Feeling Stuck in Your Career? A 4-Part Series of Exploration
At times, our careers, which once felt exciting and purposeful, can start to feel stagnant. This sense of dissatisfaction may appear slowly or suddenly, but knowing when to consider a new path can be challenging. Let’s explore some signs that it may be time for a change and ways you can start discovering a fulfilling direction.
1. Recognizing the Symptoms of Job Dissatisfaction
If your job feels increasingly exhausting or you’re consistently unhappy, take note. Here are some common signs that can signal a disconnect:
Constant Exhaustion: Feeling drained even after a good night’s sleep or a weekend off can indicate burnout.
Irritability and Low Motivation: If projects you once enjoyed no longer excite you, your engagement may have waned.
Loss of Productivity: When enthusiasm drops, so does productivity, often leading to procrastination and stress.
By being mindful of these symptoms, you can better understand if they stem from burnout, misalignment with values, or another issue.
2. Assessing Your Life Goals and Core Values
If your career goals don’t match your values, dissatisfaction can build. Start by asking yourself these questions:
Do my daily tasks align with what’s important to me?
How does my role affect my overall well-being?
Are my contributions meaningful to me?
When you find your values out of alignment, it’s natural to consider a different path.
3. Taking Small Action Steps Toward Change
Taking action, even small steps, can make a big difference. Here are some ideas:
Set Aside Weekly Reflection Time: Take 15 minutes each week to reflect on what brings you joy or frustration at work.
Seek Feedback: Talk to colleagues or mentors for an outside perspective on your strengths and areas of interest.
Experiment with Career Exploration Exercises: Consider keeping a journal where you explore career aspirations or roadblocks.
4. How Therapy Can Support Your Exploration
Sometimes, job dissatisfaction is more complicated than it appears. I work with clients using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help align their values with their career, making each step clearer. Brainspotting can address underlying fears, like fear of failure or change, to make transitions smoother and more manageable. Together, we can explore your current challenges and work toward meaningful change, clarifying the steps ahead.
Taking time to listen to yourself can be a powerful tool in career exploration. The journey toward finding fulfilling work is unique to each individual, and therapy can help make that journey more manageable.
