If you are in a job that sucks all the joy out of your day then chances are you can be feeling tired, demotivated and plain miserable. Hating your job can literally throw you off balance in terms of your health, relationships and wellbeing.
When I work with clients looking to career transition, I invite them to do a temperament/personality test. I highly recommend Keirsey.com, which will give you a free temperament report to check if you’re suited to your current career path.
If the Keirsey.com report reveals that you are not well matched, in other words “It’s not you (job), it’s me!” don’t despair. Glad you found out now. Here’s a few helpful hints to get you started.
Firstly get informed! Start your career planning by Googling the careers outlined in the Keirsey report, do share your thoughts with trusted colleagues, and consider joining network groups like Super Chicks and BNI for support and inspiration.
Secondly, you will need to weight up all the costs and benefits of leaving your current job role, organization or industry, before you take the plunge. Be very clear on your vision in order to create a “career leap” strategy, and work out some timeframes that will synchronize with your current work-life balance needs.
Finally, don’t undervalue yourself and dismiss what you have already achieved. Your many skills and work experiences are transferable, and will be valued by other industries.
On the other hand, if you resonate with your career path, but you find yourself watching the clock, try making little changes in your present role. Take the initiative by seeking opportunities to improve your skills or develop new ones. Why not fix a potential work place problem or ask to be given more responsibility and/or challenges. That way you will shine for that next promotion.
Keep proactive but also positive. If you think about what you “like” doing, then you will see all sorts of opportunities to help you create it. In cognitive psychology it’s referred to as selective attention, i.e. a cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment whilst ignoring other things. For example, if I said focus on the colour red for the next 3 hours, you will be surprised at all sorts of things, plants and animals starting to catch your eye.
You’re doing it now, aren’t you? See it works! So start planning and focusing on what you really want from your career.
