leadership and career coaching
In the ever-changing landscape of our professional lives, we go through various stages, each with its unique set of challenges and joys. The early years are often a mix of excitement and learning as we strive to find our footing, learn new skills, and gather experiences. Some of us stumble upon the perfect career early, while others take a bit of a meandering journey, trying different things before finding what really clicks.
Once we've committed to a career, invested time and effort, and worked our way up the career ladder, there's this expectation that we should feel settled and satisfied at work. We have financial stability and recognition — a supposed recipe for happiness.
However, reality often throws us a curveball. For both myself in my previous career, and the clients I work with now, there often comes a moment, typically between the ages of 35 and 45, when the once-thriving career hits a bit of a rough patch. From the outside, all may look well or even awesome but the truth is, your professional life isn't bringing you the joy it used to. Perhaps the price feels too high? Maybe the culture no longer aligns? Or it might be that you have lost the passion you once had for the industry?
Navigating this phase can be tricky, especially when considering the idea of changing jobs or trying something new. It gets even more challenging when you're not quite sure why you're feeling unfulfilled or what to do about it. We often try to push these feelings aside, but there are signs that I often notice, signs that suggest now might be the time to explore further, figure out what needs to change, and create a plan to make it happen.
The BIG one…Noticing the Emotional and Physical Toll of Stress:
Long lasting stress is a red flag that should not be ignored. Whilst we all have stressful moments at work or short spells when the pressure increases, if it feels constant or enduring, something needs to change before your health suffers.
Stress can show up in many different ways both physical and mental.
Sleep is often impacted whether that's insomnia, difficulty getting to sleep with a racing mind, or waking during the night unable to go back to sleep or waking early with the day’s to-do list running through your thoughts. It's as if your mind can’t switch off or remain switched off for long.
It can also stimulate recurring feelings of fight, flight, and freeze as your nervous system is overly activated. Fight can manifest as frustration, impatience, and anger at work or home. Flight presents as a desire to escape, radically change profession or jobs, or even relocate to a different city or country. Freeze can materialise as disengagement, a lack of energy, and a diminishing interest in professional and personal pursuits.
When you are stressed, it’s harder to function so mistakes happen, you forget things and pretty soon, you end up in a self-critical, panic cycle feeling you are unable to do your job as well as you should.
Some people try to mitigate stress with unhealthy eating patterns to either self soothe or control an element of their lives. For others, it may be compulsive mindless scrolling or bingeing tv to try and switch off. These behaviours often avoid or suppress the issue rather than getting to the source.
Chronic stress should not be ignored. If you’re physically and / or emotionally exhausted, and notice a sense of disillusionment or dissatisfaction with your job, it's essential to assess whether these symptoms are temporary or indicative of a deeper issue.
2. . Diminished Passion and Engagement:
Feeling disengaged, unmotivated, or constantly counting down the hours until the end of the workday? It might be an indication that your current role is no longer fulfilling or the organisation is no longer inspiring you. If you constantly yearn for a deeper sense of purpose or fulfilment in your work, it may signal that your current career path is not aligned with your true passions and goals.
3. Stagnation in Professional Growth:
Career progression is vital for personal and financial development. If your current role lacks opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally, it might be time to explore new avenues that challenge and stimulate your skills.
4. Mismatched Values:
A misalignment between your personal values and those of your workplace can lead to dissatisfaction. If your company's culture, values, or ethical standards don't resonate with your own, finding fulfilment in daily tasks becomes challenging.
5. Deteriorating Work-Life Balance:
Balancing work and personal life is crucial for overall wellbeing. If your current job compromises your health or interferes with your relationships, it's worth considering whether a change could provide a healthier equilibrium.
6. Increased Interest in Other Fields:
Pay attention to evolving interests outside of work. Consistent attraction to activities or industries unrelated to your current career may indicate that your true calling lies elsewhere.
A change in direction can change both your work and your home life.
Embarking on Change with Support
Recognising these signs is a pivotal step towards building a more fulfilling professional life. Change, though daunting, opens doors to new opportunities, personal growth, and a renewed sense of purpose.
It's also worth noting that in my experience as a Leadership and Career Coach, the change needed is not always a complete overhaul. Sometimes, the shifts are often more nuanced, or smaller than first thought.
Regardless of the size of the change, making a change in your life can be daunting and, as much as you may feel supported and helped by friends and family, meeting with a Coach can bring an objective viewpoint to your situation.
A Leadership and Career Coach can bring an objective viewpoint.
As a Leadership and Career Coach, and as someone who has been there myself, I can assist you in assessing your skills, strengths, and interests, help you to identify and interrogate the options, so that you can sculpt a path forward that aligns with your values and aspirations. Life is too short to spend in a role that no longer brings you joy and fulfilment. If you would like to make a change in your career but don’t know where to start, book a free consultation with me here and let’s start planning for a happier future.