The Career Hack No One Talks About: Unlearning
FutureSkill #2
Most people think that the key to career success is learning as much as possible. They believe the more skills and knowledge they acquire, the better their chances of advancing. This belief has been ingrained in us from a young age.
While continuous learning is important, this common belief is only part of the equation. In reality, unlearning outdated ideas and habits is just as crucial for career growth and staying relevant in today's job market.
The Problem with Holding on to Outdated Beliefs
The belief that learning alone will ensure career success stems from our traditional education system, which constantly encourages us to accumulate knowledge.
This mindset continues into our professional lives, leading us to prioritize learning new things over reevaluating what we already know. As a result, we often cling to outdated beliefs, even when they no longer serve us.
Here are a few examples:
Job titles define our worth. We often equate personal and professional worth with job titles and formal positions rather than actual contributions and skills.
Specialization and single skill focus. We rely on one core skill or expertise rather than develop a diverse skill set to adapt to changing job markets.
Retirement is our ultimate end goal. Many people treat retirement as their ultimate career goal rather than focusing on creating fulfilling work throughout their careers.
Why This Belief is Flawed
Clinging to outdated beliefs can keep you stuck and hinder your career progress.
“Look for the gap between where you are and where you say you want to be. Chances are you’re holding onto outdated beliefs and unconscious commitments that keep you stuck.
Also, look for the places where you wish your life was different. You keep hoping you’ll change or that something or someone will come save you. Chances are you are holding onto some old stories, limiting thoughts, and negative self-worth that are keeping you from making advances.
Often, these come from early experiences and may simply be things you adopted from your parents, community, teachers, or mentors early on and took as truth!” - Linda M. Perry, Mindset Coach & Business Strategist
Amanda Hazer, Elite Athlete Transitions + Executive Coach, shared signs or triggers to look out for to identify knowledge or beliefs that no longer serve you:
Apathy
Burnout
Boredom
Disengagement
Lack of motivation
An inability to stay present
An internal tension or anxiety
Yearning for something new or different
Accumulating more information without analyzing what you already know and whether your existing knowledge and beliefs still serve you is futile. It can become mental clutter.
Unlearning involves intentionally assessing and letting go of outdated, unused, or undeserving information, beliefs, and behaviors. It's not about forgetting what you've learned. Also, unlearning is not a biological process, as Kimberly Best, RN, MA pointed out to me.
Instead, unlearning is about consciously choosing to detach from old knowledge that no longer serves you.
How to Shift Your Mindset from "Old" to "New"
Unlearning can be difficult because it shakes our sense of safety and identity and can bring up fears of the unknown. Start by recognizing and accepting that some of your current beliefs are ineffective or irrelevant.
Question your current beliefs and practices: “Ask yourself, ‘Is this belief true?’ and ‘Is this belief even mine?’ We take all our stories about ourselves as true, but they are simply beliefs we hold that can be shifted. When we begin to question what we think and feel, we discover.” - Linda M. Perry, Mindset Coach & Business Strategist.
Seek out new perspectives: “Intentionally get out of your echo chamber and familiar environments to diversify your information and data inputs.” - Sara Lobkovich, Career Fulfillment Coach.
Experiment: “Put yourself in uncomfortable situations and test what you've unlearned.” - Amanda Hazer, Elite Athlete Transitions + Executive Coach.
Unlearning allows you to become more adaptable and better equipped to handle the fast-paced changes in the job market.
Why the "Old" is Going Away for Good
The old ways of thinking are becoming obsolete because the world is changing faster than ever.
Here are a few reasons why the old is on its way out:
AI's Impact: AI is overtaking current job roles. The McKinsey Global Institute report is predicting significant career changes due to digitization, robotics, and AI advancements.
Evolving Job Market: Many traditional career paths are collapsing, and new, more dynamic roles are emerging. (Harvard Business Review)
Cultural Shifts: Societal values are changing, with increased emphasis on work-life balance, remote work, and flexible schedules. (Harvard Business Review)
Unlearning isn’t just a trendy concept. It's a powerful tool for your career toolkit. Letting go of old beliefs and accepting fresh perspectives allows you to handle today's job market better. This practice helps you discover new opportunities and create a career that truly showcases your potential.