Do You Like Your Job – Are You Thinking About Changing Careers?

Do You Like Your Job – Are You Thinking About Changing Careers?

At some point in their lives, many people think about changing careers. Depending upon what stage of life you are at, the choice of changing careers can be frightening.

Some of the many questions people ask themselves are;

• Do I like my current job?

• Can I still see myself doing this job in 10 or 20 years? Or when I am 5-60 years old?

• How do I pick a career that actually suits me?

• How do I make positive decisions about my career?

Choosing a Career

This post is for any and all people who are still uncertain about their career choices. This includes those who are;

• At the beginning of their working life and yet to kickstart their career.

• Have a job but are still unsure of what they would really like to do.

• Currently in the middle of their career path, but still wonder if this is the right path.

As per the 2024 Seek Survey only 55% of working Australians like their jobs. That figure rises to 61% when looking at boomers, and dips to 50% for Gen Z.

One third of our life is spent at work so it’s safe to say your job can make a huge impact on your quality of life.

So how do we choose our career? According to Tim Urban from “ Wait But Why” we each have our own personal ‘yearning octopus’ in our heads.

The specifics of each person’s octopus will vary, but we all have career expectations and aspirations that take us to different directions. Often these conflict with each other.

And if that weren’t enough, you sometimes have furious internal conflict inside a single yearning. For example; in your desire to pursue your passion you might struggle to determine what you are truly most passionate about.

My Personal Octopus

My life has been filled with adventures and new beginnings. Having lived in different countries and states, I changed my career quite a few times. Each change brought new skills, learning different languages and finding opportunities to move forward and grow.

I believe that I could be sent to any place in the world and I would find a new path and make some friends. My career choices were mostly practical; targeting lifestyle, based on flexibility and freedom.

I started questioning myself a long time ago when my job satisfaction dramatically declined after our small company was merged with a much larger one and the work culture completely changed. This significant change led me to re-evaluate my career and priorities.

• I while back I was listening to a TED talk about career and the presenter asked these questions:

• If you could do anything, what would it be?

• What are the skills you constantly use in everything that you end up doing? These will be your strengths, your story and your patch to success.

I took the opportunity and questioned myself about what I really wanted, and these are the answers that sprung from my reflection:

• I want to transform lives and help people.

• I want to work less and take the time to enjoy my journey.

• I want flexibility and freedom.

These questions can help you start to explore your own octopus. How do your goals fit? Do they conflict? What is the conflict and how might you resolve them so you can move forward?

Taking the leap to a new career

I believe that changing jobs can be a strength especially in this changing world and an asset in your professional development. It can show that you are flexible, adaptable and resilient and that you have creative problem-solving abilities.

Your career doesn’t have to stand on its own, it can be viewed as a beautiful collage you are creating. Five to seven career changes in a lifetime is the new average for Australians so, if your current path is not fulfilling, why wait?

But where to start?

For me the change started when I spoke with a friend who was studying to be a transformation coach and training consultant and her job was really intriguing for me. I asked her why she chosen this path and if she could do anything what would it be? She is turn guided me through questions that helped me find my path.

Our life offers us many opportunities to help us to enhance our potential and evolve. Let’s explore your choices and have the courage to step out and move on. Let us to discover the many colours of life!

Contact Me for a Free 15-minute chat about your career path.