Unfounded and untrue myths about job searching and careers are a major source of stress for my clients, and it pains me when I see them needlessly struggle. I’ve been spending the last couple of months here trying my best to dispel the lies we’ve been told. I’ve tackled the actual risk of changing careers, what your career dissatisfaction really means, and whether there’s a perfect job out there for you, among other topics. 

This time I’m going to challenge the people who think they need a backup plan before they quit their job. Of course, advice is rarely one size fits all, this piece included. I look at the times when a backup plan might be necessary, and I challenge everyone—yes, you too!—to try embracing risk.

Myth #7: Always have a backup plan. 

A lot of people say that you should always have a backup plan before quitting your job: have another job lined up, make sure you’re already making money with your side gig, and so on. In this myth, I want to focus on the word “always.” I’m not about to make a blanket statement that suggests ditching all planning and reason. But hear me out.

With the one-foot-in-one-foot-out mindset, we can sometimes hold ourselves back. And when we hold ourselves back, we risk the chance of neither goal succeeding. Or we get scared of juggling two ideas, so we close one door and retreat, and we don’t put our everything in it. 

The reality is if we want to chase down a dream job, then we have to put in more than 50 percent effort. Easier said than done, right? But that’s just the way things are, and for good reason.

However, take this with a grain of salt. There are times to jump in wholeheartedly, and there are times to wade in slowly and carefully. 

1. If you haven’t saved up money to afford not working for a while (finding a satisfying job can take anywhere from two months to a year), then maybe don’t quit with the mentality of “I’ll figure it out.” (On the other other hand, though, sometimes our greatest achievements come when we have our backs against the wall—hence my statement above that one size does not fit all.)
2. If your current job is severely affecting your mental, emotional, or physical health, no one would blame you for quitting without having another job lined up (but see #1). But if you’re just getting antsy for a change, patience and planning might help Future You more.
3. If you don’t see any potential professional growth where you are, it might be time to change companies or careers. However, every successful person has had to pay their dues and work their way through less glamorous jobs. If you’re at a necessary stepping-stone job, maybe don’t quit just yet.

Backup plans, however, diffuse our energy. Diffused energy equals diffused results. Your dream, and thus your well-being, deserve your all, which means that risk is inherent in chasing your passions. When you take a risk, you’ve got a better chance of being successful. This month, I challenge you to commit to playing a bigger game. Minimize your backup plans—commit and go! When was the last time you collapsed from hard work and still felt satisfied? 

And just to be clear, there’s a difference between having a plan and a backup plan. Spend some time planning how you would go about starting to envision a new career (Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans is a GREAT resource) and prototyping  your next steps, of course. But don’t let planning get in the way of doing.

I’m Stacey Lane: Career Coach | Transition & Career Strategist | Personal Brand Specialist

I help individuals with unique backgrounds find their perfect fit and effectively market themselves so they find work that is as interesting as they are.

Contact me to get started!