How To Deal With Fear Of Missing Out in The Tech Career

Many people are going into tech, and I am clueless.

What will happen to me and my career in the coming years?

Are these your thoughts?

Then this post is for you.

Anxiety, overwhelm, unease, and competitive energy are never a good state of the soul. It all results in unrest. Several things beyond our control could add to our state of turmoil; it would be unfair to let FOMO control us too.

This post will help you understand why you have FOMO, give you the information to deal with it, and guide you to be calm to get what you desire.

What Is FOMO?

FOMO is a simple acronym that means Fear Of Missing Out. The oxford language defines FOMO as anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media. It implies a feeling that individuals have that causes them to be unsettled because they are missing out on some things.

Common Experiences of FOMO That People Have In Transitioning Into Tech

1. Registering for every tech event and webinar and being unable to attend all.

2. Applying for any tech internship and boot camp without being selected.

3. Feeling inferior in your current job role because you are not yet in tech.

4. Volunteering for every tech event or initiative without getting the answers you need.

5. Panicking whenever you hear someone you know landed a tech job that pays in dollars while you are still struggling to get a paid internship.

These, amongst many others, are the FOMO experiences people have in transitioning into tech. Don't wear yourself out. If you have felt this way or any similar way, you are a human. So take a deep breath and smile. This post will take you to a better place in a bit.

If I Am Not In Tech Now, I Am Going Into Extinction

Relax! The statement above is not correct. If you are not yet in tech, you are in no way going into extinction. There are two things you must know:

1. Technology has come to elevate the quality of human life. Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life. There is a way technology can improve what you currently do. If what you currently do adds value, it's not going to go extinct; it's only going to be done better through technology. You need to know-how.

2. Technology is not ending now, and there is no deadline, so don't set any unrealistic timeline for yourself. It's supposed to be a journey. I can say that technology will still be around in 50 years, so you are not late to the party.

Let's Deal With FOMO

Let me share a few tips that can help you ditch FOMO and enjoy your current journey:

Journaling

Journaling is such a powerful way to deal with FOMO. Journaling means writing down your feelings, thoughts, and imagination to get hold and control of your emotions. Get a notepad, preferably a pen and a book, and write down how you feel.

Affirm yourself in a journal. Have conversations about why you think that way, and reflect on the awesome things you have done even in the panic of missing out. It will show how amazing you have done with missing out on those things. Everywhere is so busy, and the mind is so busy, but intentionally decide to be calm and have a quiet conversation with yourself. It helps.

Take full responsibility for the decisions you make

If you have decided to take a course or training, whether or not it was as beneficial as you presumed, don't play blame games and complain. Take responsibility to see how that bad decision can inform your next decision. Don't blame yourself at all. If you knew better, you would have done better.

Identify what gives you FOMO

It's best to observe your FOMO triggers. It could be social media. It could be talking to someone or a set of people etc. Once you know the trigger, ask yourself why that trigger affects you. Are they things you can control? Do they align with your life's dreams and aspirations? If they are things within your control, you must attend to them. Do not let things you can't control or things that do not align with your dreams live rent-free in your soul; it's time to move them out.

Don't be jealous when you see what you want happening to other people.

Be genuinely happy for them. If these people are within your reach, you can ask for their help. The next time you feel jealous, congratulate the person genuinely and ask for help.

You can't attend to everything: Events, opportunities, and trends are infinite, but time is finite. Know this and know peace. You have to understand what you need for where you are headed; not everything will take you there. It's a few things that will.

Knowledge can heal you of FOMO.

You sometimes have FOMO because you do not know what you are missing out on. Be open to research. You will find out if what has been giving you FOMO is worth it. Curiosity feeds on learning.

As I end this post while trying to get on that transition journey to tech,

1. You need to know there is a thin line between being curious and FOMO.

2. Carefully research how tech can leverage what you currently do to guide your transition.

3. Don't be unduly pressured.

4. You are not going into extinction.

It's very okay to miss out on some things because you do not need everything. Enjoy your current career, and enjoy the present even in transition.

We want to make your transition journey easier; tell us what you want to know in the comment section.