Pause or pivot: What to do when you're at a career crossroads
On re-committing or moving on at work
There comes a point when we might find ourselves at a professional crossroads. We begin to question if it's time to hit pause on our current career path, take a step back to re-examine, or change direction towards something entirely new. I've been there, and I want to share what I’ve learned along the way.
Picture yourself in the thick of a successful career, mingling with seasoned executives and driven leaders, entrusted with the weighty responsibility of steering business growth. The business world unfolds in high-profile meetings and (profit) plans for the future, and on paper, everything seems on track. But beneath the surface, a sense of doubt slowly sets in, like a whisper, then a muted scream, of discontent.
You start to question if you've outgrown your industry, if there's something more fulfilling out there. You might get caught up in the passion and purpose narrative that is so popular on Linkedin these days.
Or maybe you begin thinking something’s wrong with you.
It's a nagging doubt that refuses to be silenced. You find yourself dreading tasks you once loved and feeling trapped in a river of conformity.
Deep down, a feeling of disenchantment is creeping in.
This was me at one point. And I could no longer ignore the persistent voice in my head: Where am I going? Are there other things out there more suited to me?
Does it all still fit?
I was beginning to dread the things I loved doing most. I was frustrated at the importance my colleagues, clients and the entire industry were assigning to our work. I was increasingly distraught at what I felt were dishonest business practices and unsustainable tactics instead of future-forward contributions.
I'll be honest; I might have entertained these thoughts from a mix of naiveté and exhaustion, maybe even a place that was anything but humble.
The business of doing business tasted like milk gone bad, and I just couldn’t get rid of it. But I couldn’t do things differently, either. One fish can’t swim against the current of her own organization. And to be honest, I didn’t have the energy left after so many years of swimming up stream.