“Should I Change Careers?” 3 Signs the Answer is “Yes”

Should you change your career? In a word: Yes. But there are a few signs you need a career change that can help guide you—if you pay attention to them.

Here’s the thing: If you’re at a point when you’re really, seriously considering changing your career or heading in a different direction than you’ve always gone, guess what? You need a change. Continuing to head in the same direction will just continue to you unhappy.

Before considering a career change, we’d recommend taking a vacation. If you haven’t taken at least a week off in the last six months, schedule time off as soon as possible. You don’t want to decide to change careers simply because you’re temporarily burnt out at your current one.

But if you have taken time off, and you’re still feeling the tug of a career change, then there are a few more signs you want to look at.

Sign #1: The Thought of Going in to Work Weighs Heavily on You

Believe me, I’ve been there. I know how deeply soul-sucking to can be to go into a job every single day that makes you absolutely miserable. Maybe you still like your coworkers or maybe the location is convenient, or maybe they give you free coffee. But, despite those positives, there’s something weighs heavily on you at the very thought of going in to your job.

Take this as exactly what it is: a sign that something’s got to change. That discontent in your heart, that fatigue in your body, that cloudiness in your head…it all means that you’re not okay where you are. Really not okay.

Sign #2: When You Think About Leaving Your Job, You Feel Relief

You don’t have to quit your job right this second or even tomorrow (or a month from now). Take a few moments where you can sit somewhere quiet and do this quick visualization exercise.

First, close your eyes. Picture yourself the moment after you’ve told your boss you will be pursuing a new career opportunity. In this pretend scenario, what do you see? How do you feel? Does your body feel lighter? Are you smiling?

Then, picture yourself waking up the day after you’ve left your job. What does that look like?

Sign #3: When You Think About Pursuing a New Career, You Feel Excited

Now, we’re going to extend the exercise you did above. You can do it at the same time, or if you only have a few minutes, you can do these exercises separately. Either way, you want to close your eyes and be in a quiet space.

Picture yourself in your dream career. What does that look like?

When you’re doing that dream career, where are you physically? In an office? On a beach? At your house with your dog curled up beside you?

Jot notes after you’ve done the exercise. This can help you find your big why, or reason for doing whatever it is that you want to do.

As with any career, you need to define what success looks like for you. Do you want to make a certain level of income? Do you want to work remote? More time for your family? More vacation time? Start thinking about what matters most to you and how a new career could help you achieve these goals.

If thinking about that excites you, this may be another sign it’s time to pursue your career change a bit more seriously.

Is Copywriting the Career Change You Need?

Here’s what I can promise you about copywriting. If you’re a good writer and you’re willing to put in a little effort to learn, it can be a great career. Fulfilling, profitable and even enjoyable.

And you know what? Even if it’s not your end career, copywriting can make you plenty of money in the meantime. Yes, you’ll have to put in some effort. Yes, you’ll have to do your best. But isn’t that better than just staying stuck where you are?

Plus, you don’t have to quit your job to get started. You can start learning while you’re working your full- or part-time job. You can even seeing if there are ways to practice copy skills at your current job.

And, as you learn, continue saving money so if you want to quit your job and pursue a career change, you can!

If you want a change, here it is. And your first step is this: commit to making a change. Every time you start to feel crummy about your current job, read one of our blog posts and use it as an action item to getting started. Starting…now.

Watch More

If you’re thinking about changing careers to become a copywriter, one question you may wonder is, “How do I know copywriting is for me?” Watch below as Nicki and Kate dig into this question.

Your Turn

Let us know in the comments section: what are you going to do first?

Last Updated on September 23, 2023