Ready to Leave Your Career, Do This First

career career advice Jun 28, 2018
business woman at computer

You know when you spend your whole life, a significant amount of money, and years of education only to successfully arrive at a career you hate? Then, you wake up with dread and panic because you feel trapped by your enviable career and can't see your way out? Do you feel heart palpitations every Sunday afternoon because the thought of going to your 9-5 makes you ill?

The good news is that I've been, and you're not alone. A 2017 Gallup Poll reported that 85% of people hate their jobs and feel "emotionally disconnected from their workplace." The four main culprits often cited are (a) lack of advancement opportunities, (b) company culture, (c) being underpaid, and (d) horrible bosses and co-workers. However, for many, these are just societally acceptable excuses for, "I choose the wrong career," or "I don't know exactly what I want to do, but this ain't it."

I've Been There Too

Today I LOVE what I do. I help successful professional women transition into their life's work and unapologetically do what they're meant to do in the world. However, it didn't start that way.

Years ago, when I was in college, I struggled to decide upon a major. I changed my major, so many times my school refused to let me declare one for at least a year. That should have been my first sign. However, being raised by parents who grew up during the Great Depression, I focused on majoring in something that would help me become gainfully employed. I took a business law class in college that I loved and the rest, as they say, is history.

However, after years of school, law school loans, and taking that beast of a bar exam, I finally became a lawyer. But I was miserable and unsatisfied with that work. It was the perfect excuse to stop practicing when I moved out of state. From there, I became an organizational and management consultant. While I was pretty good at that work, it still didn't feel right. What I did enjoy, however, was education and learning. So after receiving my Ph.D. I lived in a world of academia as a professor, program director, and ultimately associate dean. But I quickly learned that while I loved academia, it was from the student side and not the faculty side. Again, I was miserable and felt trapped by the accolades, prestige, and income. Having switched careers a few times already, how could I possibly do it again?

Never Feel Trapped By a Decision You Made Years Ago

There is a quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald that has become the mantra of my life.

It's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start over.

The beautiful thing about life is that you can always start over. You never have to feel trapped by a decision you made years ago. When you look at life as a journey, everything you do is in preparation for your life's work. In fact, I believe that everything I've done in the past has prepared me for what I'm doing today. But to get to that place, you have to ask yourself some tough questions.

If you're considering making a change in your career, the first step is not to figure out what you want but to get clarity on what you don't want. 

Taking stock of the activities and environments you hate can lead you to greater clarity on the things you love. For example, what is it about your current job, career, or industry that is frustrating you? What feels like it's missing from your job? Are there things you drag your feet on or procrastinate doing? Why?

It's essential to reflect upon and ask yourself these and other questions. Just because you no longer love what you're doing doesn't mean you're not good at it. This is probably why you've stayed in your job or career for so long. However, if you don't do this work, you're more likely to convince yourself that you're just tired, need a break, or buckle down and focus on your current job or career. Remember, time is your friend, so please don't rush this process. You'll be closer to doing what you're meant to do rather than feeling trapped doing something just because you're good at it and it pays the bills.

Summary

After taking a deep look at what you don't like, you can take stock of the good stuff. People are often confusion passion for purpose. What you're passionate about and even love doing may not be what you're meant to do in this world. Focusing on what you dislike doing will keep you from making this mistake.

Are you struggling with your current job or career and want out? Do you want to discover your life's work? Then, apply to the Career Rebel Academy, and let's get started!

 

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