Suffering ennui at work? Marcella Bidinost identifies the tell-tale signs you're over your job, and how to change it.
A new year, a fresh start, and look at you go, leaping straight back
into work, right? Bzzz. Sorry, wrong. This is not the case for everyone.
If you're already staring out your workplace window, dreaming about
being anywhere but here, or looking busy only when the boss is in
range, chances are it's time to set sail.
If you need some solace on the journey, take heed: the reason 60per
cent of the 2100 job seekers surveyed by recruitment firm Hudson last
year were on the hop was because they were dissatisfied with their
present role. These days people are living and working longer and will,
on average, change careers three to five times in a lifetime, meaning
there's every chance you can reinvent your career to better match who
you are now.
"When it comes to making up our minds about our career direction, one
of the central dilemmas is that we don't trust what our minds and
hearts tell us," says careers counsellor Julie Farthing.
"Why do we stay in a job we hate? Why do we accept a career that falls
short of our own hopes and desires? Why do we listen to well-meaning but misguided advice from life partners, parents or friends (who aren't
experiencing what we experience each day and who probably can't begin
to imagine what it is like for us), instead of our own inner voice, our
own instinct, in fact our own better judgement?"
Perhaps because staying put seems easier than facing the challenges and
effort required to change. In a less-buoyant labour market, people are
feeling less in control. And then there's denial, convincing yourself
you can stick out a job for one more week, month, year, decade.
Plus
every other excuse in the book, says Ms Farthing, such as:
- It can't be that bad. It must be me, I am doing something wrong.
- I am too much of a perfectionist. After all, none of my friends or
family likes their job; having a job I love is just not something I
should reasonably expect.
- I have bills to pay, a family to feed. Leaving would be so irresponsible.
- I will leave, but now is not the time. Jobs are hard to get in my field and it will look bad on my resume if I give up.
Sound familiar?
"These are never your words; they come from that place that you might
like to call 'logic'," says Ms Farthing. "They are excuses in disguise."
Ms Farthing insists we are too bound by the belief that caution is
wisdom, that first instincts and thoughts aren't the best, and that we
don't deserve a good life.
The first step to instigating a new career is to assess your values,
interests, preferences, attitudes and favourite skills, says Peter
Carey, national president of the Career Development Association of
Australia.
"Ultimately, the right career decision for you is based on you,"
Dr Carey says. "The closer the match between your values and your job,
the happier, more productive and successful you will be.
"If you find it difficult to act on change, identify what's holding you back and learn how to get around such roadblocks."
Then, create a plan.
"While creating your plan requires time and energy, thoughtfulness and
preparation, it's a valuable tool for mapping out anew career or
revamping your goals."
The key to being in control of your career is learning career
management skills, which include self-assessment, developing a sense of
your direction, and improving your adaptability, self-esteem and
knowledge.
"Most adults with good career management skills did not learn them from
institutionalised education and training programs," says Dr Carey.
"They were fortunate enough to have family, relatives and mentors who
modelled successful life and career management skills, and encouraged,
perhaps even at times prodded, them throughout their learning process.
"The journey of career change is fascinating and eminently worthwhile.
Ultimately, it will bring you to your desired destination: satisfying
and fulfilling work."
Surely that can't be so bad.
