Stuck in your Career?
You are not alone; in fact, you are in the majority. According to the Q3 2021 JobList survey, 73% of workers are considering leaving their current job. 25% of workers currently looking for a job reported that they quit their prior job voluntarily. But no one is talking about it at work. The pandemic upended your day-to-day routine and forced you to take a step. This causes us to reevaluate our priorities. Now, everyone around you is also reevaluating their career. So what should you do about it?
I believe that you feel trapped for two primary reasons. The first is that, while you like your work and are passionate about your job, your career is not moving forward quickly, or your employer is not providing the flexibility you need to live a full, well-rounded life. If you are in this first group, consider whether “strategic patience” is warranted. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, Dorie Clark discusses how it often takes much longer than we think to build expertise, get promoted or attain virtually any significant career goal. So, if you simply want to move faster, remember to think about what it really takes to become a leader in a large organization. Wisdom and leadership qualities generally require time to develop.
The second reason you may feel stuck is that you realize your work is no longer connected to your purpose. You’re no longer passionate about what you do. If the second reason speaks to you, and feel like you are spending your days frustrated, stressed out, and ultimately not accomplishing what you want in life, then it may be time to move on.
So what’s next? I invite you to go back and examine the reasons why you took your last role. What was attractive about it? What excited you? What were you passionate about? How did your unique skillset intersect with the role responsibilities? Have the answers to those questions changed or did the work change? Look for a new role that allows you to re-connect, at least most of the time, with your passion and purpose. Your next role should make you excited to get up in the morning. It should also fully leverage your experiences and skills. The nexus of your capabilities and your purpose is likely the ideal role.
What if the next job isn’t just another job at another corporation, tech company or engineering firm? What if you are passionate about a business idea or becoming an entrepreneur? What about becoming an independent consultant within your industry and setting your own rules? Again, if the new opportunity is at the nexus of your capabilities and purpose, you may have found the right fit.
Once you identify your next opportunity, you need take a step. You don’t need to take 10 steps. But you need to take at least one. Perhaps that step is networking and interviewing, perhaps that step is building a business case for your entrepreneurial venture. For many, the financial uncertainty that comes with the next step is the biggest hurdle. You might ask: What happens if I leave my current employer? How will that effect my long-term wealth? Can I get by with less income while you build a business? We’ve worked with clients who are taking similar steps, and you can to. Financial planning isn’t just for retirement. If you’re wondering about the impact of changing jobs or starting a business, schedule a call and let us guide you through the process. Don’t let your financial situation be the reason not to take a step. Let’s get you more connected to your purpose.