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PUBLICATION

Title:	Experiencing Career Unrest?
Source:	Chicago Hospital News
Publish Date:	02/01/2008
Author:	Russ Jones

Experiencing Career Unrest?
http://www.chicagohospitalnews.com/pdf/CHN_02_08_pgs_1-20.pdf
Page 5

Nearly everyone at some point in their career goes through a period or periods in which their direction is unclear or they are feeling a level of dissatisfaction in their job or career. Career unrest is a sense of dissatisfaction associated with one’s work and can take several forms:

1) work environment unrest, ifcaused by the job or organization
2)career/function, if due to the nature of the work; and
3) career/ self unrest if the issue is within the individual.

Career unrest happens to many people. It can happen in a person who is emotionally stable or in someone who is having emotional difficulties. Career unrest is more than a momentary concern. It usually lasts for at least a few months and sometimes as long as several years. In my observations, it typically lasts from one to three years.

Career unrest can manifest itself either very sharply and painfully or as an anxious and uneasy feeling. The cause of career unrest can either be within the individual or within the environment. Any one or a combination of the following three conditions can lead to career unrest:

1) normal change and development
2) unrealistic needs or expectations; or
3) a less than adequate coping system for the circumstances.

When career unrest occurs, individuals have at least four options. Individuals can:

1. make their current positions more satisfying or productive
2. leave their current position and possibly leave their organization
3. change careers
4. change the way they view their career

Organizations can turn the negative consequences of career unrest into positive contributions.

In many cases, midlife unrest is related to career unrest, although, it is certainly not always the case. Much has been written about midlife unrest (crisis). Our culture does not recognize the extent of midlife unrest and its impact on career unrest. The primary reason is that individuals, who are experiencing it, don’t talk about it. Studies have shown that 75 to 80% of the professional population experience significant midlife unrest. Yet at least three out of four people experience it, most keep it a secret, though probably at a significant psychological cost.

What is becoming generally known, though long known by psychologists, is that as people grow and develop normally, their interests, values and expectations change. A middle aged person goes through a period of growth and adaptation. Change leads to dissatisfaction and sometimes the dissatisfaction centers on one’s career. Change in terms of midlife unrest can and should be a positive change—a sign of growth and development. On the positive side, most well educated professionals generate their own growth rather than stagnate.

Midlife unrest is typically based on self questions and self doubts. These concerns result in periods of pain and turbulence. These can become visible, though not always. In either case, they are certainly recognized by the individual experiencing them.

This career/self unrest comes in several forms; burnout, hesitation and/or apathy. The central meaning of burnout is really the loss of interest and creativity. People who are suffering from burnout, lack commitment, dedication, energy and motivation. Frequently, panic sets in and tasks that were easy become difficult or impossible to do.

Hesitation is more subtle than burnout. Hence it is easier to ignore. In fact, a person experiencing hesitation often plods onward, constantly reassuring themselves that everything is normal. Unmade decisions pile up as decisions are postponed while they overanalyze and revisit previous decisions and focus on the fast to make decisions that will affect the future.

The third form that career/self unrest takes is apathy. In the words of BB King, “the thrill is gone”. Work just isn’t fun anymore. The dissatisfaction is typically not with career, organization or other external factors, but within the person

The primary cause of career/self unrest might be simplistically labeled as increasing age. It is typically the result of continuing change and development that occurs in most professionals. As individuals begin to reflect on the “aspiration-achievement gap” it becomes more obvious.

The “aspiration-achievement gap” is a measure of two kinds of frustration. One is the frustration that career goals have not been achieved, while the other is the knowledge that important dreams and ideas were pushed aside for more practical considerations. Although now out of reach, they are not forgotten. Even those who achieved what they aspired; remember what they had to give up.

One of the most frustrating and frequently encountered producers of career/self unrest is the recognition that “success’ has been achieved at the price of values and relationships which they had no intention of violating. And last but not least, as individuals attain mid-life and become more aware of their own immortality, they realize that they have a limited time to achieve their life goals. As my grandfather, Edgar Jones, said to me, “Don’t live your life with regret. Give it every chance to be fulfilling.” Be steadfast to who you are, be realistic in setting goals and work diligently to have balance in your life.

Russ Jones is a Partner at First Transitions, Inc., a corporate-sponsored career transition and executive coaching firm specializing in the healthcare field. He can be reached at (630) 571-3311, (312) 541-0294 or at rjones@firsttransitions.com. You can also visit the website at www.firsttransitions.com.