Ever find yourself wondering if the grass is truly greener on the other side?

Should I stay in my current job?

I don't love it, but it's not terrible …🤔

Or

Should I look for something else that feels right for me?

A job I'll love!

And

If I decide to look for something else, where do I start?

This was me for many years and maybe this is where your thinking goes?

Here I discuss the experience of career limbo and what you can do about it.

You'll learn how to assess your current situation and how to begin figuring out your next move.

Understanding the Challenge

It seems straightforward, but deciding your next career step is surprisingly challenging.

There are many reasons for this:

• Our educations system doesn't prepare us to make effective career choices.

• We haven't thought through the options fully.

• What we think we want and what we enjoy often don't match up

• We diminish the intrinsic values of work in favour of the extrinsic values.

This all means we get stuck in our careers.

We think that maybe what we're doing isn't right for us but we're not sure what we should do next.

It all gets a bit confusing.

And, knowing what you don't want is not the same as knowing what you do want.

Evaluate your current situation.

Specifically, your current role, organisation, and industry.

Here’s how to do that:

Evaluating Your Role:

You’re looking to answer this question: Does This Role Feel Like a Good Fit for Me?

Reflect on Your Daily Tasks:

Do they align with your strengths and interests?

Are you often engaged and motivated, or do you find yourself watching the clock, waiting for the day to end?

Assess Growth Opportunities:

Think about the potential for personal and professional growth in your role.

Are there opportunities for advancement or new skills development, or do you feel stagnant?

Consider the Impact:

Reflect on the impact of your work.

Does your role allow you to make a meaningful contribution, or do you question the value of your efforts?

Evaluating Your Organisation:

You’re looking to answer this question: Does This Company Seem Like a Good Fit for Me?

Align with Values and Culture:

Do you feel a sense of belonging and support, or is there a misalignment that affects your job satisfaction?

Evaluate Support and Recognition:

Consider how the organisation supports your development and recognises your contributions.

Are your efforts appreciated, and do you feel valued by your team and leaders?

Review Stability and Prospects:

Think about the company’s stability and prospects.

Is it on a growth trajectory that excites you, or are there concerns that create uncertainty about your future there?

Evaluating Your Industry:

You’re looking to answer this question: Does This Industry Feel Like a Good Fit for Me?

Industry Interest:

Is it a field that genuinely interests you, or have you found yourself in this industry by chance?

Industry Health and Trends:

Look at the current health and future trends of the industry.

Is it growing, innovating, and offering opportunities, or is it in decline or facing significant challenges?

Alignment with Long-term Goals:

Consider how well the industry aligns with your long-term career aspirations.

Does it offer a pathway to reach your ultimate career goals, or does it feel like a detour?

Creating a Plan of Action

After evaluating the fit across these three dimensions, you'll have a clearer understanding of where you stand.

If you find misalignments in any area, it may be an indicator that it's time to consider making a move.

Conversely, identifying areas of strong fit can reveal opportunities to enhance your current situation without necessarily leaving.

For Misalignments:

Develop a strategy for transitioning to a role, organisation, or industry that better aligns with your values, interests, and career goals.

This may involve networking, skills development, or seeking the guidance of a career coach.

For Strong Fits:

Explore ways to deepen your engagement and satisfaction in your current position.

This could include seeking new projects, requesting feedback for growth, or negotiating aspects of your role to better suit your strengths.

This structured evaluation can provide you with the clarity needed to make an informed decision.

It can help you to decide whether you should stay or whether you should go.

Common Questions

Working out whether you should stay or go can lead to lots of questions.

Let me address some of the most common concerns you might have and dispel the myths that might be holding you back:

Isn't it too risky to change careers now?

A: Changing careers does involve risk, but staying in a role that no longer fulfils you carries its own risks, including stagnation, loss of motivation, and even burnout.

Remember, the risk of not making a change is continuing in a career that doesn't bring you satisfaction or growth.

How do I know if I'm making the right decision?

A: Deciding to change careers is a significant decision and it's natural to seek reassurance that you're making the right choice. Working with a career coach can help here.

A coach can help you to assess your skills, interests, and values, aligning them with potential career paths. They can also provide objective feedback and support you through the decision-making process, helping to boost your confidence in your choice.

What if I fail?

A: The possibility of failure is a common fear when considering a career change. However, it's important to reframe how you view failure. Every career move, successful or not, provides valuable lessons and experiences. These can clarify what you truly want in your career, teach you new skills, and even open unexpected opportunities.

Embrace the mindset that there is no failure, only feedback. Each step, regardless of the outcome, is a building block in your career journey. The greatest growth often comes from overcoming challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone.

How do I know if my dissatisfaction is just a temporary feeling or a sign that I need to leave?

A: How long have you felt unhappy at work? If this has lasted for an extended period, and if conversations with your manager haven’t led to meaningful change, it might be more than a temporary slump. Consider what aspects of your role or company culture contribute to these feelings and whether they're likely to improve.

Is it worth staying in a job if I enjoy the work but don't see eye to eye with the company's culture or values?

A: Alignment with your company’s culture and values is important for long-term job satisfaction and mental health. If the misalignment is causing you stress or making you question your place within the organisation, it might be time to look for a company whose values more closely match your own.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to stay in your current role or look at a new career path is a significant crossroads many of us face.

Through assessing your role, organisation, and industry, you gain clarity on whether your current position aligns with your personal and professional aspirations.

Remember this is an opportunity for personal growth and finding work that truly resonates with you.

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Whether you’re leaning towards staying, considering a leap, or simply seeking clarity on your next move, book a call with me today and let's navigate your career transformation together.