Life’s too short to do work that you don’t like.
Are you feeling stuck, restless, or unsure about what’s next in your career? Whether you’re questioning your current role, exploring a career change, or looking for more fulfillment at work, taking time to reflect on your journey can help you move forward with more confidence and clarity.
Relearning the Definition of “Fulfilling Job”
The Myth of Loving Every Minute of Your Job
This is kind of a hot button for me. We’ve told our kids that if they love their job and feel passionate about their career, they will never work a day in their lives. This is not wrong! But there is danger in this narrative. We’ve set them up for failure by thinking that their first job, second job, third job, or tenth job must be amazing every day and in every way. I meet with clients who may feel lost or that they failed because they didn’t ever find their passion.
What Fulfillment Really Looks Like
It’s okay to find a career that is pretty good, that makes the income you need to support your family. It’s great to work with kind people, in a nice culture, with a short commute, where you feel a sense of belonging and contribution. Tie your role into the mission. There’s nothing wrong with doing office work in a company that makes appliance parts. Those appliance parts make my microwave work which keeps my tea warm and me happy.
We all don’t need to find a job that saves the world. We’ve set up a false expectation that every job must feel amazing daily. Instead, a career that meets your needs—whether financial, relational, or developmental—is just as valuable.
Giving Yourself Permission to Redefine Success
That said, I want you to be in a career that is satisfying: where you feel valued, where you get to use your strengths every single day. If your job or career isn’t meeting your needs, it might be time to look for new opportunities. After all, you are at your job 40 hours a week or more! You should enjoy it most of the time.
Step 1: Reflecting on Your Journey
If you’re looking to make a career pivot, begin by taking stock of your past experiences to understand where you’ve been and how you got here. This reflection prepares you to focus on your future goals, acknowledging that the journey will include challenges and rewards.
A career is built through various jobs, each contributing unique experiences and skills, with some roles being positive and others negative. Ultimately, your career progresses through diverse roles and industries, exposing you to different people, challenges, and leadership styles.
Create a list of all your jobs from the very beginning, even if it was a newspaper route, babysitting, or scooping ice cream. Ask yourself the following questions about them:
- What did you feel confident doing?
- When did you get lost in the work and suddenly your shift was done?
- What were you the go-to person for?
- What mistakes did you make – maybe over and over again?
- If you got fired, what might be the business reason they had? (Step back away from the personal feelings.)
- If you quit, why did you?
- What do you wish you could have done more of? Less of?
- What made the time drag on and on and on and on…?
- What environments did you gravitate to? Office, clean, outside, going different places?
Step 2: Charting Your Path Forward
Your career journey is uniquely yours, and moving forward requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. Use these points to help guide you:
- Set Goals and Timelines: Define clear, actionable goals and establish a realistic timeline to guide your next steps.
- Target the Right Opportunities: Identify companies and industries that align with your background, experience, and education. These are great starting points for your search.
- Don’t overlook your current company: Talk to your manager or an HR representative and see what opportunities might be within your organization. They know your work product, see skills in you and may be able to offer you development opportunities that lead to a career that is more satisfying to you.
- Leverage Your Network: Networking is one of the most critical tools. Reach out to people in your network who can introduce you to connections at your target companies. Request informational interviews or casual meetings to gather insights.
- Close Skills Gaps: Identify any areas where you need to grow and make a plan to develop those skills.
- Talk to Trusted Advisors: Seek input from mentors, colleagues, or a career coach who can provide fresh perspectives and guidance.
- Use Career Tools: Consider taking a career interest inventory to uncover potential paths or validate your aspirations.
Your next career move doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes the best opportunities begin with asking yourself “What kind of work allows me to do my best and feel my best?” Start there and let curiosity guide the rest.
If you’re evaluating your current career path, considering a transition, or looking for greater fulfillment in your work, career coaching can provide clarity, direction, and accountability. Learn more about our career coaching services, or reach out to us here!