Why fear is a good sign when you’re on the edge of a career breakthrough

There’s a sudden dropping sensation in your stomach.

A surge of adrenaline explodes out of your heart through your entire body.

Tension rises in your, neck, shoulders, chest and abdomen.

And then you realise that for one very brief moment you’d been thinking about changing your career.

But this time it was more than just a fantasy.

It was more than just a nice bedtime story to lull yourself to sleep through the Sunday night anxiety of your current job.

This time there was real intention behind it. You allowed yourself to connect emotionally to the thought of a new career, a new reality, a new you.

And at that very moment the idea was created, fear came smashing into it and drop-kicked you in the chest as if to say –

‘You aint going nowhere without me mate’

Most people see this as a threat on their life. They think fear is holding a knife to their throats, saying ‘make a move I dare you!’.

They stop right there and run back to the safety of whatever gets fear to go away.

Because not only does fear feel unpleasant but people assume it’s a sign you’re not ready. That initial surge of fear makes them feel as though whatever they were planning is doomed.

In the highly competitive job market people want to feel strong and fearless before taking the first step.

But think about all the major firsts as you’ve grown in your career, all the way back to childhood:

• First day of school
• First exam
• First presentation
• First job interview
• First day at work

How did you feel before them…?

Unless you’re a psychopath then there was at least abit of fear.

And I’m guessing if you’re reading this then that fear didn’t inflict the fatal injury it felt like it would.

So what if the fear you were feeling before these events – and the fear you’re feeling now on contemplating career change are not an obstruction but a guide indicating the direction of growth?

What Spider-Man taught me about career change

When I first realised I truly wanted to leave medicine, it felt like I was losing the plot.

I kept thinking,

• Why do I have to feel this way?
• Why can’t I just be content like everyone else?
• Why does it have to feel so heavy, so wrong, so hard?

This was supposed to be a stable, lifelong career. And now I was stuck with this horrible, breathless fear. Fear that I’d throw it all away. Fear that I’d never find something else. Fear that everyone would see me fail.

I was afraid of being an outlier whether that meant being seen as the crazy guy or the fearless rebel. Because I was neither. I was just a man who wanted more.

But I eventually realised this simple truth: feeling fulfilled mattered more to me than feeling fearless.

There’s a scene in Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse where Miles Morales is wrestling with the fear of becoming Spiderman. He turns to his mentor Peter B. Parker and asks,

“How will I know I’m ready?”

And Peter replies: “You won’t. It’s a leap of faith.”

That hit me hard. Because that’s what it is, isn’t it?

It’s a leap of faith... faith that you are capable of growing, and even if you fall, you’ll get back up.

That was the turning point for me: understanding that without fear, there’s nothing to overcome, and without overcoming something, there’s no room to grow.

3 reframes to nullify fear

1. Fear is just a misread signal

Fear causes all sorts of unpleasant sensations in the body – the rush of adrenaline, tension in the chest, racing thoughts. Naturally, your mind interprets this as danger.

But this is just the emotional part of your brain sounding the alarm – and it can’t tell the difference between a real threat (like a car speeding towards you) and a psychological one (like updating your CV or telling your boss you want to leave).

If you pause and hold that thought just a little longer – long enough for the logical part of your brain to join the conversation – you’ll often realise there’s no physical danger at all.

In fact, that same nervous energy could be excitement that you’re about to level up! Growth and fear feel almost identical in the body. The trick is learning to stay with it long enough to tell the difference.

2. Fear and meaning often travel together

One of the things I’ve noticed in coaching and in my own life is that fear tends to hang around the things that matter most.

It rarely shows up when you’re doing something you don’t care about. But the moment you start to imagine a life that feels more aligned, more you – fear just lingers over your shoulder.

It’s not because you're on the wrong path. It’s because you're standing on the edge of something meaningful.

Fear is often a clue that you’re moving towards something your current identity isn’t quite ready for yet – but your future self is.

So instead of asking, “Why am I so scared?” try asking, “What does this fear say about what I truly care about?”

3. It’s okay to carry fear to get where you want to go.

90% of the time when a coaching client says they can’t do something it’s because of fear.

One of the biggest myths we’re sold is that not being afraid, or not being nervous makes us appear cool.

But the truth is, fear doesn’t make you uncool, it makes you human. And you don’t have to get rid of it to take action – you have to learn how to carry it.

Elizabeth Gilbert puts it best in Big Magic. She describes fear as a passenger in the car on your road trip. It's allowed to be there – it can sit in the backseat, buckle up, even shout directions if it wants. But it doesn’t get to drive. It doesn’t touch the wheel.

And that’s how it is with career change. You can feel nervous, uncertain, exposed – and still take a step.

You don’t need to be fearless to move forward - you just need to stop waiting for fear to disappear before you start.

Conclusion: Fear isn't the bad guy

If you take one thing from reading this let it be that fear isn’t the bad guy you think it is.

It’s just a physical sensation that shows up when you’re craving personal growth. The aversion you’re experiencing is a test you have to pass in order to unlock the next level of life fulfilment.

Remember none of these things represent real physical threats to life. (So don’t go thinking the fear of hand to hand combat with a Grizzly Bear is an opportunity for growth!)

The next time you feel afraid to make a move in your career get really curious about what fear means.

Better yet here’s a prompt for your journal:

What’s one thing I fear right now, and what might that fear be pointing to?

Whatever it is you’re thinking of doing, its okay to be scared. Because courage is way cooler than inaction.

Stay Healthy

Lewis

P.S If it resonated, I’d love to hear what fear is currently keeping you from. Connect and message me on Linked-In.

And if you’re ready to start navigating that fear with support then:

1) Book yourself a free introductory coaching call in The Empowerment Clinic.

It's my virtual coaching room where I run the Confident Career Change Coaching program to help you 'flow' into a career that truly fulfils you.

2) Join below to make sure you don't miss next weeks Lew's Letter.