How do you feel about your job? This is important. Your job affects most areas of your life.
To some folks, this might be a somewhat loaded question. Jobs are complicated things. We like having them, or at least we like having the money we get from our employer on payday. But we may not always like the job itself much. It’s possible we like the job, but not the people we’re working with.
What if you could have a fresh start?
A new beginning when it comes to your job can be a lifesaver. Imagine if you were excited about going to work every day! Let’s think about what you would need to make this a reality:
Start with an Honest Assessment
Does your unhappiness stem from the job or a specific situation? If you still love the job itself but are having problems with a co-worker, your approach will be different from when you feel burned out on the work and want to change careers entirely.
Consider Your Skills
It’s time to think the way management does when they do your annual review: they tend to start with a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
This kind of review lets you know what you have to offer and where you need some work. If you can figure out your passion and abilities, then combine those into your daily work, you will become a winner professionally with a bold direction for your fresh start.
Fill in the Gaps
If you’re looking to make a proper fresh start, you’ll want to go in with the skillset necessary for where you want to be. Are there areas where you need some further education or training? What can you do to obtain this? Take the initiative!
Initiate Discussions
Next, talk to a mentor for advice on where you should go next. If you don’t have mentors, consider talking to others in the position you desire to get their take on the skills you’re going to need to get where they are now. Hopefully, they’ll also give you some solid advice on how to get there.
Consider All the Options
Don’t get so locked into one idea that you fail to see other options.
Take a step back to consider all the angles. Are there other jobs that are similar or involve similar skills? What other areas interest you? What are the opportunities you might be missing? Look beyond the workplace you’re in. Your purpose may be to work in another place.
Hone the Right Attitude
No matter what, as you start on this journey, keep positive. Attitude is everything, especially when you’re working on getting ahead. Be grateful for what you have, what has been supporting you even as you consider moving into other areas.