How To Know If You Are In The Wrong Career

Has this question cross your mind before?

I think some of us dislike our jobs but not all are ready to admit we are in the wrong career. And some I suspect had over the years rest with the fact that their work is merely the means to getting a paycheck. Period.

But a wrong fit has its consequences – not only does it produces an unhappy man, the employer might also be short-changed for lower than expected type of service. Think about that.

So, how do you know if you are in the wrong career? The following are some signs:

1. Dreaming of another job – you can’t get any clearer sign than this. You know you are not happy doing what you are doing and therefore been dreaming and thinking about other work you should be doing. If you know for certain what you should be doing, then congratulations! Nothing should stop you from pursuing that. Unfortunately, the problem with most of us is that we know this career is not what we wanted but have no inkling on what we should be doing instead.
2. Under a lot of stress – a certain amount of stress is inevitable in any job and they are supposed to motivate us to excel. But there is a different kind of stress. The kind that made you having insomnia, loss of concentration and a general feeling of depression. It might be due to incompetence on your part as a result of a misfit in the job.
3. Monday blues – all of us experienced Monday Blues once in a while but if you are experiencing it all the time, you should really ask yourself why you hated your job so much. Sometimes it’s not the job per se but the environment. If it’s the latter, there is an easy fix – change the employer. However, if it’s the job scope, then it’s time to evaluate whether you are in the right career or not.
4. Clock watcher – those that love what they do forget the time sometimes. Well, at least they won’t be looking at the clock all the time. But if you are one of those that are counting the hours and minutes before you can leave the office, this probably is not the career for you.
5. Lack of enthusiasm – how do you feel when people asked what you do? Do you answer with much enthusiasm? Or do you try to evade the question as much as possible? Those that love their job take pride in what they do. The job is an extension of who they are and what they believe in.
6. Taking regular medical leave – and you are not faking the illness. You have more headaches than usual. Your body gets tired easily.

Being in the right job or career is liberating and brings out the best in you. And the opposite is true – the worst of you get manifested, you end up frustrated, anxious, bored and purposeless.

If you can’t make these signs go away, it’s better to make a change for your own good as well as for the sake of the employer. Do not think it’s too late or that you cannot do anything about it. As in most things in life, we always have a choice.