Here's how you can determine if it's time for a mid-career professional to switch careers.

Existem coisas que você n?o precisa ter certeza, basta você ter a dúvida. A medida que você vem percebendo que fazer o que você faz esta perdendo o sentido ou quando você tem aquela insatisfa??o, mas ainda positiva é hora de reavaliar sua carreira. Estar no “meio da carreira” pode ser relativo e na minha opini?o jamais ser seu delimitador de tempo.

Listen to how you are feeling. Tune into what your body and mind are telling you. Symptoms will include feeling bored, less engaged or bothered, fed up, distracted, uninterested, looking at your clock or scrolling on your phone instead of working. These are signs that something is wrong and it might be time for a new job or it might be something else. Only when we start noticing and say 'hey whats going on here for me?' can we make that decision on whether its time to move on.

It's time for a mid-career switch if you: 1. Feel Stagnant: If your growth feels like it's hit a ceiling, it might be time to explore new horizons. 2. Lack Passion: When Monday mornings feel like a chore rather than a challenge, passion might be missing. 3. Constant Burnout: Chronic stress and burnout indicate a mismatch between you and your current role. 4. No Alignment: If your values and the company’s culture are worlds apart, it’s worth reconsidering. 5. Desire for Change: When new skills and experiences beckon, it’s a sign to pursue fresh opportunities. Remember, as Steve Jobs said, "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work."

Are you consistently feeling unfulfilled or disengaged at work? I found myself dreading Monday mornings and feeling a constant sense of disinterest in my tasks. After reflecting on this for several months, I realized my lack of enthusiasm indicated it was time to explore new career opportunities. If your passion for your current role has waned and you're no longer excited about your projects, it might be time to consider a change.

As a mid-career professional, deciding whether to switch careers isn't just about assessing satisfaction. Persistent dissatisfaction, lack of motivation, and misaligned values are clear signs that something needs to change. However, it's not just about your current satisfaction. Imagine where you want to be in five or ten years. Does your current path align with this vision? Reflect on your long-term goals, growth potential, and the legacy you wish to leave. If your current career doesn't support this vision, it may be time to pivot before you end up in a state of dissatisfaction.

Explore how your interests and strengths overlap. I have a client who loves making violins in his spare time and is a data and analytics expert. So in our conversations, we've explored whether it makes sense to: 1. keep those separate as work and personal passion 2. combine them (e.g. can he work at an instrument company doing data analytics) or 3. should he start to launch his own violin company on the side with the goal to one day do that full time. There's no right or wrong, but let yourself play with creative possibilities. Instead of shutting yourself down with "yeah but..." ask yourself, "how might I...?"

Identify Transferable Skills. Analyze the skills you have developed in your current role and how they can be applied to a new career. Understanding your transferable skills can ease the transition and increase your confidence.

As a career coach, I advocate for first dreaming big. Don't let financial constraints or other circumstances limit your initial brainstorming—this approach can uncover fresh and exciting career ideas. However, once you have a vision, it's crucial to evaluate the financial impact and other practical considerations. Understand the potential changes in income, the costs of additional training, and the market realities of your desired industry. Develop a financial plan that includes a transition period for income fluctuations. Balancing your dreams with a solid financial strategy ensures a successful and sustainable career change.

Seek Feedback and Advice. Talk to mentors, colleagues, or coaches to gain perspective on your career situation. Their insights can help you identify blind spots and validate your thoughts on making a switch.

If you're contemplating a career change, start by assessing your job satisfaction. Persistent dissatisfaction or a disconnect between your values and job can signal it's time for a change. Reflect on what aspects of your role contribute to your unhappiness. Revisit your passions and interests—if your current job doesn’t engage them, a new field might. Research market trends to ensure your skills align with growing industries, and identify transferable skills that can bridge your experience with new opportunities. Finally, evaluate the financial impact of the transition and seek advice from your network for valuable insights.

Before choosing to quit your career completely, there are a few more steps in between to consider: - Take a sabbatical. Sometimes a longer break gives you just the right distance from work to ignite the flames again - Do you use your strengths enough? If not, how can you change your role - perhaps within the same company - to do more of what you're good at and less of what you're not - When is the last time you've done something exciting? Growth doesn't always follow a straight line upwards. Allow yourself to try something new that will challenge you - become a beginner again.

Mid-career crossroads? Time to do some soul-searching! Start by assessing your job satisfaction. Are you clockwatching or clock-defying? But here's the kicker: look beyond the paycheck. Does your work align with your values and long-term goals? Remember, a career switch isn't just about changing jobs—it's about changing trajectories. The real magic? Conduct informational interviews in fields that intrigue you.

Feeling stuck in your career? It might be time for a change. Start by asking yourself: Does your work still light you up? If not, don't panic - it's normal. Take stock of your skills and passions. What energizes you outside work? That could be your compass. Research emerging industries that align with your interests. Consider informational interviews to get the inside scoop. Analyze the trade-offs: potential salary changes, retraining needs, and long-term prospects. Remember, a career switch isn't just about escaping the old - it's about embracing new possibilities. Your accumulated wisdom is an asset, not a limitation. Ready to write your next professional chapter?

Feeling stuck in your career? It might be time for a change. Start by asking yourself: Does your work still light you up? If not, don't panic - it's normal. Take stock of your skills and passions. What energizes you outside work? That could be your compass. Research emerging industries that align with your interests. Consider informational interviews to get the inside scoop. Analyze the trade-offs: potential salary changes, retraining needs, and long-term prospects. Remember, a career switch isn't just about escaping the old - it's about embracing new possibilities. Your accumulated wisdom is an asset, not a limitation. Ready to write your next professional chapter?