#1 — REALISE THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU

Does it seem like you’re moving jobs every other year in search of ‘something better’? You feel flaky, ashamed about job-hopping or always looking for the ‘right’ role or employer.

You start to ask yourself — is there something wrong with ME? I go through this cycle every few years and I’m beginning to think I’M the problem.

First of all realise, there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s okay to outgrow an organisation or change jobs. Gone are the days where you stay in a role for life, get the gold watch and retire.

Some people need consistent change and variety, the challenge of an unfamiliar work environment or the opportunity to learn from and develop relationships with new people. Others prefer stability and will stay longer. Neither is wrong or better, so stop beating yourself up!

Because when you let go of what you think you ‘should’ do, you can start creating the career you actually want.

#2 — START SEEING THE POSSIBILITIES

Your existing knowledge and experience limits your ability to find your ‘ideal’ role. If you’ve never had this role before and don’t know anyone who has, it’s easy to assume it doesn’t exist. But you haven’t experienced it yet!

In 2013 I left the corporate world because I wanted to do things differently — and create a career on my terms. Yet I was so conditioned by the way I’d learnt to ‘do business’ and had no other experience to compare it to.

I ended up replicating the same corporate business model in my own business. And I felt trapped and miserable!

There was no logical reason for me to operate my business this way. But it was all I knew.

Our brain can only show us what it knows and has experienced. The reticular activating system (RAS) filters unnecessary information so we receive what’s important. It’s the reason when you’re looking to buy a certain car, you start seeing the same model everywhere.

To show your brain what’s possible, you need to surround yourself with people who are doing the work you want to do. Tap into your network, take these individuals for coffee and talk to them about their careers. If you need to look broader, ask your mentors or follow people on social media — LinkedIn, podcasts, YouTube.

When you give your brain the evidence it needs, you will begin to see new career possibilities.

#3 — GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT YOU WANT

The biggest mistake I see people make is starting from the ‘outside in’. Meaning — they focus on the job FIRST and make their career choices from there.

In contrast, the framework I teach starts from the ‘inside out’ with your purpose, values and the impact you want to make through your work. Because companies restructure, job titles shift and external circumstances change. But your internal motivators create both fulfillment at work and sustainable career success.

Those external, work-related aspects are important and critical for high performance. Think: your employer, team and clients; job responsibilities and work environment. Yet if your work isn’t aligned to what intrinsically drives you, you’ll struggle to stay motivated long-term!

If something isn’t right at work, most people assume an external factor is the issue. So they try and fix it by changing jobs. Yet without addressing these critical ‘internal’ factors, the same problems follow them to their next role.

Instead, get connected to your purpose and values. What’s most important to you at work? And what’s the ‘why’ behind your career goals?

Use this information as the starting point to create the career you want. Then, check it makes sense from a financial standpoint, supports your vision and ideal lifestyle. Finally, consider the work-related aspects which are important to you.

Here’s the bottom-line. When you start from the ‘inside out’, you will create a career that’s fulfilling and sustainable.

#4 — FOCUS ON YOUR ZONE OF GENIUS

The smartest and most successful people create their dream role around their zone of genius. This is what you’re good at and love to do.

Whether you’re a corporate leader or run your own business, start honouring your strengths as much as possible. Then delegate, outsource or eliminate your weaknesses.

What do you love to do? When are you in ‘flow’? Spending more time here improves your productivity, results and job satisfaction.

Also, pay attention to when you’re angry, frustrated or resentful. This is a sign you’re out of alignment with your work and need to make changes.

If you need to, track your activities for a week and write down how you spend your time. Then start to remove tasks outside your zone of genius, one at a time. Focus on the strategic work which moves the needle — for you and your employer or business.

When you honour your strengths, you will create a career which ‘works’ for you!

#5 — LOOK FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES

Pinpointed a problem in your organisation? Talk to your employer about creating a role around it. Highlight the benefits to the business and specific skills you have to help them solve it.

You’d be surprised how often companies say yes when someone brings them a clear business case and the right solution. I once met an engineer who identified a graduate training gap within her organisation and went on to design and implement a company-wide learning & development program.

Waiting around for your dream job to be advertised is a passive career strategy. Over 70% of roles aren’t advertised — they’re created. Invest in developing your network and tapping into the hidden job market.

When you start looking for the opportunities, you can create your own role before companies go to market.

#6 — MANAGING MULTI-PASSIONS

Are you an individual with lots of interests? Need variety in your work? Feel constrained by your job because there’s so many things you love to do — and it’s impossible to do them all in one role?

When you’re multi-passionate, trying to force all your interests into one ‘perfect job’ can hold you back. Realise not every passion needs to become your day job or a business. Give yourself the freedom to enjoy some interests and passion projects outside work.

Instead, here’s how to use those multi-passions to design your career with intention.

Testing ideas + passions

Know what your ideal role looks like? Find low-risk ways to test out new skills or experience different careers of interest. Consider learning new work-related skills, volunteering or shadowing someone.

Love speaking? Join Toastmasters to develop your skills or do some free speaking gigs to promote yourself as an expert in your industry. It may lead to paid work, a second income stream — or even your future career!

Interesting in coaching? Look for ways to coach people in your current role. Do a short introductory course before committing to a long-term certification program.

Consider alternative career pathways

Portfolio careers are also becoming more common and acceptable to corporate employers. I’ve met many Lawyer/Life Coaches, Accountant/Artists and HR Leader/Podcast Hosts!

You don’t have to pick one path for life. Many of my clients are choosing careers that blend multiple interest areas — even if it breaks the traditional mould.

Becoming your own boss could also be a great way to deliver multiple offers or services long-term. Start by building a side hustle and transition into your business over time.

When you stop trying to fit yourself to one specific job, you can start to craft a career which is the right fit for YOU!

It’s frustrating to feel like your career doesn’t fit and to always be searching for the ‘right role’. But the good news is, it’s completely possible to craft a career on your terms. These strategies have helped my clients create their ‘ideal’ role and I hope they support you too!

Ready to craft your dream career?​ 

Stacey Back is The Career Planning Specialist, an executive career coach and speaker. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.