Burn Out Happens

We’ve all been there. We went to school, obtained training, built skills, sent out resumes, filled out applications, interviewed, and finally accepted an offer of employment. We were on a linear path, following a straight line to what we thought was our career happily ever after.

At first, the work was engaging and fulfilling but as years passed the role we’d once longed for became a chore. Now, we’ve become too exhausted to look for other work and feel as if switching jobs or careers would be a sign of failure.

Shifting from a Linear to a Cyclical Mindset

Are you in this rut and looking for a way out? A simple solution is to shift from a linear to a cyclical mindset. According to writer Nathaniel Ansari, “A cycle implies life is a constant state of evolution and maintenance. [H]aving a cyclical mindset…gives you a level of patience you can’t get on a [exclusively] forward path.” Thinking this way enables us to see life’s challenges as opportunities, a season to pause and reflect on the type of work that would be fulfilling to the person we are now.  

Ansari stresses that we should not discard linear thinking for a cyclical mindset. “It’s a balance.” This means we should spend as much time seeking out new interests and opportunities as we do on career development for the job we have now. This gives us the knowledge, tools, and sense of agency over our careers that we’ll need when we’re ready for a change.

How to Discover New Interests While Staying Proficient in the Job You Have Now

Wondering how you’ll find time to learn new skills and discover new passions while staying up-to-date in your current career? Here are a few suggestions to get you started –

Attend Conferences and Training – Take advantage of work-sponsored professional development to explore other careers. If you attend a conference with multiple sessions, attend one or two workshops outside of your field of expertise. You may discover new interests while enhancing your value in your current position.

Ask Your Employer About Transfer Opportunities – Fortunately, the knowledge and skills required to work in public service are broad and transferrable. This means that your top-notch spreadsheet skills would be just as appreciated in Public Safety as in Parks and Recreation. Public needs are continually emerging too. For example, jobs such as director of cyber-security, climate change mitigation manager, chief resiliency officer, sustainability analyst, and others, did not exist until recently.

Volunteer – Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn new skills or to share your current skills and expertise in different settings. Volunteering is valuable because it allows you to try out new skills and expand your professional network while doing good for your community.

Never Stop Exploring

If you’re feeling burned out or ready to take on new work challenges, you’re at the beginning of your job search. If you’re actively looking for work, updating your resume, sending out applications, and going on interviews, you’re in the middle of your job search. If you accept an offer of employment, you’re at the end of one job search cycle…and at the beginning of another. Remain committed to career development in the job you have now, and never stop exploring other interests and opportunities.