Have you ever been so burnt out at work and sick of all the corporate politics that you are thinking of quitting your job?
Or maybe you are only working hard enough to get a paycheck and make it to the weekend?
Week after week.
Month after month.
Year after year.
You meant well when you first accepted the career position. Now, you’re no longer sure if you’re feeling the same way.
And you’re not alone.
Some statistics say up to 85% of people hate their jobs. So, if you find yourself wondering if you should change careers, here are 4 important things to consider when changing careers.
#1: What is your ideal work situation?
Analyze your work environment. Has it changed dramatically since you accepted the position?
If this is the case, then you have to put yourself back in your life’s driver’s seat.
Make a list of the top 10 words or phrases that describe your career. You can include all the pros and cons of your job. For example, you can write how many hours you spend commuting per day, all the benefits you get, and the things that make your work extra hard.
Now, how do you feel about that list?
#2: Do your actual job duties match your personality?
There are 4 traits that make you the person you are today.
Those traits relate to your ability to interact with people, solve problems, manage day-to-day tasks, and respond to events and situations.
Here’s what you could do:
Take your list from question one and start to ask yourself which of those things match who you are.
If you don’t know where to start, I suggest taking the DISC personality profile test or a Myers-Briggs personality profile test. Once you have the results, ask yourself if your dominant personality types fit your current career.
See Also: How To Get Out Of A Career Rut
#3: What are your values, passions, and dreams?
“Always remember, you have within you, the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
Do you dream of a work-from-home position?
Well, does your current company offer that? If not, then you won’t fulfill this dream until you change careers.
Do you have a passion for achieving results but your team simply goes through the motions?
Start looking for another team to be a part of today.
Do you value work-life balance?
Take the necessary steps to see how you can create more balance in your current career. If that’s not possible, it’s probably time to change careers.
#4: Is there a paying market for your ideal career?
Honestly, I love to eat Mexican food. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to find or create a job where I can get paid well for only eating Mexican food.
Career changes are similar. Don’t just move from one thing to the next if there’s not a great paying market for you. Living on beans and rice to get by is fine for a while, but your family will need more than that.
My word of advice for those I coach is to stay at their current jobs while they look for a new one or start something that will fit them better.
So, is it time for you to change careers?
I don’t know for sure but I do believe that if you take the time to evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re headed, you’ll come to a conclusion of what’s best for you.
Don’t wait any longer trying to make your career fit you. Take action and begin finding or creating the work that you love.