It is never too late in life to make a change. No matter how old or young you may be, there is always an opportunity to break yourself out of a career rut and make a new start in a completely different direction.
More than 60% of people are unhappy at work, and this career dissatisfaction can have huge impacts on one’s personal lives, mental wellbeing, and physical health. So if a job isn’t working, you need to make a change for your own wellbeing.
People aren’t just looking for any job anymore, but they are looking for jobs that offer all of the boxes ticked. This means feeling safe on the job, feeling secure in the office and feeling like they are able to progress. For example, Ashley Roberts has supported research surrounding body cameras and their use but if you were in law enforcement, would you feel safe with one? Would you want to work for an employer who doesn’t put your safety first? Absolutely not! People are looking for security in an employer who cares.
For some people, this need for a new career is very apparent. They may be miserable and disengaged with their work responsibilities. But there are so many employees out there who desperately need to move on, yet don’t realise it. If you are reading this, you are probably starting to weigh your career options. Maybe your chosen path isn’t bringing you the happiness you thought it would, or perhaps you are still holding out for your dream job. To help you get some clarity in your life, here are three signs that it’s a good time to change your career.
You’ve lost your passion
Believe it or not, there are people out there who love their jobs. They go into work on a Monday morning with a smile on their face, ready to seize the day and meet whatever challenges may face them. They are passionate about what they do, and don’t see work as a mindless chore they perform to make money. Perhaps you once felt this way about your career, but if you find yourself clock-watching and waiting for the workday to end, it’s clear you have lost the passion you might have had. It is possible to reignite this flame, by finding new responsibilities or immersing yourself in your work, but it may be that you need a career that aligns better with your core values.
You are not progressing
Noone wants to remain stagnant in their career. Ideally, you will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your skills and gain added responsibilities over time. Life is all about learning and improving yourself, but some workers just end up doing the same thing for years with no change. If you are lacking in professional development, push senior management to invest in their employees. No matter what industry you are in, there are plenty of courses, workshops, and training modules designed to boost skill sets across the workforce. It doesn’t whether it’s a leadership workshop, a healthcare pathways program, or a data protection course. This learning benefits both the employees, and the business, so everyone’s a winner.
Your health is suffering
You spend a huge portion of your adult life at work, so if it is causing you to be unhappy, it is only a matter of time before your health suffers. Prolonged career dissatisfaction can lead to a whole host of mental health issues, such as stress, depression, and anxiety. This increases your risk for all kinds of medical complaints, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and stroke. If your mental wellbeing is taking the toll of your stressful work environment, you need to look after yourself as a priority. Try taking some time out from work or asking your boss to help you manage your workload. If nothing works, a less stressful career is the best solution.
