When Enough is Enough: How to Know When It’s Time for Change
Posted on February 15, 2024 by David Mahler, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
How do you know when it's time for a change? Is it when you don't have CLARITY about your life (personal, career, or both? If your asking, it's time
As we move toward the end of the year, it’s natural to look back at how things have been going and think about who we want to be, what we want to do, and what we want to have in the new year.
Am I having a rough time, we all go through them, or is it something more? Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes it can be difficult to know when it’s time to make a change. Relationship not going well? “Stuck” in a job you hate? Things not working out as you expected? When something goes wrong, do you feel like it’s always somebody else’s fault? If you answer yes to one of more of these questions, it’s a good time to look a little closer at your life.
Enough is enough for me came when health issues, getting laid off from my job, and going through the end of a long relationship. In my mind, I hit rock bottom. Something had to change. I decided it was better to be uncomfortable thinking and doing things differently than staying comfortable in what I know (which wasn’t very comfortable at all!). I was “not going to live like this anymore!” I got help, started to think and act differently and, what do you know, I got different results.
If you are wondering if you are in a “slump” or change is necessary, sit back and look back at the last 6 months (or any significant time period). Do any of the following describe you?
You’re unhappy more often than not. Are you unhappy more often than not? It might be time to make a change. If not now, then how long does this need to persist for you to decide a change is needed?
You’re not growing or learning. Stuck in a rut and not growing or learning anything new? it might be time to make a change. Life is boring and not fun when you are not learning anything or growing as a person.
You’re not being you. Do you find yourself doing things that don’t align with your values or beliefs? Are you an honest person who has to bend the truth at work? Being yourself and feeling integrity (heart, mind, and body all aligned) are foundational pieces to being happy. Do you know anybody who hates their job or is in a bad relationship that is happy?
You’re not being treated with respect. Feel like you are not respected at work and/or home? You deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. As with #4, I don’t know anybody who feels disrespected and happy. Do you?
You’re not reaching your goals. Not setting goals, not meeting them, or sometimes not even trying to achieve goals? This is a big red flag. The happy and successful people I know seems to have a consistent practice of setting and achieving their goals. These goals touch all parts of like. Fitness goals, career goals, financial goals, relationship goals, and personal goals. Goals come in all shapes and sizes. The key is having them and moving towards meeting those goals.
If any of these signs resonate with you, it might be time to make a change. Change can be scary (because it’s new), but it’s often necessary in order to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Remember, you have the power to make a change AND you have done it before. I do not know one person who has never achieved a goal. We ALL have this skill. Remind yourself of goals you have met and know you can do it just like you did it before.
Life is a project, manage it well!
Coach Dave
