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On this episode
Many of us feel stuck in roles that don’t suit us, facing judgment and self-doubt. We might be unhappy with where we are, but not sure how to change… or even if we can. It can be easy to blame ourselves when things don’t feel right, thinking we should be able to cope or enjoy our work.
Dr Sarah Goulding suggests that understanding our feelings and needs can guide us toward finding a role that truly fits. We need to pause, examine our feelings, and consider if we’re fulfilled, challenged, and using our skills fully. By acknowledging that discomfort, we can start exploring other possibilities.
We start by assessing our current situation and identifying what feels off. Then, we can imagine what “good enough” looks like for us. It’s about understanding the gap between where we are and where we want to be.
Sticking in a role that isn’t right – that isn’t fulfilling, or that isn’t taking advantage of everything you have to offer – can lead to burnout later on. We can feel trapped, and start blaming ourselves for not being good enough.
But by reflecting on our feelings about our work and life, thinking about what drives us and how we want to spend our days, we can create a clearer picture of what needs to change and can start taking small steps towards a more fulfilling career.
Show links
More episodes of You Are Not a Frog:
- Life’s Too Short NOT to Love What You Do – Episode 209, with Dr Sarah Goulding
- Why We’re Ditching the Term ‘Imposter Syndrome’ – Episode 112, with Dr Sarah Goulding
- Getting a Breakthrough by Using Your Right Brain – Episode 203, with Yda Bouvier
Download the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.
About the guests
Reasons to listen
- To identify career dissatisfaction and how to address it effectively
- To learn how to use feelings as a guide to understanding professional fulfilment and the potential changes needed
- For practical exercises to envision and achieve a more satisfying career path
Episode highlights
The “I’m not good enough” story
How to avoid making a long-term decision from a short-term frame-of-mind
Figuring out what sort of change you want to make
Thrive Week Planner
Identifying the neutral facts of what you do
Start getting nosy
Start networking
Beating imposter syndrome
Understanding your own brain
Pushing through discomfort
Sarah’s top tips
Episode transcript
[00:00:00] Rachel: Is your current role really making the most of your skills? And what would it be like to have a job, but you were really, really challenged and stretched, where you could learn new things, but you really knew that you were in the right place? [00:00:10] This week. Under lighted to bring Dr. Sarah Goulding back onto the podcast to talk about how to make a career change from the right frame of mind. [00:00:18] Now taking the leap to something different can bring about a lot of really uncomfortable questions, such as, why can’t I just…
