As another week comes to a close, I'd encourage you to resist the temptation to immediately think about what comes next.
When our careers feel out of alignment, it's natural to look for solutions. We update our cv, start browsing job advertisements or imagine ourselves somewhere new. Taking action feels productive, and sometimes a change of role is exactly the right decision.
But I've learnt that the quality of our career decisions is rarely determined by how quickly we make them. It's determined by how well we understand what is driving them.
Over the years, I've worked with people who have changed jobs, industries and even careers, only to discover that the feeling they were trying to escape quietly followed them. They hadn't made the wrong decision; they simply hadn't taken the time to understand what was really missing.
Before you decide where you want to go, it can be incredibly valuable to understand what you're hoping will be different when you get there.
That kind of reflection doesn't slow your progress. More often, it helps you move in the right direction.
Three Questions to Take Into Your Weekend
1. What is it that I hope will be different if I change jobs?
Look beyond the obvious. Is it more purpose, greater flexibility, stronger leadership, new challenges, a better culture or simply the chance to feel like yourself again?
2. When have I felt most engaged and fulfilled in my career, and what was present in those moments?
Rather than focusing only on what isn't working today, spend some time remembering when work felt meaningful. There are often valuable clues hidden in those experiences.
3. If I couldn't change jobs for the next twelve months, what is one thing I could change about the way I work or the way I show up?
Sometimes we have more influence than we realise. While not every situation can be transformed, it's worth asking whether there are conversations, boundaries or choices that could improve your experience before assuming a new job is the only answer.
As you head into the weekend, remember that clarity doesn't usually arrive all at once. It grows through curiosity, honest reflection and a willingness to ask better questions before making bigger decisions.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle