Knowing When to Give Up - 4 Signs It's Time to Change Your Career
It's easy to feel trapped in a career when you convince yourself that there is no other alternative - or the idea of "change" on scares you.
It is important to get real with yourself and to come to terms with any fears you might have about "giving up," if you want to start feeling good about your work. We ask ourselves if we are simply giving up because we feel defeated or if we truly no longer enjoy the work to a point that it is affecting our happiness.
Knowing when to give up and to move on is imperative to your growth. Here are 4 important signs it's time to change your career
(1) Your Physical Condition is Being Affected
When your body is sending messages of pain, discomfort or causing negative health issues, don't ignore it. Listen to your body and plan ahead before the condition gets worse. Putting your health and physical well-being on the line does not serve you right now nor will it serve you in the years to come.
(2) You Strongly Feel That Your Talents & Skills Can Be Used More Effectively
You're constantly thinking about how you want to express a part of yourself that you are not expressing right now at work. The tasks that once excited you no longer make you feel good - or alive. As the years pass, we may develop new desires, a new set of values or the things that fulfill us simply may have transformed. Since we are always evolving, we need to check-in and ask ourselves if we feel like our work still represents the best of us and what we are truly capable of.
(3) Your Mood & Attitude at Home is Being Affected, Negatively.
Take note of how your work is affecting you at home. It's normal for you to be on edge, have low energy and to be less patient when you are unhappy about something, including your work. What's not normal is carrying on that attitude to a point where your relationships are now being negatively affected. Holding on to a job that kills your spirit does not serve you or anyone close to you.
(4) Your Salary No Longer Motivates You to Get Out of Bed
Some of us pursue a career that motivates us by the financial benefit, more than the work itself. When this happens and your values and your needs start to take on a new shape, your salary may no longer motivate you to get out of bed. This happens when you start to feel like something is missing from your work and you realize that the amount of money you are making isn't as important as filling the void. You know what they say, "Money Can't Buy Happiness."
As soon as you can come to terms with your current condition and realize that anything worth having is worth fighting for, take note of the next steps you can take to set yourself up for a smooth transition.
GET CLARITY & BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
Be true to yourself when assessing your current state in you career. Only you have the answers that can lead you to undeniable bliss. Make a list of the Pros & Cons of staying in your career. Ask yourself if you've listed anything that might be fear-based. For example, one of your CONS might be, "Mortgage, bills, etc. that need to be taken care of," and you are afraid that changing your career will affect your ability to make those payments.
Side note: anything on your list that is fear-based will keep you in the same place, the safety-zone. Keep in mind that true happiness also comes from stepping outside the box. Ask yourself, what's the worst thing that can happen?
ASSESS THE SKILLS YOU NEED
Understanding the skills you need to embark a new chapter or an exciting new endeavour will give you the confidence you need to take the leap. You may come to learn that you have most of the skills it takes to make the change and the good news is, the ones you don't have, can be developed.
WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES
Decide what your true values are based on where you are in your life. What you value most will help you to determine if where you are right now in your career is aligned with those particular values.
If you are looking at other opportunities, make sure that you do this check-in as well so that you are guided by your core values. When you are pursuing something that has a positive impact on your authentic values, you will live a more joyful, more fulfilling life.
Not sure what your true values are? Click here to find a list of values. Write down your 10 core values and shape the vision of your life around them.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS
Changing careers or starting your own business is never easy. Taking time to look at all of your options from, who can support you as you make this transition, what else is out there that aligns with your skills & values, and how can you move things around to obtain the satisfaction you're craving from the kind of work you do.
Making a list of your options will give you the confidence and optimism you need to make any big change like this. Through this process, most people realize that there are an unlimited number of options available. If we only took the time to realize what that could look like, more people would develop the courage to "give up."
TAKE THE PLUNGE
Nothing is scarier than jumping head first into the unknown. The question you want to ask yourself is if the fear of the unknown is scarier than the idea of choosing to live the only life we have in complete misery and contempt. Most people will choose the latter - but only some of you will take the plunge. Overthinking the process will only weigh you down. Get the support you need to live the life you deserve.
The best way to "figure things out" as you make this BIG transition is to simply make a decision. Decide that you want more for yourself. Make the decision to start living. Then, take the plunge and don't look back!
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My name is Genicca Whitney and I am on a mission to empower your wildest dreams into inspired action. If you are prepared to fire up your passion for success and looking for juicy + soulful tools that will magnify your desires, make sure to visit www.genicca.com!