Career Discomfort And Finding Fulfillment

Are you frustrated with your career or seeking greater fulfillment, but not sure what to do about it? In everyone’s professional life, there will come a time when you will feel like the work you do no longer matches who you are and how you want to use your time, talents and energy.

Whether you’re the breakout star at work or the experienced professional who could run your organization in your sleep, we all hit this moment -- and it’s uncomfortable!

The problem comes when we misdiagnose the source of our career discomfort, and as a result make a rash decision to leave too quickly or a fear-laden decision to keep trying at a career that no longer lights our fire.

You’re an UPLEVELER if…

You’re ready for more! You are a solid contributor to your team and organization. You have demonstrated time and again that you can do the work and get results. You are likely an early career or mid career professional who has done all the right things, yet has begun to plateau.

You often feel like work has become monotonous and routine, and you crave a new challenge. You may feel like your work has gone unrecognized, and now it’s time for greater visibility, a better position, and a pay increase to match your contributions.

What’s next?

No more playing it safe or staying comfortable in a well-paying but unfulfilling job. It’s time to take your rightful place, take charge of your career, and be the leader you really are. Because you are already a high contributor in your organization, it may be time to reinvent yourself. Seek out mentors or advocates to help you evaluate your options, upgrade your professional presence both online and in the workplace, and refer you for next-level opportunities.

Your next-level career move may include applying for a more advanced role at your current organization or exploring lateral opportunities with a new team or new organization. Another option may be to remain in your current role, but release monotonous or junior-level tasks for ones that are more commensurate with your skills, experience, and growing seniority.

Either way you have options. It’s time to level up!

You’re a CHANGE AGENT if…

Change is overdue! The work that once excited and energized you has lost its luster. Work as you know it has become routine and uninspiring. You no longer feel like the work you do aligns with who you are and what’s most important to you. It may be time for a new career.

For early career professionals, as you get further into your career, you may realize that it’s not what you expected when you first started out. If you are a mid-career professional, you may feel overwhelmed by work as your managers pile on more and more responsibilities because they know you can be trusted to deliver.

Either way, something has to give. You desire to be fulfilled by your work. Depending on your personal trajectory, it may be time to consider a new line of work (a new career) or a shift to a different sector.

What’s Next?

Switching careers can feel downright unsettling and scary. You may feel like something is wrong with you. There is nothing wrong with you. You are growing. Perhaps your intuition is letting you know you’re ready for a new environment, a new challenge, or greater alignment between who you are and how you work.

There is no pressure to leap into a new career or job. Instead, you would benefit from a thoughtful process of self rediscovery, career exploration, mentorship, and upgrading your professional image and job materials to determine the career direction that’s better suited for you. As your professional goals evolve, reintroduce yourself to your existing professional networks and cultivate new professional relationships around your new areas of interest.

Give yourself permission to explore and experiment.

You’re a FREEDOM SEEKER if…

It’s time to soar! You are likely a mid-career or executive-level professional who has stellar experience and career highlights. Unlike the other profiles, you are in stride in your career. You enjoy the work you do and your career and life are mostly aligned. Your restlessness comes from your desire to go beyond the box and expand your impact and influence. You don’t need to leave your day job, but it is likely time to free yourself up to explore new projects and leadership roles outside of your 9-5.

You may be ready to leverage your expertise in new ways outside of your day job, pursuing projects that allow you to express a broader range of your skills and interests that don’t fit neatly into your current job. Some Freedom Seekers may be ready to build a bridge from their day job to entrepreneurship or side business that will later become your primary gig. You likely feel the tug that it’s time to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field, and not limit yourself to leadership at the office.

What’s Next?

You likely have ideas about launching personal projects like speaking, consulting, book writing, creative work, a leadership role like board membership, or expanding your career internationally. You want to make space for these projects, but as a busy professional and leader, the demands of work, home and volunteerism seem to leave little time for personal pursuits.

To achieve the professional freedom and creativity you desire, you must learn to reset your priorities, your schedule, and your boundaries to make space for yourself. Similarly, you may benefit from upgrading your professional profile -- your mindset, image, comportment, leadership, network, and online presence -- to attract your next-level professional opportunity.

Now that you see where you are stuck based on your particular career situation you can take practical next steps to gain greater fulfillment from your career and life.