"But I've Invested So Much Into This Career..." – The Truth About Career Change
As a career change coach, I hear this all the time: “But I’ve invested so much into this career.”
It’s one of the most common fears that keeps brilliant professionals stuck in careers that no longer fit. This is what psychologists call the sunk cost fallacy – the belief that because you’ve already invested time, money, or effort, you have to keep going, even if it’s making you miserable.
Let’s break it down.
What You’ve Really Invested in Your Career
Time: You can’t get it back anyway.
Energy: It’s renewable, and you can redirect it.
Money: You can always earn again.
Reputation: It’s not fixed. It evolves with you.
The real question isn’t “Can I afford to leave?”
The real question is: Can you afford to stay?
The Hidden Cost of Staying Stuck
I see professionals who are more worried about “wasting” their degree than wasting their life.
More concerned about explaining a career change than explaining why they’re perpetually exhausted.
More afraid of starting over than afraid of never truly starting at all.
The truth is, every skill you’ve learned, every experience you’ve had, every challenge you’ve overcome – none of it is wasted.
It’s all preparation for what comes next.
Why a Career Change Isn’t Starting Over
I would not have been successful in connecting with clients, taking them through a life transition and running a business had I not had my legal career first. It was a necessary part of my journey.
You’re not throwing it away - you’re completing one era and moving into your next.
The only real waste is refusing to use your brilliance in service of something that actually matters to you.
When you work with a career coach, you discover that a career change isn’t about throwing everything away. It’s about repurposing your skills, reframing your experience, and finally building a path that feels aligned with who you are today.
So what if your career change wasn’t about starting over…
What if it was about finally starting right?
👉 If you’re ready to stop settling and start creating a career that excites you, let’s talk. As a career change coach, I help professionals like you find clarity, confidence, and direction for the next chapter of your career.