A Simple Guide To Banish Uncertainty And Figure Out Your Next Step

Do you stay, or do you leave?

Maybe just thinking about work tomorrow it’s enough to make you want to run for the hills, cry a little, or even fantasize about quitting first thing in the morning (if only!)… 

But then you think about the bills. How tough the job market is. The bonds you have with your coworkers. And you doubt yourself… “Maybe I don’t have it so bad?”

At the risk of stating the obvious, I want you to know:

You deserve to be doing work that you truly enjoy.

You deserve to be able to take pride in what you do, knowing that you’re making an impact on the world.

You deserve to make a good living and still have plenty of free time to spend with your family and friends, without stress or worry.

Is your job doing that for you?

I can tell you from personal experience that it’s really easy to ignore the longing and discontent we might feel about our professional lives. We tell ourselves that “every job is stressful” or that the only way to make more money is by working longer hours, at the cost of our health and well-being. 

I know I did.

I used to work as a 4th-grade teacher and reading specialist. While I loved helping kids and felt great when I was able to help them… 

I was also burned out, tired of long commutes, and working late nearly every night, volunteering for every committee.

On top of that, my paycheck vanished as soon as I got it. I was barely able to make ends meet. 

The “logical” choice to make more money was to become an administrator. So that’s the path I pursued…

Until I realized that it wasn’t worth it. 

The truth was, I’d only end up making just a little bit more money but have A LOT more stress. I was already exhausted and had no time for myself. What would my life look like if I had to double or triple my workload?

It wasn’t until I looked beyond what logic said my next step “should” be that I was able to find the career that was actually right for me. 

So if you’re feeling hesitant to take the leap, or you’re unsure about starting over at this point in your life, I get it!

That’s why I put together this guide for you – where we’ll explore 11 telltale signs that will help you figure out whether you’re in the right career or if it’s time for a change. 

But first, there are 3 things to consider when choosing a career…

3 Things You Should Consider When Selecting a Career

1. Passion and Purpose

One of the most critical elements in finding a career you love is identifying your passions and purpose.

Ask yourself: What activities energize me? What causes do I feel deeply about? 

Reflect on past experiences, both in and out of the workplace, to uncover patterns and themes that point towards your true calling. Remember, your career path should be more than just a means to an end—it should be a fulfilling journey that resonates with your heart and soul.

2. Skills and Strengths

Another aspect to consider when finding a career you love is your unique skill set and strengths. 

Ask yourself: What am I naturally good at? What things do I excel in effortlessly? 

Take inventory of your abilities and talents, and consider how they can be applied in different career options. Sometimes, the perfect job is one that allows you to leverage your strengths while continuously challenging you to grow and develop new skills.

3. Lifestyle and Values

Beyond passion and skills, it’s essential to align your career choice with your desired lifestyle and values. 

Ask yourself: What matters most to me outside of work? What would I love to dedicate my time to if there were no limitations?

Whether it’s spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, or making a positive impact in your community, your career should support the lifestyle you’d love. Strive to find a career that not only fulfills you professionally but also supports a healthy work-life balance and resonates with your core values.

11 Signs: How to Know if You Are in the Right Career… Or If It’s Time for a Change

Now that we’ve outlined the foundational principles, let’s dive into the 11 telltale signs that will help you figure out whether you’re in the right place or if it’s time to explore new career paths.

1. Sunday Night Dread

Do you find yourself dreading Monday mornings, feeling a sense of anxiety at the thought of returning to work? 

If so, it could be a sign that your current job isn’t aligning with your passions or purpose. Your profession should energize and inspire you, not fill you with a sense of dread as the weekend comes to a close.

It’s normal to feel that you need an extra day of rest, sometimes. But that’s different from dreading going to work. When you’re in the right place, you welcome Monday mornings as a natural part of your routine, and you enjoy the intellectual stimulation your vocation brings.

2. Growth and Development

If you’re feeling stagnant in your current role, with limited opportunities for growth and advancement, then it could be a sign that you’ve outgrown your job.

A job that no longer challenges you or allows you to develop new skills can quickly lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. 

On the other hand, a position where you’re motivated to grow will keep you engaged and motivated, providing you with opportunities to feel the satisfaction of new accomplishments.

Look for career options that offer room for growth and continuous learning, allowing you to evolve both personally and professionally.

3. Personal Values

Compromising your values or beliefs for the sake of your job can cut deep – it can affect your self-image, sense of integrity, and make you feel like an imposter.

If your 9-5 conflicts with your core values or requires you to act in ways that feel incongruent with who you are, it may be time to reevaluate your career choice. 

Your job should align with your values and ethics, allowing you to show up authentically and with integrity each day.

4. Chronic Stress and Burnout

Are you experiencing chronic stress, exhaustion, or burnout as a result of your job? 

While some level of stress is normal in any working environment, constant overwhelm and exhaustion can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. 

Pay attention to the warning signs of burnout and prioritize self-care. If your career is constantly draining you, it may be a sign that you need a change.

5. Work-Life Balance

In today’s world, “hustle culture” is normalized. Everywhere you look you get messages about what you should be doing – and that if you want to succeed in life, then you should work harder. 

But, your career should support a balanced lifestyle, allowing you to make time for relationships, hobbies, and self-care. 

If you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed by work demands and unable to prioritize personal time, it may be a sign that this is not the right place for you.

6. Fulfillment

Perhaps you “have it all” and your professional trajectory seems like a resounding success…

At least from the outside.

Money and status are not always indicators of fulfillment – and maybe despite all you’ve accomplished, you feel a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled or disconnected from your purpose, it may be a sign that your soul is calling you to another career that aligns more closely with your passions and values.

When you’re in the right place, you’ll not only enjoy the abundance that comes with your work – you’ll feel the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing that your contribution is making an impact.

7. Relationship with Coworkers and Management

Having positive relationships with your coworkers and management is one of the key factors that contribute to your well-being at work. 

A toxic working environment can quickly erode your morale and negatively impact your well-being. 

Your current career should allow you to collaborate with supportive colleagues and feel valued and respected by your superiors. If interpersonal conflicts are detracting from your job satisfaction, it may be worth considering a change…

And maybe you’re even being called to become your own boss!

8. Persistent Daydreaming

Do you find yourself daydreaming about a different job, fantasizing about what it would be like to pursue your passions? 

While occasional daydreaming is normal, persistent fantasies about a different career may indicate underlying dissatisfaction with your current situation. 

But that doesn’t mean that daydreaming is negative, or pointless. Pay attention to your daydreams — they may be guiding you toward a new path that better aligns with your desires and aspirations.

9. Engagement (Or Lack Thereof)

Wake Up. Go to work. Come back home. Sleep. Repeat. 

If this is what your life is like right now… 

Then it’s a sign that you feel disengaged or uninspired by the work you’re doing. You’re going through the motions without a sense of passion or purpose – and your well-being is suffering because of it.

Your vocation should ignite a sense of engagement, motivating you to show up fully and contribute your best. After all, that’s how you share your gifts with the world… by being authentic and fully present in the work that you do!

If you feel that spark is lacking for you, then it may be an indicator that it’s the moment to find a career that aligns with your soul’s purpose.

10. Seeking External Validation

Perhaps you chose your current career when you were in high school, and you studied the profession your parents approved of, or what you thought was expected of you. 

Now that you have five (or twenty) years down the road, you’re questioning who you’re really doing this for.

You may have realized that it’s not a profession that fulfills you – but rather, keeps the people around you happy…But you feel trapped. 

If this is the case, I invite you to turn your attention inward – and become your own source of validation. When you separate your career choice from other people’s approval, the right choice for you will become much clearer.

And remember, it’s never too late to switch careers!

11. Longing for Change

Do you feel a deep longing, a sense that there must be something more meaningful or fulfilling out there for you?

Well, let me tell you a secret…

Here at the Brave Thinking Institute, we know the truth about longing.

It’s one of the ways you’re being guided towards your dreams.

So if you feel longing for change, it’s not just a whim – it means that a deeper purpose it’s calling you to step on the right path for you. 

Trust your intuition and honor your desires for growth and fulfillment. Don’t settle for a career that no longer serves you or aligns with your aspirations.

Embrace the courage to explore new career paths and pursue opportunities that resonate with your heart and soul.

So… What Now? How To Find A Career You Love 

Now that you’ve peeled away the layers of self-doubt, pressure from others, or “common hour thinking” keeping you stuck at your current job, perhaps you came to the conclusion that it’s time for a change.

So… What now?

Navigating career choices can be daunting, especially when faced with uncertainty. 

There are so many options out there…How do you find the one that is right for you?

I have a special gift that can help you with that – a way to find out if the career that brought me fulfillment, abundance, time and money freedom is also a fit for you…

Download your copy of “Are You Meant To Be A Life Coach?” ebook!

In this guide, you’ll discover if life coaching is a good match for you, if you have what it takes to become a successful transformational life coach, and the first steps you can take to get started on your journey.

If you feel called to make a positive impact in the world, help others change their lives for the better, break the glass ceiling of corporate jobs, and have the freedom to create your own schedule…

Then life coaching may be the path for you!

Discover if life coaching is right for you – download your gift here!