Redefine Your Career and Get Clearer on Who You Are

There may be times when you feel like you’re simply going through the motions at work. You get ready for the day, show up for work, carry out your tasks, then finish for the day and prepare to do it all over again.

In most cases, it’s normal to occasionally feel like your job is a chore. There’s no shame at all in taking on work that helps you pay the bills every month, though you recognise that it is not be your dream job. But if you continue to dread the thought of going to the work when you wake up in the morning, there might be a deeper problem you need to address. In fact it may even be possible that you are experiencing a phenomenon called a mid-career crisis.

Thoughts You May Have During a Mid-Career Crisis

When you’re at this stage, you might find yourself constantly contemplating a major change in your life. You may start thinking about how you could move up in your current career, or perhaps even changing roles within your company. Or you might be tired of what you do and want to try something new. Perhaps you’ve considered changing industries or organisations, or even quitting altogether to start your very own business.

If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, it may be time to take a step back and consider what you truly want to do with your career. However, this is much easier said than done. It can feel difficult to even imagine stepping out of your comfort zone when you’ve begun to feel boxed into your current job. You might even consider investing in career change coaching to get an outside perspective from a professional about your situation.

To really dig deep and discover (or rediscover) your true career goals, you first need to ask yourself a few questions. Keep reading for some tips to help you redefine your career and get a clearer idea of what makes you tick.

Think About What You Look Forward to Each Day

Even if your actual work may not excite you, think about anything else that you do that lights a fire inside of you.

For instance, perhaps you’re often excited to spend time painting some scenery you’ve been daydreaming about while you worked. Or maybe you find it fulfilling to help your friends out by listening to their problems and offering them sound advice.

Moments like these may indicate that you have underutilised skill sets that would be better suited to a different role or career entirely. If you’re unsure, try to imagine yourself in a new job where you get to do more of what excites you. If it makes you want to jump out of bed and race to work, then it might be worth it to pivot your career trajectory.

Ask Yourself What You’re Most Grateful For

Some people get so focused on all the negative aspects of their job that they forget to acknowledge the good things in life too. While it may seem unrelated to redefining your career, knowing what you’re most grateful for can help you get a better idea of what matters to you most.

For instance, perhaps you’re thankful for the time you get to spend with your loved ones. This may indicate that you want a career with flexible working hours that will allow you to be with your family more often.

Or maybe you feel lucky to have a boss who still has your best interests at heart despite all the toxicity in your current team. It may be a hint as to what you look for in a good leader, and that it’s time to find a new job with more people like that at the helm.

Determine Your Personal Definition of Success

Moving up or changing careers is a major life decision. Rushing into things may be tempting, but it could cause you more harm than good. Hence, it’s best to slow down and really take in what your heart is trying to tell you.

Close your eyes and ask yourself: what does success look like? For some people, it may mean a bigger wage. For others, it could have more to do with making a positive impact on other people’s lives.

Another exercise you can do is to imagine yourself several years from now. Try to envision where you’re at, who is around you, what you’re doing, and how you’re feeling. By visualising your personal definition of success, you’ll have an easier time pinning down what your priorities are. And that will help you get a clearer picture of what exactly you should do to create lasting change in your life.

These are just some tips to help you clarify what you want out of your career. While you may not instantly arrive at a definite answer just yet, it will take you one step closer toward finding an exciting and fulfilling job.