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Is it possible to change your career to one you can really love? Could you ever wake up on a Monday morning and find that you WANT to go to work?
A recent US survey revealed that more than 50% of workers are not happy with their current career. The reasons for this may be various; some people may not be happy with the conditions at their workplace, or they might not like their rate of pay, their co-workers, their boss etc. All or some of these things can affect job satisfaction.
In some cases, it might be that a change in pay, or recognition for a job well done, might be all that's needed to improve the situation.
However, there are many people who just hate their work overall. Their daily tasks may be boring, too challenging, not challenging enough, unpleasant or just don't fit in with their interests, values and enthusiasms.
The only way these people will be happy with their job is if they do something completely different, and change their career.
Why is it that so many of us end up in jobs that we do not like? The answer is something to do with the kind of questions you ask yourself when you make your career choice.
Did you ask yourself what you WANT to do, or did you ask yourself what would please your parents, your teachers, your peers; or what would make the most money; or did you not even ask yourself any questions at all?
Believe it or not, the only thing that prevents you from having a career you love is YOU!
There may be all kinds of reasons why you are in the job you are in but the fact remains that you chose it. Perhaps you were prepared to take an easy way out, or accept second best, or perhaps it seemed like a good idea at the time. Whatever your reasons, you chose it, and that means you can make a different choice.
It is such a shame to spend most of your days in a job you hate! Even when you are not physically at work, you spend a lot of your time travelling to and from work - and perhaps a lot of time and energy worrying about it or dreading it.
Your work affects all other aspects of your life - your health, your family, your finances, your self esteem, your friendships etc. If you feel negatively about it, this will throw a shadow on everything else.
Choosing a career should not be something that we do carelessly, or to please other people, or just because that's what you can do. Choosing career involves some self investigation and serious research.
The first step is one of self-discovery. Ask yourself the following questions:
• What do I like doing? What do I dislike doing?
• What am I good at? What am I not so good at?
• What have I achieved so far? What would I like to achieve in the future?
• What are my interests, values and attitudes?
Many people find this self-questioning very difficult. However, only a thorough and honest self-assessment can work if you want to make the right choice and find a career you will love.
Once you have answered these questions about yourself, you will be armed with the information you need to investigate the career areas that are most suited to you - and, just as importantly, those that are not suited to you.
Your next step will be to list careers that will fit in with those answers you made to the questions above.
Once you have this list, you need to find out the following:
• What training, if any, is required?
• Where can you do it?
• What duties/tasks are involved in the job?
• What hours will I work?
• How will it impact on my lifestyle?
• What companies offer work in this field?
• What opportunities are available for future advancement?
There may be some challenging questions and issues that will be raised and will need some careful thought.
For example, you might discover that you need to do a three-year training course in a different town. Would you be prepared to move? How would you support yourself? These need not be reasons to stop you if you have truly found a career you love. They may be just issues that need careful discussion and solution finding.
If you want something strongly enough, you need to make a commitment and stick to it. This means finding ways of getting round any obstacles that seem to be in your way, and not allowing them to be excuses for not taking action.
Some people may give up chasing a career they might love. Taking the path of least resistance can seem like the easiest option. But are you going to give up on yourself?
Or are you going to change your career to one that you love? Have a life that you love?
It's your choice.
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