Doing what makes you happy is a no-brainer, right? So why is it that so many people stick it out in jobs they don’t actually enjoy?
There’s never a reason to feel stuck, as change is
always possible. But before considering a career switch, it’s important to understand what makes you happy at your core. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where the only thing that’s changed about your job is location, when if fact your job satisfaction relies on much more than your commute.
Take the time to do some real self-exploration and dig into:
Your motivations:
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Money aside, what could you see yourself doing that would make you happy? Make a list of the jobs that come to mind and notice any commonalities in the general skills required that may align with your strengths.
Your natural talents:
You know what you’re good at. This is typically a skill you excel at and enjoy, and often what you feel most appreciated for at work. You will be more engaged in work that puts your talents to good use, so take a tally of how many job responsibilities currently allow you to apply these skills.
Your values:
Do you appreciate the ability to work independently or is a team working environment something you value more? Do you prefer to consistently learn new skills or have the opportunity to really fine-tune one in particular? Is feeling like you’re helping others or contributing to a cause of importance?
Having a clear understanding of what will provide you long term fulfillment (rather than making a change as a short term solution) will make all the difference when it comes to finding work happiness.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s the only career advice you need:
