While some people stick to a career from the time they graduate from college until they retire, that’s not the case for everyone. You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt uninspired, unfulfilled, and unhappy with your career. It’s not worth working at a job that negatively affects your quality of life, especially given how much time you must dedicate to work.
Even still, the prospect of starting over and changing careers is enough to make anyone nervous. However, it doesn’t need to be that way if you let your passions and inspirations guide you on the journey. Follow along as we explore everything you must consider before building a career that inspires you.
4 Signs That It’s Time to Change Careers
You may not simply wake up one day and say, “It’s time to switch careers”. This may happen to some people, but this revelation often comes from weeks or months of reflection. However, many people understandably wrestle with their feelings because switching careers is a big commitment.
That’s why it’s important to put a lot of thought into your decision. Luckily, several big signs can tell you that it’s time to change direction and choose a different career, such as:
1. You Feel Unfilled
It’s much easier to feel professionally satisfied if your job fulfills you. That’s especially true if your line of work aligns with your principles, passion, and strong suits. Conversely, working a job that doesn’t align with your personality and passion can feel quite draining and even depressing.
For example, you may struggle to work a clerical office job if you have always aspired to help people or save lives. In that case, you may want to pursue nursing as a second career, which is always possible. This is just one example, but it’s essential to examine yourself and determine how your job aligns with your identity.
There’s nothing wrong with working at a job that doesn’t necessarily fulfill you. However, it’s worth exploring your options if your current job directly clashes with your principles. The less fulfilled you feel, the less likely you are to give a great performance.
2. There is No Room for Growth
Many driven professionals work hard and set goals to eventually move up the ladder at work. However, that isn’t always possible, depending on your employer and the line of work you’re in. This can be quite disheartening, especially if you didn’t realize there was no room for growth when you first took the job.
That said, some people don’t aspire to move up to higher positions, and that’s fine. Others have big aspirations and expect to eventually move up after years of dedicating time to the company. Realizing that there is no room for growth is enough to make many people explore their other options.
Whether it be another company within the same field or a new career path altogether, it’s worth considering your options. After all, nothing will likely change if you stay at a job that you know you can’t advance in. Even still, it’s worth weighing the pros and cons before making a big decision.
3. You Feel Uninspired
Work is work, but it’s still nice to enjoy it as much as possible. Not only can this improve your performance, but it can also help you avoid unnecessary stress. Conversely, feeling uninspired at work can be quite depressing and even make your professional performance suffer.
If you feel uninspired, it may simply be because you don’t feel passionate about your career. This can also happen because of workplace problems, policy changes, and personal growth. While the inspiration may come back, you must explore why you feel uninspired in the first place.
Finding the root or roots of the problem can help you understand whether or not it’s worth sticking around. For example, you may not get the inspiration back if the problems you have are due to institutional problems within your company. Regardless of the reason, it’s worth considering a second career if you are uninspired and don’t see things changing.
4. Your Job is Taking a Toll on Your Mental Health
Work takes up so much of your time that it may have a bigger impact on your mental health than many other things in your life do. While work isn’t necessarily meant to always be fun, working somewhere that actively makes you unhappy is a dark prospect. That’s especially true if the depression and anxiety you experience relate to those around you and the nature of your work.
In that case, you may not only need a change of scenery, but also a professional change. First, it’s worth considering how much your career contributes to how you feel. If a lot of your anxiety and depression comes from work, then it’s worth considering a new job.
That’s especially true if you’re experiencing burnout and your employers continually ask too much of you. Burnout is bad for your physical health, as mental and physical health are more connected than some people think. It can also negatively impact your performance, so nobody can blame you for looking into a new, healthier career path.
It’s Never Too Late to Change Careers
Some people naturally hesitate to pursue a second career, as they’ve already sunk a lot of time into their current career. However, spending more time to invest in yourself and start a new career is well worth the trouble. Doing so can make a huge difference in your mental and physical health and ultimately fulfill you.
That’s especially true if you pursue a second career that aligns with your values and continually inspires you. Not only will this make you happier, but it will also ensure you give the best possible professional performance.
