Q:  I’m burned out in my job and don’t know where to look or what to do next.  What do you suggest? 

DS in Montana

A:  Are you committed to using this opportunity to upgrade your work to something that truly fits who you are? Before you start looking for a new position, take a look at what you want in your work life. Using a journal, or reflection time, answer the following:

What's happening in your current environment?

• What is your definition of burnout?  Is this job one you once liked and did well?  If so, what has changed? Has the job changed? Your expectations? Management's expectations?  Has your performance changed?

Learning about yourself 

• What motivates you? 
• What did you like to do as a child? 
• What are you passionate about? 
• Think of times when you have been fully absorbed in what you were doing? What got your full attention?
• List your skills?
• Are there any fields that you are particularly interested in? 

What would your Perfect Job look like? 

• What are the elements of your perfect job?  For instance, where are you working; in a large office, in your home, in the outdoors, somewhere else?  Are you working primarily alone on a computer, or in a team environment? Does your ideal job include travel? Do you influence others? Do you like to investigate? Do you want to be helping one person at a time? Are you creating something new and unique to you?
• What parts of your current job, would you like to carry forward?
• Using your imagination, and without limits, continue identifying, and writing down, elements of your ideal job.

 Stretch

• Next, clearly and in detail, answer the following:  If I had absolutely no fear of failure, what would I do during the next 5 years? 

In the meantime

While you are considering, or moving toward, something new, think about ways to make the current situation work best for you. Having identified the elements you want in your work life, are there ways to incorporate some of those elements in your current environment?

Knowing what motivates you internally will make it easier to determine when you have a good job match.  You also may be able to make your current environment more tolerable by playing to your inner drive. To help you discover your personal calling, check out Whistle While You Work by David A. Shapiro and Richard J. Leider.

I am happy to answer your questions.  Send your questions through the contact Debbie page or e-mail me at debbiebotko@aol.com.

A personal response will be sent directly to your e-mail address. In the future, your question and my response may be published.  If published, you will be identified only by your initials and/or state.