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“Is this what I really want to do for the rest of my life”?

This question passes by our mind as we go through our day, but hits us like a truck at night when we lie down in bed. We might start to wonder whether the job we once dreamed of still fulfills us, or if we’ve hit our limit and can’t find that same fulfillment anymore.

And that’s okay! Questioning our professional life and experiencing a lack of motivation are natural parts of the human experience. 

Career crisis is a period when professionals experience moments of self-doubt, regret, and apathy towards their career. Unlike job dissatisfaction, a career crisis goes beyond the lack of motivation. It involves a deeper reevaluation of your entire career path, reflecting on career choices, long-term goals, and purpose.

But the question now is, what leads to a career crisis?

Factors of Career Crisis

There are many possible factors that can trigger a career crisis, such as the following, but not limited to:

1. Career stagnation

One of the most common factors is career stagnation, where we feel stuck doing the same thing everyday. This often happens because we already reached the maximum development in our role, preventing career growth.

With little to no room for advancement, work can start to feel monotonous. As a result, we may begin to view our job as a routine, draining our passion and motivation.

2. Shift in priorities

A shift in personal priorities is also a factor in a career crisis. We were in a transitional phase when we entered work, testing the waters of the real world. We were aggressive in chasing our dreams, climbing the corporate ladder, or expanding our network.

As we grow older, our values, interests, and goals begin to change. In our earlier years, we may have prioritized our career ambitions, but when those are met, later years become a time to shift our focus to other aspects of life, such as our health, family, or well-being.

3. Pursuing true passion

In the Philippines, pursuing a practical job is common. We tend to take on careers that offer well-paying jobs rather than pursuing what we truly want to do. This is often because of our need for financial security.

On top of this, breadwinners are common in the Filipino culture, where some are expected to bear the financial responsibility for the family, pushing them to choose what is better for their family over what truly fulfills them personally. Over time, the misalignment between career goals and personal aspirations may lead to a career crisis.

Effects of Career Crisis

A career crisis has several possible effects on our lives, ranging from personal to professional life. Although the intensity of the effects varies per person, the following are some of the possible effects of a career crisis:

1. Emotional stress

The constant questioning of our abilities and career choices can occupy our minds, potentially leading to feelings of anxiety. As a result, this can affect our mood and productivity not just at work, but also in daily life. The tendency to doubt ourselves may also make us feel bad about ourselves, taking a toll on our self-worth.

2. Losing purpose in life

During a career crisis, we may tend to feel confused or uncertain about the next step to take. The lack of clarity and sense of direction that we once had makes it difficult to move forward, leaving us stuck and unmotivated.

3. Identity crisis

A career crisis can lead to an identity crisis, as a career is a significant aspect of our identities. For some, a career is a strong indicator of their life purpose. Thus, when they undergo a career crisis, they may struggle to understand who they are outside their desks and off their blazers, making it difficult to navigate their personal identities beyond the 9-5.

How to Overcome Career Crisis

Experiencing a career crisis can feel like it is with us for a long time, as it makes us go through a lot of thoughts and emotions. Fortunately, a career crisis can be managed with the 4-step approach:

1. Reflect on goals

The first step in overcoming a career crisis is to reflect on our goals. Take a step back from all the hustle and take the time to evaluate what we want to focus on at this stage of our life. What are our long-term goals now? Do we still share the same values as before? What are our current interests?

Asking these kinds of questions is important in figuring out what we want to do. Staying in the present moment is also crucial, as it prevents us from staying in the past and uncertainties of the future.

2. Identify gaps

The next step is to identify the gaps. List all the obstacles that we believe are preventing us from achieving the goals that we’ve listed, regardless if it is a minor or major setback.

Creating a list can provide us with an overview of the patterns and root causes that prevent us from moving forward in our career. This also allows us to categorize our gaps, whether it is internal or external, so we can determine the best approach to addressing each gap.

3. Seek guidance

As our thoughts are now organized, we can seek guidance from others, such as our mentors, colleagues, or friends. Seeking guidance from others can give us a new perspective, expanding our insights that could help in our decision-making process. These conversations can also give us a sense of support, allowing us to momentarily shift our focus from our thoughts.

4. Engage in actions

The final step is to take action. Taking action does not mean we have to make huge changes right away. It is important to take our time and move at our own pace. We can start with small steps, varying from enrolling in a short course, volunteering, or researching career paths.

Regardless of how small or big the actions are, what is more important is that we are making progress in overcoming a career crisis.

While a career crisis sounds overwhelming, we must remember that our story does not end there. In fact, experiencing a career crisis can be viewed as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and how we truly want to live our lives. It offers us a chance to uncover new beginnings in our personal and professional lives.

If you’re ready to take on a new chapter of your career, click the button below to explore the opportunities with Security Bank!