Self-sabotaging
A former co-worker (and still a close friend) gave me some socks for a birthday. Emblazoned on the side of these socks are the words: "Shhh, I'm overthinking." Every time I wear those socks I laugh out loud, and I'm reminded how well that friend knows me. Thinking is a good thing, but overthinking can sometimes get in the way.
We all have aspects of our personality that sometimes don't serve us well. Shirzad Chamine writes eloquently about "saboteurs," those parts of us that sometimes get in our own way. Try out the free assessment to learn more about yours.
One self-sabotaging behavior I see sometimes with clients is a reluctance to apply for a job that feels a bit like a stretch. Maybe it's a VP title and you've only been a director so far? Maybe you're not sure you have all the qualifications? Maybe the thought of taking the next step makes you anxious?
If this sounds familiar to you, here are three thoughts to consider:
1. If you have the qualifications and the job looks exciting AND you can write a strong cover letter easily (meaning there's some passion for the job), then go for it. If you have a hook for your letter — a reason that you are enthusiastic — that will draw the reader in and want to learn more.
2. If you are nervous about a more elevated title or higher level of responsibility, consider if the unease is because you really don't want to manage more staff or take on more duties or if you are nervous because it's a new challenge. New things are scary to many of us! If it's the latter, I'd encourage you to apply for the job because a challenge is a good thing. Most of us want to hire employees who are challenged because they will be motivated. They'll be hungry to do their best.
3. If you apply for a job, get the interview(s), and receive an offer, you can say no. You can turn down a job offer. Interviewing is always a two-way street: for the potential employer to learn about you and for you to learn about a potential employer. Until the hiring staff has gathered more information about you, they won't know if they want to hire you. And, until you have more information about the job and the people, you won't know if you want to be hired.
I'm not encouraging you to reach for that VP job if that doesn't interest you: you define success in your way. But if any of my suggestions ring true to you, remember them next time you hesitate to submit an application.
And last, I always suggest you do the "what's the worst thing that can happen?" test. If the answer to that is that they ignore your application, then I'd suggest you can survive that.
