Most people start their careers with the best of intentions, but it's easy to get off track. Once you get into the routine of landing at the same desk, day after day, you can forget to take stock. One day (hopefully sooner rather than later!) you may realize that you are far from where you had hoped and wonder how to get back onto the right path.
4 Ways to Tell If Your Career is Off Track
1. You Can't Get There From Here
There is no clear path from your current job to your goals. Every successful business person knows the value of paying your dues to earn your way up the ladder. But if you can't see a logical career progression from where you are, it may be time to reassess your career choices.
Related: 5 Tips You Must Know to Advance Your Career
2. It's Too Hard
Not, "wow this is a challenge" hard, but "I can't do this" or "I don't want to do this." Plenty of jobs seem great on paper and they often are – but not for you. You shouldn't have to fight your own temperament, interests, or abilities for forty plus hours every week. So if you are an introverted sales person or a nurse who can't stand the sight of blood, do yourself and everyone else a favor and re-think your path.
3. It's Not Fun
Work-life balance is important, but you should find your field interesting. If you never have the urge to pick up a book about your industry or keep up on developments online, you may want to find a job that excites you a little more. Take a look at your career goals or what you enjoy in you spare time for career ideas.
4. You Don't Like Mondays.
Unless you are Richard Branson, you probably groan at the thought of Monday morning. But Monday morning dread shouldn't start Sunday night. If you're in the right career, you can likely shake off the doldrums with a cup of coffee or morning run. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your weekends, but if you spend your Sunday riddled with anxiety, it may be time to update your resume.
If you know you're off track, but you're not sure what to do next, Sparks Group can help. We can teach you to reframe your experience to change your career path, or help you find your next great career opportunity.
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