Due to the timing of the festive break for my blog, the monthly Ask Me Anything is already with us! If this is new to you, check out last month’s questions and answers! Each month, I share my answers to a range of career questions in my Facebook Group, Creating Careers to Enjoy. This month, the questions are a theme, so I have pulled them together into two; do you find either of these relevant to your life right now? It’s the January 2024 Careers to Enjoy Questions and Answers! : Question One I’ve realised my role doesn’t align with my values. I am thinking I need to change roles (probably my level of seniority in my role) and move to another company. What advice do you have? and Question Two: Is my lack of motivation post-festive blues or do I need to change jobs?
Let me tell you a story – if you have worked with me 1:1 you may have heard this before, so bear with me. In my previous employed roles, I aspired to progress – it was what was expected, to “rise” through the ranks, and this was actively encouraged by my managers. But, once I got here, I realised I enjoyed my role so much when I was working at a “grade below”.
This is a common story when I am working with people on their career coaching. Often the first step in moving forward with this feeling is acceptance that it’s OK that a role or path is not for you! If you also feel this way, I recommend that you work through these points as a starting point.
- What is YOUR version of career success?
Begin your (potential) exit plan by understanding what your values are by paying attention to your emotions– feelings are messages. If you want to dig deeper, then these questions can help:
What patterns are noticing about yourself and others that have led you to feel this way? What with the motivation to get you where you are right now?
Understating your values is the first IMPORTANT step. You can do this when working with me and via this blog.
- Next, make your values measurable.
It’s not enough to know your values, you want to be able to notice when these elements show up in your work. It’s easy to spend time noticing when things DON’T match your needs, you want to know when they do! Don’t limit this exercise to evidence in work, it will include how you feel outside of work – your energy, your excitement, and your tolerance of harder times. This may also be present in very specific elements; consider salary, working conditions and working schedule as concrete examples of what is important to you.
- Where does this exist?
Hopefully, as you have been pulling these apart you have been considering whether is it a role issue, a manager, a culture issue, a company issue or a sector issue. Being able to understand this can help you plan for your next steps. A solution may be possible with a supportive, but misguided manager, and a progressive culture. However, it may have seen it’s not fixable.
One of the questions referred to the financial impact of moving away from the people management element of their role. I want you to consider that some workplaces have two patterns of progression – subject matter and people.
it isn’t always a case that you need to take a significant pay drop if you take the subject specialist.
- Finally, think about your application.
Be it a CV, Application, interview or informal chat with a colleague who knows you well, make sure you can talk about your skills, knowledge, learning, qualifications and values. It’s not a one-size-fits-all and this process is showing someone how you meet the needs of the business and role.
One way to enhance your career strategy is working with a Career Coach like me! But if that isn’t an option for you right now, then don’t forget there is a wealth of information on my site under Careers that can help!
Question Two: Is my lack of motivation post-festive blues or do I need to change jobs?
It’s so common to feel this way after returning back to business as usual after a break – especially this time of year! I LOVE what I do but I have found it very hard to get kicked back into gear after my festive break. It’s usually gone after the first day (and the adjustment to the school run alarm), but if you are still feeling this was a few weeks in, then working your way through these steps may help!
Uncovering the truth in the feeling can be a process of elimination. So, I invite you to join me by asking yourself these questions:
- What did you enjoy about the break?
Was it the change in time and expectations, the activities you undertook, the pace of life and/or the connection with friends and family?
How can you replicate that now?
- How is your health?
This covers all – your physical, mental and emotional? It goes without saying this is the backbone for all of life’s highs and lows. What can you do to look after yourself better?
- What is happening at work?
Are there seasonal pinch points or new or additional pressure, What is under your control? Is there an end date in mind?
Furthermore, are you being challenged enough? If work isn’t challenging you, then it can deflate your motivation for your role.
- Finally, what life stressors are you experiencing?
That will impact how you are feeling, and you may find that work is the final straw. Name them, understand what you can control, and share with supportive colleagues, and friends, to encourage support to help you through.
Now by going through the above process, you may have identified that the motivational slump is a reaction to other pressure and emotional challenges However, if not, the next step may help you break some negative thought patterns and begin thinking more positively. Start (or re-start!) a gratitude journal and consider what you have and what you are doing through a different lens!
Give that a couple of weeks and revisit how you feel! If you find that these feelings still exist, then maybe it’s time to consider something new – either internally, secondments, roles, or externally – or maybe it’s time to build more “festive fun” into your life – with the stability of working being the driver to do so.
If you would like to take part in future Ask Me Anything, Q&A sessions, then make sure you are part of Creating Careers to Enjoy, and take the opportunity to post your question.
If you would like to find out more about how I can help you, feel free to explore the website or reach out to arrange a suitable time for us to speak.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
