Have you ever found yourself in a job where the pay is great, but it’s a job you hate?
In a recent video for Q&A Wednesday, I explored this question from a professional who says her compensation is lucrative, but she hates the job so much she’s thinking about quitting and going back to school in hopes of finding something she likes better.
Her dilemma? Does quitting and going back to school mean that she has to accept less money?
As a professional who has had my fair share of roles that gave me anxiety and made me want to run, I understand where she’s coming from. But as a coach, my first instinct is to encourage her to pump the breaks and think about how she can strategically change by reflecting on what personal and professional alignment looks like to her.
I would give her three prompts to dive into:
- How do you define happiness?
- What is truly the source of your dissatisfaction?
- What can go on the back burner?
Keep reading for the breakdown of why each of these questions can play a role in moving her forward or watch the video below.
1. Understand How You Define Happiness
It’s crucial to ask yourself “What does success and satisfaction” on your terms look like? In this situation where the vibes are so bad, it is easy to go towards the extremes, but your terms are the middle ground.
Understanding how you define happiness, fulfillment, and success in your career is the key to breaking free from the confines of extreme thinking that can cause you to leap before you have a plan that feels right to you.
2. Ask Yourself “What Is Causing My Dissatisfaction”
While you’re doing reflection, you also want to dig deeper into exactly WHAT is causing your dissatisfaction.
Ask yourself, “Is it the nature of the work, the industry, your boss, or your team?”
As a coach, asking deeper questions is my jam. My goal is to create a safe space for you to get real with yourself and see where you are falling out of alignment with who you are, what you want, and how you wish to be treated.
3. What Can Go On The Backburner?
I know when everything feels like a mess, it can be hard to see what to prioritize without feeling overwhelmed. I love to use the idea of a stove and the four burners as a metaphor for thinking about what needs to be addressed first and then gradually addressing other factors as needed.
Let’s Move You Forward
To wrap it all up, I’ll ask you to reflect on two things:
-Knowing that you have the power to choose where you invest your time and talents,
-And tackling these shifts and forks in the road isn’t something you have to do on your own!
As a coach, I can support you in your quest to break free from the feeling of being stuck and overwhelmed. We can work together to identify the aspects of your situation that you can change and make steps in that direction.
Curious about what a coaching partnership can look like? Book a Discovery Call with me today.
And, if you have a question you’d love to see me answer, send it over! Contact me!
