I wasn't ready when I walked away from my career in clinical research

Liz Barry
Sep 4
2 min read

How long have you been waiting to feel “ready” before making a career change?

I still remember the moment I decided to walk away from clinical research.

On paper, it made no sense. I had the degree. The steady paycheck. The fringe benefits. The approval of others.

Inside though, I knew I was done.

The problem? I didn't feel ready for what came next. I didn't have a perfect plan mapped out. I just had a nagging voice telling me it was time.

Taking that first step—sending one email, making one call—set everything else in motion.

Start Before You're Ready.

It's tempting to wait until the “right” moment in your career:

- Wait until the job market improves.

- Wait until I've finished this qualification.

- Wait until I feel more confident.

It's also easy to get stuck in endless research. Research feels productive—but often it's just a sophisticated way of procrastinating.

The truth? The “Start Before You're Ready” strategy means exactly what it says. Stop thinking, start doing. Make a move—any move. Even the smallest step will take you closer to your goal.

One of the greatest regrets of the dying is that they didn't live for themselves enough. They stayed in the comfort zone—where life felt safe, predictable, familiar. But careers (and lives) don't transform in the comfort zone.

Real change happens in the growth zone. That's where you take on challenges, try new things, and push beyond what feels “ready.” Yes, it can be uncomfortable. But it's also where resilience, confidence, and fulfillment grow.

Here's the secret: you already have the guts to make this change. You might not think so—but I promise, you do.

That's why Start Before You're Ready is an entire module inside my Become Your Own Pathfinder program. Because until you practice this skill, you'll keep waiting for the perfect conditions—conditions that never arrive.

What's the one thing you've been putting off in your career because you're waiting to 'feel ready'?

Rooting for your next step,

xo Liz

P.S. And if you’d like a proven framework to help guide you there, that’s exactly what my program Become Your Own Pathfinder was designed to do. Check it out here

P.P.S. - If you're feeling lost in your career, wondering what’s next, or questioning what truly lights you up, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

That’s why I created Make Your Next Career Move Count—a free ebook to guide you through the exact process I used to find clarity and build a fulfilling career using the most effective path to career change:

✅ Soul Search – Uncover what truly matters to you

✅ Research – Explore possibilities that align with your interests, strengths and values

✅ Job Search – Take confident steps toward work that excites you