What will you do if you don’t like your job?
Many people are not fulfilled or satisfied with their work. Their feelings range from being depressed, bored, lethargic, and apathetic, to being unchallenged, stressed, or overwhelmed. They may feel trapped by their career choices and stuck in a line of work they dislike. Why do people feel stuck in their careers? I think the reasons are:
(1) Fears
Common fears that prevent people from changing careers are:
(a) feeling that they lack experience in their desired field
(b) thinking they cannot fulfill their financial obligations
(c) thinking they are too old to change careers
(d) feeling that they lack the motivation or energy to change.
(2) Biases
Many people have omission bias. In other words, they tend to feel greater regret for acts of commission (what they did or changed) than for acts of omission (what they did not do or change). Omission biases usually support the status quo, an irrational behavior to change. When thinking of a change, people are more likely to attend to the risk of changing than to the risk of failing to change. This phenomenon explains why it may be easier to continue doing work that is not enjoyable or satisfying, than to make a career change.
What will you do if you are not satisfied with you work? What distinguishes you from them?
In my opinion, I think one of the greatest decisions you can make is to find the right work that makes you satisfied, fulfilled and happy. What distinguishes you from others is that you make a choice to change despite fears and biases.
What Is Your Work Situation?
1. Seeking fulfillment.
People in this situation are seeking a new kind of reward and satisfaction. They may want personal fulfillment or be driven by a strong desire to help others.
2. Working to live.
These people are successful in their work, they cannot conceive of staying in the same job for another 10 or 20 years. Yet, they probably still want to continue earning at the same level.
3. Feeling hurt.
These individuals are victims of the changing workplace. They have had bad experiences such as being laid off or discriminated against, but still need to work.
4. Making a change.
These people who have worked hard for years want to make a change because they are bored and seek new challenges.
5. Longing to be on your own.
These people dream of being on their own or starting a company.
6. Exploring new paths.
Baby boomers who want to semi-retire or retire are asking what they should do next to find fulfillment and satisfaction.
Action Plan
Talk with a career counselor about your work situation and have a complete assessment done. Career assessment helps you better understand yourself and recognize what kind of work is meaningful and fulfilling to you. It also help you figure out what matters most to you. Make changes to create what is missing in your current situation. You should do the following steps to find a fulfilling job:
Step 1 -Learn about yourself.
Learn and understand your values, interests, preferences, attitudes, and favorable skills. By using information from the career assessment as a foundation, you will be able to modify your career goals.
Step 2 – Create an action plan.
Focus your career goals and prepare an action plan to map out a new career.
Step 3 – Explore roadblocks and opportunities.
Identify what is holding you back and find ways to get around the roadblocks. Explore your opportunities and implement your plan.