6 Signs It Might Be Time For a Career Coach
I’m guessing you wouldn’t be reading this right now if you weren’t wondering whether it’s time to hire a career coach. Struggling with this decision is understandable because there are many factors to consider. Things like, is a career coach worth the investment? What if you don’t have the time or capacity to work with one right now? Are your current feelings about your career legitimate or an overreaction?
Let’s talk about that last question today.
It’s common for dissatisfied professionals to dismiss their frustrations and keep chugging away at the status quo, hoping things will somehow get better (or at least not worse). So whether you recognize all or just a few of the following six signs, it may be time to reach out for help. Keep reading to find out whether hiring a career coach is right for you!
Need a Lifeline? Let’s Check the Signs
The first step toward solving any problem is acknowledgment, so take some time to reflect on these signs and be honest with yourself.
Here are six ways to know when its time to hire a career coach:
Sign#1: You’re Burnt Out (Or Getting Pretty Close!)
While burnout is a severe problem, our society doesn’t always recognize this since non-stop busyness is part of the norm. But burnout isn’t just constant fatigue; it’s also:
- A loss of motivation
- A lack of creativity
- Feeling like nothing matters
- Contributing to a toxic work environment
- Feeling detached and dissatisfied
All this will derail your efforts to build a thriving career. If your path has led you to burnout, it’s time to take back control.
Sign#2: You’re Confused and Don’t Know Where to Turn
This sign can manifest in two ways. First, you might feel a quiet sense of dissatisfaction constantly buzzing away in the background but aren’t sure what’s causing it. In my experience, women who think like this often think the easiest way to solve the problem is to find a new job or change careers entirely. The problem is, a new job or career may not be the answer!
Or, you may be confident that a career change is correct for you but unsure how to approach it. This often leads to analysis paralysis or doing way too much instead of focusing on a condensed strategy.
Sign#3: You Struggle with Following Through
Many people are great at choosing a direction. They get pumped up initially, resolve to make a change, stick with it for a while, then quit. The problem is that giving up before the end will give you the same results as never starting in the first place!
One of the benefits of working with a career coach is the added element of accountability. A coach will help you pinpoint your most pressing issues, develop an action plan, and hold you to your commitments.
Sign#4: You Don’t Know Who You Are
You might know your favorite foods, animals, and recreational activities, but knowing your interests is the tip of the iceberg. Being in touch with yourself also means understanding your goals, values, passions, and motivations. Pinpointing these areas will empower you to make fulfilling career moves or rearrange your priorities so you can enjoy life more (regardless of whether your work situation changes).
The opposite is also true: if you don’t know yourself, you’ll stay stuck.
Sign#5: Your Mindset Kinda Sucks
It sounds harsh, but a toxic mindset is another reason you may need to work with a career coach! Examples of toxic mindsets include reacting emotionally versus strategically to challenging situations, constantly viewing circumstances gloomily, and using your words against yourself. Remember: there’s a direct correlation between how you think and what you achieve.
Sign #6: You’re Scared of the Future
Lastly, do you constantly feel afraid of the future?
Maybe you’re scared that something worse than your current situation might happen if you don’t make a change now. Your physical or mental health might deteriorate, or you may never achieve your goals or make the money you need.
Or, maybe you’re burdened by a nameless fear, something you can’t quite put your finger on.
Either way, constant fear is a tell-tale sign that it might be time to reach out for help.
Life is too short to spin your wheels and remain unfilled year in, year out. If any of these signs resonated with you, grab a lifeline. I invite you to contact me; together, we’ll tease out your challenges and plan what you need to do to thrive in life!
