Make better career choices — listen to your intuition
Q: I have a long employment history and enjoy working. However, I want to look at other career options. In the past, I relied on people I knew, job postings, and family to tell me where to look for new opportunities. I just want to do something different than my last 17 years with the same company. How do you know whom to listen to when changing my career path?
A: Most of us know what it is like to have a “gut feeling” about something, especially with your career. It can be a nagging thought or idea that tends to stay with you. Some refer to this inner feeling as your intuition, a sixth sense that often takes precedence over logic.
It is a common theme among those who have changed jobs and have gone against their gut feeling only to regret it later. They describe overriding their inner voice to accept an opportunity that appeared to be the best choice.
Listening to yourself and discussing your goals with people you trust will usually give you a good direction to follow when changing paths but never discount your instinct.
The marketplace is sending mixed signals to those wanting to make a change. Should you stay or leave for a new employer is a decision only you can make, but taking the time to reflect on your feelings can reveal better decisions.
Trusting his gut reaction will never leave a job candidate who once accepted an offer based on the company’s reputation. He went through an extensive interview process with key stakeholders and team members while feeling awkward about working for the boss. He tried to convince himself that his uneasy feelings were excitement over a new opportunity, and as soon as he built a good relationship with his boss, everything would be fine. You can almost guess what happened next — he stayed with the company for six months and left. The reason was his boss. He could not communicate with him and felt a sense of dread just being around him.
Pay attention if anxiety or fear lurks around your decisions. Your uneasiness can be an indication that you are not listening to yourself.
Usually, you will have a relaxed, confident feeling if you genuinely lean on your intuition to guide you. It helps to find a quiet space to contemplate moving toward a new career path where you can concentrate and listen to your thoughts.
Become more self-aware by asking yourself questions about your uncomfortableness. What is behind the desire for a new job? Do you want to leave because others are doing so, or is this something coming from you?
Using your intuition wisely and trusting it will help you avoid career mistakes.