Maybe you recognize it, you roll from one job to another, you do a course here and there. The pennies are coming in nicely, the company car is shining at the door. At some point you start asking yourself questions: "Is this it now? Is this job what I want, what suits me and what I want to keep doing?" That doubt can paralyze you. It's not fun. You start asking yourself questions about the core of your
existence. You think of an early or late midlife crisis and become uncertain. You may discover that you are on the wrong track altogether.
Being honest with yourself is the hardest part, because often, deep down, you know the answers.
Ask for help
Ask a close friend or your partner to exchange thoughts with you. Find someone who can listen objectively, who dares to confront you, who does not project his or her own fears onto you.
Ask yourself three questions
When answering the questions, you prefer to assume your current job because that's safe. But that's just not the point. Dare to dream.
- 'What do I stand for? Who am I, what am I? Ask friends and family members to name your most important traits. Look up old performance reports: what did employers say about you in the past?
- What am I going for? What do I want to achieve in the short, medium and long term? What job or position do I aspire to? What do I dream of?
- "How do I accomplish that? This is the most concrete part. You make a list of things you are going to do: contact certain people, approach companies, write a piece, take a course. You can then work down that list. It's unfortunate that most people don't start thinking about themselves until their engine breaks down, and a bun-out or bore-out is a reality. Don't wait for that personal crisis, do it now!
Career Coaching
If you don't find a suitable sparring partner in your area, you can always turn to a career counselor.
What about you?
Do you recognize these questions? This dilemma? What have you already done with it? Who might you talk to about it? Do you know someone in your circle of friends who struggles with this? No doubt material for a fascinating conversation....