_edited.png)
By Sarah Burrows
Why are we taught that work is… work? That it isn’t meant to be fun and that's why it’s called a job.
Well, you can be happy at work, you can thrive, be fulfilled, and wake up happy on a Monday.
Let’s think of the average hours over your working lifetime …the average year at 37.5 hours a week equates to nearly 2000 hours a year. How many of these hours do you want to be happy?
Even if you just want more, that is ok! You don’t have to settle just because it pays you & your colleagues right now are fun.
A YouGov study found that up to 42% of people weren’t happy at work. Additionally, a 2018 LinkedIn study found that 80% of professionals experience the “Sunday Scaries”, with over 90% of Millennials and Generation Z reporting they feel it.
The good news is that you CAN move into a career or job that does make you happy. It's important to overcome common fears like worry about the unknown, doubt over spending money on your personal development, uncertainty about not being an expert. As well as anxiety around rejection at interviews in addition to not knowing what to do to discover what happiness looks like in a job.
Here are some steps to help you discover what actually makes you happier at work, what you can do to start thinking about how to work towards a career transition, and what you could do instead of what you’re currently doing right now.
Step 1: Know what lights you up now
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is not determining both what they do and don’t like about the work they do. A focus on just 'hating your job' runs the risk of not understanding what you actually like to do, and therefore not knowing what job would make you happiest in the future.
How else do you know what you want to do?
The easiest place to begin here is usually to think about the things you don't like. You can build a list of things that you enjoy over a couple of weeks. Most importantly, this reflection will be useful to understand what lights you up. This is step one in my Career Change with Clarity and Courage Programme.
Another way to discover this is to ask three people what they think your biggest strengths are.
This will highlight your strengths, we often don't realise what our strengths are because to the individual , these skills are simple and easy therefore, they come naturally to you.
Here’s an example of how you can ask for this feedback:
"Hi, I am completing some personal development at the moment and would love some feedback. If you could describe my 3 biggest strengths, what would you suggest they are?"
Step 2: Research & development
This stage is where you generate the big ideas. Using the strengths, you have discovered, take career quizzes on websites such as prospects. Google what jobs come up for your biggest strength and you’ll see an abundance of different roles.
Also, talk to friends and family about their jobs and the work they do. Networking is one of the most powerful ways to understand what different professions really entail.
Step 3: Be kind to yourself, and remember, you’re not alone.
When you’re looking at a career change, remember that it takes time and effort. Firstly, start with where you are, not where you think you should be or where other people are, this is your journey, and you can only work with what you have right now. Secondly, berating yourself and comparing yourself to other people is not going to lead to being happy in your career. Remind yourself by writing down ‘this is my journey’ and sticking it up somewhere visible so you can read it every day.
Move it somewhere new every so often so it doesn’t become part of the paintwork.
Get the right support where and when you need it. For example, friends, family, recruiters, or a career coach; there are people who can help you. Whether it’s taking the pressure off you by looking over your CV or cover letter or supporting you to practice in your interview. If you’re interested in joining my 5-month Career Change with Clarity and Courage Programme, read more here.
About the Author
Sarah is a Career Change and Business Coach, empowering women in her signature 1 to 1 coaching programme (Change Career with Clarity & Courage) to become unstuck from their current career path, re-discover who they are and pivot into a career or business that is purpose led, fulfils them, and makes them happy and puts more £ in their hands.
Sarah has a master’s degree in psychology, is accredited by the British Psychological Society and has worked with the British military and both the charity and corporate sector in recovery, transition, leadership, and mentoring!
Sarah currently lives in London and her life consists of lacrosse, travel, yoga, exercising and eating.