to help you step out of your comfort zone and find a job that truly fits you.

Why do people prefer to stay in their comfort zone?

People often find it difficult to change jobs because they feel stuck in their so-called comfort zone, a place that feels familiar and safe. Stepping out of that zone means facing discomfort, or in other words, the fear of the unknown. And that’s something we naturally want to avoid. Leaving your current role means taking the risk of failing in something new.

On the other hand, it’s clear that stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for creating change and achieving breakthroughs. As Thomas Edison famously said: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” If he hadn’t stepped out of his comfort zone, we’d still be lighting our evenings with candles.

Stepping out of your comfort zone, finding a job that truly fits you and feels like coming home, how do you actually do that?
Here are 5 tips to get you started!

Tip 1: Know where you want to go

Your comfort zone feels safe and familiar, which is why it’s important to know why you want to step out of it. Try to get a clear picture of your next career move — in other words, your career goal. Talking to others about your talents and dreams can really help. Do you know people who do work that excites you, or who work at an organization that makes you feel inspired? Ask them to share more about their experience.
Browsing online resources, such as career guides, can also provide valuable insights. And once you’ve figured out what you truly want, write it down. Regularly visualizing yourself already in that job can help you overcome the obstacles that stand in your way.

Tip 2: List your fears

The fears that often hold us back from making changes are usually the fear of failure and the fear of rejection. In John Izzo’s book The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, based on life stories from hundreds of people, one key insight stands out: those who have lived a meaningful and fulfilling life have few to no regrets. That’s one of the five “secrets” he describes.
You can hold on to the fact that people tend to regret the things they didn’t do far more than the things they did, even if those things didn’t work out. If you fail, at least you’ve gained an experience.
The fear of rejection often leads us to conform to what others want or expect from us. Yet another “secret” is to stay true to yourself, and conforming to others often stands in the way of that. So if you really listen to yourself: What is it that YOU want?

Tip 3: Make sure you are well informed

Be aware of the consequences your possible actions may have. It’s important to stay realistic, without letting realism hold you back. Whether it’s having a conversation with your employer about no longer feeling comfortable in your role, applying for a new job, or actually deciding to part ways with your current employer… whatever you choose to do, make sure you understand the options and potential consequences. That knowledge will help you better assess whether you’re willing to take the risks involved.

Tip 4: Do it together

If you’re planning to take steps toward a new role, and step out of your comfort zone, it helps to have people around you who support and encourage you. This could be a good friend, but also a colleague or acquaintance who you know is also thinking about changing jobs. Suggest meeting up regularly to share experiences and progress. Supporting each other can make the journey much easier.

Tip 5: Take small steps

Albert Sonneveld, an inspiring author and psychologist, recently gave a talk. He shared that when he first started his private practice, he was amazed at how little most of his clients actually changed. This led him to explore the reasons behind it. What he found is that our brains and in particular, a part called the amygdala, tend to go into overdrive when we try to change too much at once.
So the key is: take small steps. By doing so, you can create change without triggering resistance from your amygdala. Applying for a new job right now might feel like too big a leap. But reflecting on your career goals and having conversations with others could be the perfect first step for you.

Would you like to receive more tips and inspiration on finding a job that truly feels like coming home?