So you’ve decided to assess your career. The first step is to accurately identify why you may be unhappy or unsatisfied with your current position. Be sure to know whether or not this is something that can be fixed or if you need to change organizations or career paths altogether. The bigger the change you decide to make, the more time is likely involved and the greater the impact there will likely be on your life.
           
To start looking at your career, begin making a list. Consider the following items.

Go through a typical day and note what you experience.

• What tasks do you enjoy completing and what do you not enjoy?
• How long is your commute, and is this a sustainable commute distance for the future?
• What is the quality of your existing office space?
  • Does it put you at ease, or does it fry your nerves the moment you see it each day?
• Are your coworkers a good fit for you?
  • Do you enjoy seeing them, being around them and occasionally collaborating with them?
• How do you feel at the end of the day? Energized, proud of what you’ve done and looking forward to the next day, or just happy to be getting out of there?

• Are you unsatisfied with your pay and think you are worth more money?

• How does your current career affect your work life balance?

• Do you find that you have enough time for your family?

• How is your relationship with your boss? Is it conducive to a positive work life?
• Does your work offer the challenges you are looking for?
  • Are you satisfied with the level and amount of responsibility you get?
• Do the values of the company align with your own?
• Do you get enough sleep?

Consider your long term aspirations.

• Long term, is the size of the company one that suits your career aspirations?
• Is there room for growth within the company in terms of promotion or expansion of responsibilities?
• Does the company’s long term strategy fit with your long term plan?

Review the list you’ve made and see if there is anything else you can ask yourself about your current position. Try not to leave any rock unturned.
Now, review your responses. Be sure to think critically about the answers you have written down. Make sure that you agree with the bigger picture that you have created by writing down the answers to these questions.

• If your answers indicate that you are mostly happy with where you are and what you are doing, it’s time to take your job to the mechanic. You probably just need to fine tune your circumstances to better suit your needs.
• Your responses tell you that you are happy in your line of work, but the organization you are a part of does not suit your long term plans; you need to seek out new opportunities.
• If the only conclusion you can draw is that you are unhappy both with your current employer and the field you have chosen to pursue, it may be time for a complete career overhaul.