Stuck in an unhappy job? Invite passion back into your life. Find time to reflect on your dreams, turn them into a career and get your spark back.
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius
For some of us, it’s simple to identify what motivates us in life, and we set out to pursue it as a hobby or even better, as a career. When a person enjoys their job, it doesn’t feel like the dreaded 9 to 5 and they’re unaware of the Monday blues.
Then there is another group of people: those stuck at a dead end job just to make a living, slowly losing the zest for life and the passion that once kept them going at the start of their career.
If you’re identifying those signs of unhappiness within yourself, it’s time to reflect on your dreams and turn them into a career. Let’s be realistic: your love for travelling will not pay your bills but choosing to work as a journalist or as a cruise line worker will bring you closer to what you love.
Learn something new
Quitting your current job to pursue an entirely different career takes a lot of courage and commitment, but you don’t have to take radical steps – take it slow!
It’s important that you have real-world skills to pursue your chosen career. Whether you’re interested in things such as psychology, marketing or computing, gaining the expertise is the key.
Taking on a part-time degree might be a good idea – every module you take will make you better prepared to turn your hobby into a career– by the time you complete the course you will be ready to enter the working world and will have the qualification to prove your skills!
Another option might be real-world learning – try finding a part-time job or volunteer in places that are related to your interests and gain the skills on the job.
“Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the centre of your life." - Ray Bradbury
Make use of your current skill set
Don’t discount the experience and skills you’ve developed in your previous jobs. Got experience working with people from a retail position? Your skills can be easily transferable to a wide range of customer service roles, marketing or logistics. Experience is almost as important as qualifications, so previously learnt skills will stand you in good stead.
Persevere
No one can do this for you. It will be impossible to succeed if you don’t believe in yourself. While the change will no-doubt be an intensive one, it will also be fulfilling. Remember why you’re doing this – you want to spend your life doing something you love, a job that you feel passionately about rather than something that just pays the bills. Sure, for a while you might find it a little bit daunting, but your future happiness – and the impact that it will have on everyone around you – is well worth the investment. Do it for your spouse, your children, or your parents. But most of all, do it for yourself. You deserve all the happiness in the world.
