Is it me or my job? How to know if it’s time to change jobs, or just change habits

For anyone who doesn't like their job but doesn't know what else to do or where to start

Most people I talk to these days tell me a similar story: I’m thinking about quitting my job, I’m thinking about starting a side-hustle, I’m thinking about going back to school, I’m thinking about becoming a software engineer, therapist, esthetician, _________. 

Maybe it’s because I turned 30 last year, maybe it’s a post-COVID world, whatever it is I feel it too. We’ve stepped back and see that our life has shifted, we’ve grown and our current job just isn’t working for us anymore.

A shared realization that the job you have is no longer the job you want.

So if you’re questioning your career path in any way, shape or form, here are a few prompts that will help you figure out of it’s you, or if it’s your job:

Take an honest look at your situation

Step back and evaluate your current job situation objectively. Consider your emotional, mental and economic well being:

• Are you consistently feeling unfulfilled at work?

• Do you dread going to work every day?

• Do you disassociate and tell yourself “it’s not that bad”?

• Do you daydream about having a different career?

• Are you unable to afford the lifestyle you want following this path?

The answers are not always black and white, but if any of these resonate with you, don’t ignore that. Follow those inklings and figure out why any of these are true. Is it a specific co-worker? Is it the commute? Is it not having time for hobbies? Are you making assumptions? Being to hard on yourself? Zero in on the causes, no matter how small.

Re-establish your values and goals

Consider your core values and long-term career goals, they’ve probably changed over the past few years.

• Are you okay with the company culture and values of your current job?

• Does your job provide opportunities for growth in line with your career aspirations? 

• Does your job help or hinder your life goals outside of a career?

• If you were to keep moving up, do you want the lifestyle that your boss has?

• Do you want to find purpose in your job, or just show up for a paycheck?

Chances are, at some point you’ll outgrow your role at a company. Comparing your current values and goals against the company will help you determine if they have the capacity to grow with you, or if it’s time to move on.

Remember a job is just a means to an end… the end being you living the life you want and enjoying it.

Learn what you can and can’t control

Often we tend to take our workplace at face value. But especially as you grow in your career, don’t be afraid to ask, and even push for what you want. Companies are made up of people just like you.

• Have you asked your manager for what you want changed in your workplace?

• Are there resources or policies your company offers that you haven’t taken advantage of?

• Are you taking all your vacation days, especially if you have “unlimited PTO”?

• Are you giving too much to your company and expecting too much in return?

Take inventory of what patterns or assumptions you might be unnecessarily holding on to, and what is truly out of your control. Especially if you’re thinking about leaving a company anyway, try asking for what you want: work from home, summer Fridays off, a retention bonus, 4 hour work days. There’s no harm in asking, at minimum it’ll force you to identify what’s important to you.

Start exploring options, not just jobs

Even if you’re content with your job, browse what else is out there. It can be as casual or serious as you make it. It’ll help you by either reinforcing that the path you’re on is the path you want, or it’ll open our eyes to new opportunities. And don’t just look for other jobs to replace yours, think about structure of your career.

• Get your own clients and go independent

• Keep your job and start a side-hustle

• Stay in the same industry but try a new role

• Keep the same role, but at a new company

• Go back to school to start a whole new career

• Get an easy hourly job while you figure it out

There’s more career paths out there than trading a 9-5 job for another 9-5. Breakout of any framework you’ve inherited and start from scratch. What would you do if you could start all over again? Answering this question helps highlight what limitations you’re putting on yourself.

Talk to others around you

Everyone who has ever worked any sort of job has, at some point, questioned their career path. Some more than others, but hearing other’s stories and sharing your own process is more valuable than you think. It’s an easy topic to work into almost any conversation, personal or professional.

A quick “how did you end up doing _____” or “have you always wanted to do ______” is enough to get others to share insights, perspective, and advice that can help you navigate your own career path by seeing what other journeys look like.

If you want formal guidance, find a trusted mentor or career coach by asking your network or searching online, ex: gettostaff.com/coaching for software engineers. 

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It's okay to feel unsatisfied with your job. Digging deep to figure out why you’re unsatisfied will unlock the steps to change that.

It could be your workplace, or it could be you’re stuck old habits… or some combination of both. So listen to your intuition, reflect on what really matters to you, explore your options, and trust yourself.

Remember, the best career path is the one that allows you to live the life you want, so lead with knowing the life you want.

Want more actionable steps?
Get started with a career personality quiz
Check out thecareernavi.com for career guidance that comes to you

🐮🌙

Calli

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