Could this be the career turning point you are in?
I talk to a lot of people who started out delighted in their jobs and at their companies only to find the excitement and interest has fizzled. (I’ve also experienced this first hand in my own life.)
There are lots of reasons this can happen. But one common factor for people who are curious and like to learn is a shifting perspective on work that happens often 8-15 years into our careers.
In the beginning of our professional life, we delight at learning opportunities big and small. If we are generally optimistic – or even realistic – we can see and understand the value in a wide variety of experiences and challenges.
Difficult teammate? Learning opportunity. Miserable boss? Learning opportunity. Challenging assignment in an unfamiliar discipline? Learning opportunity.
There are so many generally applicable professional skills we are developing and so many specific experiences and expertise that are new that pretty much anything that is challenging is welcome.
Often in this period of our career the main things that kill our interest are:
the lack of a challenge (even that though, for a time could be…a learning opportunity…)
the lack of mentorship or leadership to help us frame up a particular challenge in the most useful way, or assist us in navigating towards the most constructive path for learning.
Okay, so let’s say you are lucky enough to spend 8 or 10 or 15 years learning and growing in this way…a new challenge now presents itself.
The pace of learning for specific skills and expertise you need has slowed. You are no longer learning and growing to achieve competence.
Now the day to day work of the job is what must sustain you.
So, do you love it? Do you like it?
Do you believe in it?
Do you like who YOU are at work?
Do you respect the people you work with?
During a turning point, these sorts of questions start to take up more space in our minds and weigh more heavily in the assessment of our days.
These questions aren’t a problem – it means you are transitioning into a new phase of your career.
Some common things that likely need to adjust at this time:
The strategies we use to motivate ourselves
The ways we define our contribution
The ways we interact with managers, coworkers and team members
How we measure achievement and success.
Making the transition can be a little unnerving, maybe even scary. It can also be empowering, freeing and confidence building.
In fact, navigating the transition with intention can actually invite a wide range of constructive changes in your professional and personal life that are more rewarding than you imagine.
Are you in a transition moment professionally? Or, have you been there before? I’d love to hear your story.
With all my respect,
Marijke Ocean Joy
P.S. If you are in the midst of the shift I describe here - or think you might be - and would like some support, schedule a complimentary mini-session and see if coaching would support you.
P.P.S. If you are feeling stuck and aren’t sure if you are in a transition or just in a straight up $hi! show, I’d also love to help. Often an outside perspective helps us get the clarity we need.