Changing Careers Could Be Your Key To Happiness

Research proves it.  The key to happiness is job satisfaction.   

In fact, the study conducted in Europe revealed that when it came to what made them happiest, people actually ranked job satisfaction above satisfaction with family life and doing leisure activities. 

Recently, I did my own mini research among people who participated in Clever Fox’s Career Coaching program.  I asked them what their symptoms of disafisfaction were that led them to find out what careers they were suited to. 

Here are the top 5 results (in no particular order): 

1. You feel sick at the thought of going to work
2. You watch the clock constantly at work, amazed at how slow time passes!
3. There’s a clash between your personal values/ethics and that of the organisation you work for. 
4. Despite trying, you cannot motivate yourself about your work.  Simple reason – you’re just not interested in it.
5. Your priorities have changed.  You want a career that fits in with your personal interests and what’s important to you at this stage in your life. 

If any of these ring true for you, it may just be time to move on. For the sake of your happiness. 

Here are eight steps to get you started on finding a more fulfilling career: 

1.Explore your major goals for life and the type of experiences you want to have for the long, mid and short term.  In doing so, consider what you want in terms of your finances, health and wellbeing, fun and leisure, friends and family, your intimate relationships, finances and of course your career. 

2. Is your current career taking you in towards the goals you’ve identified in Step 1 or is it moving you in a separate direction? 

3. Identify the key factors you want in a career. To do this, write an “employment criteria” for your ideal career. 

4. Get clear about what really makes you tick i.e. key drivers.   

5. Investigate careers that match your key drivers and interests. 

7.  Identify resources e.g. personal and professional development opportunities and mentors that can assist you in making the transition 

6. Plan the steps to get the career you want (this could be seeking employment or starting out your own business) 

8. Make a decision!  Don’t wait for changes to happen; make them happen. 

The bottom line:  Your life’s work should bring you pleasure, pride and a sense of fulfilment.  If you’re dissatisfied with your career, don’t just move for the sake of getting out of a job you dislike.  Take the time to find out what suits your personality and your interests.  Then find careers that match them.  Planning and taking the right steps will make the transition smoother and your outcome more rewarding.

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