Lost Your Career Spark? Maybe It’s Time for a Change.

You used to get excited going to work, and now it’s rare to experience that joy. The stuff that lit you up inside doesn’t have the same effect now. You’ve recently become bored, unhappy, or uninspired on the job.

In other words, you’ve lost your career “spark.”

But all hope is not lost! Let us be your career doctors — we’ll diagnose the issue, propose some solutions, and get you back to a state of contentment.

Diagnose the problem

Each reason for feeling stuck requires a different approach to fix. So it’s best to start by zeroing in on why you lack career enthusiasm, which could fall into three buckets:

You don’t like your team

People often make the job, and it’s possible your crew just isn’t cutting it anymore. 

Think about whether your team dynamic has changed literally (a boss left or a new coworker joined) or metaphorically (you’re not as chit-chatty as you used to be or the mood is down). Then, consider these symptoms:

• You find yourself overreacting to little things your colleagues say or do.
• You avoid talking to people as much as possible.
• You have the option to go into the office, but it never seems appealing.
• You feel lonely.
• You don’t have anyone you can lean on for emotional support or be your true self with.
• You frequently vent to friends or family about work politics

Your job has changed

A team shift can be jarring, but so too can a new job or title. Have you been demoted or transferred? Have your responsibilities changed since you first started? Are you now a manager when before you were an individual contributor?

Change can be a good thing. But it’s not for you if you notice that:

• You’re resentful of your to-do list, when before this wasn’t an issue.
• You regularly procrastinate or avoid important responsibilities.
• You’re jealous of coworkers’ roles.
• You sneak in side projects.
• You’re less confident in your skill set or place in the organization.

Your job hasn’t changed

Sometimes the problem is a lack of change_{What to Do if You’ve Hit a Professional Ceiling}. Sparks need fuel, and when there’s nothing new coming in, they begin to fade. Look out for red flags such as:

• Tasks that you used to like and do well are becoming harder or less interesting.
• Every day is, or feels, the same.
• You’re jealous of people you didn’t notice before.
• You’re often tired and unmotivated even when things are easy or slow.
• You do the bare minimum when you used to go above and beyond or think ahead.

The changes you can make

One of the above problems rings a bell? Great, now let’s see how you address it.

Change your team — or your perspective

If your team is toxic_{Worker, Beware: How to Spot the Signs of a Toxic Workplace} or holding you back, you might want to find a new one within the company (or outside of it) where you feel included, supported, and thrilled to show up each day. 

That’s easier said than done, so the alternative might be to alter your approach to team management and culture:

Reincorporate tasks you love

When your job has changed for the worse, the answer to hating it less_{Why You Hate Your Job and What to Do About It} could be leaving for another role. But try to solve the problem from within first by taking these steps:

Try something new

If maintaining the status quo is starting to drive you nuts, here’s what you can do — besides quit:

If none of the small changes work

So you tried many, or all, of these suggestions — and you’re still just as lost as before. In this case, the problem is likely much bigger than just the role or company: You’re on the wrong career path.

We know a career switch is terrifying, especially if you’re years into yours. But there are also plenty of options for doing what’s right for you, your financial situation, and your personal life:

Getting a degree

Degrees are the traditional route, which also makes them pretty steady and reliable. Colleges have decades, if not centuries, of success placing career changers and job seekers in roles and immersing learners in certain fields. The downside, however, is that legacy education can be outdated, meaning you might not be taught the most relevant skills to today’s employers. Not to mention, a full-time program comes with a steep price and long time commitment.

Self-guided study

Teaching yourself how to code, analyze data, or create sales pitches is cheap and flexible. But you miss out on hands-on support, and can fall into a hole of misinformation if relying solely on the internet or so-called “influencers.”

Bootcamps

Many people consider bootcamps a happy medium between self-guided study and full-time education. TripleTen’s, for example, are part-time and partially asynchronous, but still cover practical applications and offer access to industry insiders. Plus, they tend to come at a reasonable cost. 

The biggest cons to bootcamps? You still have to be self-motivated and organized to get the most out of the experience_{The 5 Ways to Get the Most Out of a Coding Bootcamp}, and give up some amount of your off-work hours (or time with family or friends) to complete classes and homework.

See if it’s time for you to switch careers

Aspiring career switchers often don’t recognize themselves without a little push — which is why we’ve created a handy quiz for identifying whether you’re in need of a pivot.