What To Do When You Fall Out Of Love With Work

You started out loving your chosen career—at least in the beginning. But over time, you and your calling, well, you just grew apart.

And just like a relationship that’s gone bad, it can be hard to walk away from a career or a small business into which you’ve put so much time and effort to say nothing of the financial investment.

John Powell once said, “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”

The fact of the matter is we all get lost from time to time. That’s life. The danger comes when we fail to heed the road signs and thus remain stuck in the breakdown lane.

I have an abiding belief that everything in life happens for a reason. The key is to find the lessons. Even my own job with the boss from hell offered invaluable lessons and experiences.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF ON THE WRONG CAREER PATH?

Well, if you’re living with the consequences of having long ignored your better instincts, get a pen and paper, find some quiet space, and put your listening ears on.

Then write down everything that little voice has been trying to tell you but this time without censor or rationalization.

If you find, for example, that you’ve been living someone else’s dream, ask yourself:

• What does having other people’s approval or meeting someone else’s needs help me avoid or get?
• What price am I paying for this approval?
• Do the costs outweigh the benefits? If so, it’s time to start exploring your own dreams.

If you’re hanging onto a job or career solely because of all the time and money you’ve invested, then the first thing to do is to let yourself get close to your fear.

I’m not talking about the fear of letting the world know you made a mistake or the financial angst. What I’m talking about is getting in touch with the one thing that should really scare the heck out of you—namely, never getting to experience what your life would be like if you pursued your true gifts and passions.

Once you let that little reality sink in, sit down and write a “Dear John” letter to your past love. Talk to your career or business. Explain that while it has been a good and faithful partner for some time that you have simply fallen out of love. It will understand.

Then pick up a paintbrush, look into culinary school, or otherwise start courting your new love interests.

It’s easy to find yourself on the wrong career track.

When that happens, the key is to stay alert for warning lights, watch for the signposts along the way, learn from those inevitable detours, ask for directions, and then start slowly inching your way onto that big expansive highway called ‘Your Life’!