Posted under Career Management on September 21st, 2007
As a career coach, I work with many people who initially believe they need a new career–that is–a new occupation. They present many different reasons for seeking a career change that have little to do with their actual occupation. Once we begin to peel back the layers prompting their interest in a change, we begin to see the source.
In today’s often frenetic work environment that includes working 50+ hours a week, taking courses toward an MBA, caring for a family or elderly family member, running errands and trying to find time to sleep, burnout is often the culprit.
It’s easy to miss the symptoms and leap to the conclusion that a career change is needed. Instead, the solution may be less drastic … such as having a conversation with your boss, or making changes in your present job or seeking a new work environment. Do any of the following signs sound familiar to you?
- Being more cynical, critical or sarcastic
- Losing the sense of job in everyday experiences
- Dragging yourself to work or having difficulty getting started
- Feeling more irritable, angry and less patient with others or those making demands
- Feeling as if you face insurmountable barriers
- Lacking energy to be productive
- No lacking feeling satisfied by your achievements
- Feeling disillusioned about your job
- Using food, drugs or alcohol to improve your mood
- Changes in your sleep habits, appetite or weight
- Having headaches, neck pain or lower back pain
- Increasing degree of risk taking
Identifying these behaviors/symptoms can help you spot the signs of burnout to make appropriate and beneficial changes in your worklife that don’t necessarily involve changing your occupation.
Posted by Louise Garver
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