IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU...
If nothing seems to work, it could be time to move on. But before you leave, consider this...
1 WHERE IS THE PAIN ROOTED?
Is it in the job itself, the people or the sector/industry? If it’s the former, use tips 1 and 2 to explore positions that include more tasks which get your heart racing and utilise your strengths. If it’s the people, assess what kind of colleagues you would like to engage with, and look for a company with a work culture that seems to correspond to that. If it’s the sector or industry, then perhaps you don’t believe in what you’re creating, or you constantly feel like you’re battling against your values. Look at how you might be able to apply your skills to a new area that excites you.
2 TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
I advise against taking any big leaps – either to a different industry or to start your own business – without testing the waters first, while continuing in your current role. Spend some time investigating, whether that’s through research, meeting people for coffee or completing mini internships using your annual leave. If you have a few potential options, spend a month exploring each and see what you learn. Live it and breathe it before you make the jump.
3 SELF-ANALYSE
Continually try to get to the root of who you are – your strengths, skills, passions and values. There are plenty of quizzes in the book to help get you started. The more you understand yourself, the more you’ll be able to discover what will make you happy.
4 KEEP ASKING WHY
Why, for example, do you want to move into law? Is it because you’re passionate about justice? Is it because you like the sound of saying, ‘I’m a lawyer’? Keep asking yourself why, why, why: assess your own motivations and think about what success looks like to you, not just what it looks like to other people. Remember, success is nothing without happiness.