I’m too old/young. I’ve invested too much time in my education/career/the company. I have bills to pay. There are many reasons we choose to stay in a less-than-ideal job. If you’re feeling stuck, you’re certainly not alone.
So why does it matter if you are in the ‘right’ job? Because, if you’re like most people, you will spend about 30 percent of your life working. Staying in the wrong thing doesn’t make room for the right things to happen.
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
- Lao Tzu
Throughout much of history, you would not have been able to choose your job. Your line of work would have been heavily dependent on factors such as gender, socio-economic status, location, lineage.
Today, we have more options but many people are still working primarily to fund their lives - pay bills, raise families, travel, save for retirement. On average, in our lifetime, we work 90,000 hours, and many of us are coming to realize we have a right to spend those hours meaningfully, with purpose, and in a place that honours who we are.
Studies show that workplace dissatisfaction affects your physical and mental health, ability to focus, your relationships and, ultimately, the overall quality of your life.
After a year of living under COVID-19, 60 percent of people are now rethinking their career choices and seriously considering a change. If that’s you, what now?
The “now what” can feel pretty intimidating. But like everything else, you can break it down into manageable steps. Start by reflecting on what it is about your work or workplace you want to (or have to!) change. Is it a full career change, or do you like the work you do but dream about doing it in a place that more closely reflects your core values?
If it’s a complete shift in career, there are steps you can take to start down the path and many resources available. Some of these resources include local, provincial and federal government agencies (these are free), business and life coaching, and private career counselors. Laura Sheehan talks about her identity as “Laura the lawyer” and her unexpected journey as life had other plans.
If you’ve come to the conclusion that the problem is not what you do but where you do it, then consider working with a recruiter. What do they have that you don’t? Knowledge, experience and relationships. Unfortunately, recruiters don’t always have the best reputation.
At Urban Legal Recruitment, we earn your trust the old-fashioned way - by getting to know you and aligning our actions to our words. We are not salespeople, but experienced human resource professionals who take the time to ensure the right match for clients, whether they are candidates or firms.
It can be daunting to face the prospect of change, but without taking action, the alternative is to spend a precious one-third of your life just marking time.
Life. Career. Opportunity Awaits. If you have any questions, are considering a change, or just want to chat, we would love to hear from you.
At Urban Legal Recruitment, we have experienced, along with our clients, the impacts of COVID-19. We’ve made the necessary adjustments to ensure the safety of our team members and our clients.
