#578: Figuring Out If You Should Change Careers (And How to Do It)

Doubt

The journey of career change often begins with doubt. Joseph Liu explains that this stage involves feeling disengaged with your work and questioning if these feelings are normal. He emphasizes the importance of not ignoring these feelings but also not acting rashly. Liu advises taking proactive steps to understand what you want from your career and addressing any mismatches between your skills and job requirements 1.

It's worth looking at it and at least paying attention to it.

--- Joseph Liu

Common mistakes include being too quick to judge a situation or completely ignoring the feelings of doubt 2.

   

Dismay

The next stage, dismay, is marked by a complete sense of misplacement. Joseph Liu describes this as feeling entirely out of place in your career, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion. He notes that this stage often involves dedicating evenings and weekends to recuperating from the drain your job creates 3.

You're not doing anything justice in your life because you just don't have the capacity for it.

--- Joseph Liu

Ignoring these feelings can result in poor job performance and affect personal relationships 4.

   

Mitigation

Mitigation involves attempts to fix the situation without making a full career change. Joseph Liu explains that this stage is about trying to make your current job work by picking up side projects or making minor tweaks to your role. He warns that this can spread you thin and is often not sustainable in the long run 5.

People want to find ways to make things work.

--- Joseph Liu

Skipping this stage can lead to regrets about not trying to fix the situation before making a drastic move.

   

Departure

The departure stage is when you decide to leave your current career due to sustained dissatisfaction. Joseph Liu highlights that this decision often comes after feeling emotionally and physically drained. He shares a personal example of how his dissatisfaction affected his personal life, emphasizing the importance of recognizing when it's time to move on 4.

It's a sign that you are at the bottom of the emotional journey, and it's probably worth trying to get out of it.

--- Joseph Liu

Deciding to leave and actually leaving are two separate challenges that need careful consideration 6.

   

Reflection

Reflection involves taking a break to understand what fulfillment means and to gain clarity and courage. Joseph Liu suggests that this stage is about giving yourself the headspace to figure out your next steps. He emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to think about what you really want from your career 7.

Hopefully, the clarity, the confidence, and the courage to make a move that you feel is going to really bring you some fulfillment and joy.

--- Joseph Liu

This stage is crucial for gaining the confidence to make a fulfilling career move.

   

Relaunch

The final stage, relaunch, involves exploring new paths such as new education, starting a business, or returning to a former role. Joseph Liu outlines various paths people take, including gaining new skills, starting a business, or making minor shifts in their current role. He notes that some people may even return to their former jobs with a new perspective 8.

You can have a little bit more of an off the beaten path career and still find it very rewarding and very enriching.

--- Joseph Liu

This stage is about finding a path that brings you fulfillment and joy 9.