3 Universal Signs You Are Off Track with Your Career

Over the years I've talked with hundreds of people about the state of their career. As we being our conversation they tell me the story they've been telling themselves. They go over where they've been, where they are now, and where they are going.

Everything they say hangs together until the very end of their story when they begin to tell me where they are feeling stuck.

In many cases, I've already spotted where they are blocked. Something they say, their tone of voice, or their approach to their circumstances tells me what's really going on underneath the story they are telling themselves.

As you read these four signs, think about how they show up in your life - in the past and the present.

Motivated by Shoulds

Are you doing what you are doing because you think you "should"?

I should dedicate more time to my job search.

I should write my resume.

I should go after "this" career.

In all likelihood, the thing you are telling yourself makes good logical sense. Unfortunately, there's some part of what you are trying to get yourself to do that's NOT making sense to you at a deeper level. Try as you might, the more energy you try to put toward what you should do, the less progress you make.

Think of it this way. If you have one foot on the gas, and the other on the brake, moving forward out of a sense of should isn't likely to lead to the results you are hoping for.

Pushing to Get Results

Do you find yourself pushing to make progress?

I have to push myself to go to networking events

I have to push myself to go to a certain class

I must push myself to get on LinkedIn

It's true that we all need a bit of a kick to do tasks we aren't excited to do. It certainly fits our work ethic - the more you push, the more you get ahead. The question is, Are you really making progress? Or are you using all your effort to run in place?

There is another way! What would happen if you had a career goal that propelled you from the inside? Something that engages you so completely that you are drawn to take the next steps? Under these circumstances you have drive and passion without having to push yourself all of the time.

Torn between Two Options

Do you find yourself struggling to make a decision?

About what training program to enroll in?

About what green career to target?

About what companies to target?

When you are straddling the line between two or more choices, you are stuck in motion. You can't move forward because you don't have the clarity you need to take action. You can't go back to life as usual because you've been changed by the process of imagining a new future for yourself.

Revealing Your Truth through Your Voice

A person's voice is often the most obvious tell.

When your connection to your next step is lackluster, your voice will reflect that. You'll speak slower, with more pauses, and with an undertone of frustration, pain, or fear.

When you are engaged in your journey, your voice with tell the story. You'll share your story with excitement, you'll talk at a fast clip, and you'll exude energy.

Sometimes it is hard to hear these nuances in your own voice. Ask a trusted friend to tell you when your voice picks up with excitement and when it drags with resistance. With some feedback, you'll be able to pick up on this sign for yourself.

What's Your Next Move?

If you see any or all of these signs in your own story, it's time to take a step back to reflect on your situation.

I know, I know. You are in a hurry to get to where you want to go.

Are you really making progress? Really?

If you see the signs, give yourself a moment to reassess where you are going and why. Although I can't predict exactly how long you'll need to reset your vision, I suggest you set aside a block of time where you don't force yourself to make a decision or push yourself to take actions that aren't really working.

Can you give yourself a day? A weekend? A week? A month?

During this time out from action, focus on these questions.

What's working about your current plan? Keep this!

What's not working? What could you change to get it to work?

If the writing is on the wall...that something really isn't workable...what would be better?

In the big picture, what do you feel drawn to?