Zeteophobia: Overcoming the Fear of Missing Out

Zeteophobia

NOUN /:       

Anxiety associated with career decision

How many of us are truly equipped with enough life experience, self-knowledge, and information about suitable careers?

For many adults, there’s a lot of anxiety around career decision making. The indecisiveness is quite normal because we spend 1/3 of our life working. Plus, the workplace is changing at a crazy rate. Thus, if you haven't been getting the appropriate career guidance, you'll most likely be suffering from zeteophobia.  

Here are a few famous movie dialogues that may help us gain perspective:

“Why are you trying so hard to fit in, when you were born to stand out?” What a girl wants (2013)

Career is defined as ‘an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life and with opportunities for progress.’ Then why do we always choose the jobs with the assumption that it will always pay because everyone else’s is?

Are we trying too hard to fit into a career – that is considered good by people around? Are you afraid of choosing something simply because it is unconventional? Is that the right way to choose a career? 

“People are afraid of what they don’t understand.” Man of steel (2013)

“Fear of failure” is one of the major reasons leading to career anxiety. We always tend to stick to our comfort zones. There are numerous career options now - many of which didn't exist 10 years ago.

Change is always scary. But fear is only a waste of time, adding no value. Doing a psychometric test and discovering your abilities and available options – will address these unfounded fears. With a clear mind you will realize, there’s literally nothing we need to panic about.

“All we have to do is decide to do with the time that is given to us” Gandalf in Lord of the rings

“I don’t have time”

“There aren’t enough opportunities for me”

“I am scared it won’t work out”

Are some of the excuses we tend to give to avoid uncertainty, which majorly comes from lack of self-awareness and not knowing what we actually want. We always tend to use shortage of time and our ignorance as an excuse for mediocrity.

 “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” The wolf of the wall street (2013)

Most of the time it’s you who keeps yourself within the limits and not others. Career choice can often be confusing and stressful but if you allow yourself to be more open, it all won’t really be a tough choice. 

Seek out a counselor – do your psychometric test and get to learn all about your weaknesses and strengths. You will find your uniqueness – and will confidently move ahead in your career plan.