Do What Makes You Happy

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There’s never a reason to feel stuck. Change is always possible. But before considering a career switch, it’s important to understand what makes you happy at your core. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where the only thing that’s changed about your job is the location when your job satisfaction depends on much more than your commute.

Take the time to do some real self-exploration. Dig into:

Your Motivations

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Money aside, what could you see yourself doing that would make you happy? Make a list of the jobs that come to mind. Look for any commonalities between them in terms of general skills required that may align with your strengths.

Your Natural Talents

You know what you’re good at. You know where you excel, what you enjoy doing, and what makes you feel most appreciated at work. You will be more engaged in a job that puts your talents to good use, so tally up how many job responsibilities currently allow you to apply these skills.

Your Values

Do you appreciate the ability to work independently, or do you value teamwork more? Do you prefer to consistently learn new skills, or do you like having the opportunity to really fine-tune one skill in particular? Is feeling like you’re helping others or contributing to a cause of importance?

Having a clear understanding of what will provide you with long-term fulfillment — rather than making a change as a short-term solution — will make all the difference when it comes to finding workplace happiness.

A version of this article originally appeared on the Atrium Staffing blog.

Michele Mavi is Atrium Staffing ‘s resident career expert.

By Michele Mavi