Dr. Judi Craig, MCC
Executive Coach
Dr. Judi Craig, MCC Executive Coach |
|
|
Do
You Really Need To Change Careers?
( SA Woman, 2003) Feeling
burned out in your current job? You
might decide that what you need is a career change.
And you may be right! But
before you make such a drastic decision, here are a few things to consider. Make a
list of everything you do in your current job.
Take a few days to do this, adding items as you become aware of them.
Next, highlight the tasks/actions that you really enjoy.
If there aren’t any, you may indeed be in the wrong job.
What is
more common, however, is to find that there are a number of items on your list
that you really do like. It’s all
those other things you’re doing that are causing you to dislike your
work. Next,
ask yourself how you can get rid of those tasks that you dislike.
How about delegating them? Or
hiring someone else to do those things, freeing you to do what you really like
to do. Perhaps you need to hire a
virtual or real-time assistant. If you
have clients, ask yourself if there are certain ones you really love to work
with. What do they have in common?
What are the characteristics of those clients you don’t enjoy
working with? Once
you’ve identified your ideal client, ask yourself how you can get more of
them. Where do they hang out?
What do they read? Such
questions can give you clues about ways to market to them.
And don’t forget to ask your current ideal clients for referrals. At the
same time, what can you do to eliminate working with those clients you don’t
enjoy? Perhaps you’ll bring in an
associate to work with them; maybe you’ll refer them to someone else. Or you
can simply decide not to take any new ones who fit the criteria for your
“unwanted” list. Now take
a look at your own personal values (see side bar).
Once you’ve listed your top 10, ask yourself if there are any of those
values that you are not currently honoring in your life.
If so, your unhappiness may be due to not expressing that value rather
than to the kind of work you are doing. Of
course, if your work is in direct conflict with a top value, you’ll want to
find a way to transition into something fulfilling. Let’s
say one of your core values is to contribute and your job doesn’t
create the kind of contribution you want to make.
Then a friend invites you to participate in an organization whose
emphasis is contribution; you get involved with the organization, and suddenly
your job no longer irritates you. Why?
Because you are meeting your need to contribute outside of your work.
You can increase your satisfaction with your job either by expressing
more of your top values during your work day or by meeting those needs during
your off-time. Maybe
one of your core values is creativity, yet you find yourself stuck in a
very uncreative role. Have you
let your boss/supervisor know your frustrations and desires?
When you get your Finally,
ask yourself if the reason you want to leave your current job is because your
work-life balance is all out of whack. Your
life feels out of control; all work and no play. Guess
what? The problem may not be your
job; it may be poor time management, a problem setting boundaries or an
emotional issue. Most jobs/careers
will let you work as many hours as you are willing to put in; being a
“workaholic” carries with you from one work setting to another.
Instead
of switching jobs, why not first learn to set priorities and balance out your
life? Stop going to non-work
after-hours meetings unless the organizations are really helping your business
or expressing a passion. Make time
for your significant relationships. And
don’t forget to take a close look at your health and fitness—are you getting
regular physical exercise? Are you
eating a healthy diet? Most of
all, be sure you save some time for
moi’ and do those things that nurture your body or soul.
It could be fiddling with your plants, brushing your cat, reading mystery
novels, journaling, getting a facial, camping out, enjoying old movies, taking
bubble baths in candlelight, whatever. The
point is, the activity restores you and re-charges your physical or emotional
batteries. Once
you’re attending to your priorities and taking better care of yourself, you
may decide you really like the job you have! Judi
Craig, Ph.D., MCC
is an Executive & Career Coach in San Antonio, TX and President of Coach
Squared, Inc. Visit www.coachsquared.com
or email judi@coachsquared.com. SIDEBAR: Examples of Core Values
|
|
Send mail to gradysan@austin.rr.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
