Happiness is doing what you love and contributing to others while earning a living doing it.

Some of us go to work simply for the paycheck, while others get the most out of their day by doing meaningful work that lets them grow and contribute to others while using their talents and skills. So how does one fall into the first situation while others find and are living their passion? Many times, it is inertia and our comfort zone that lets us settle for an average life.

I had a wonderful corporate career working with some excellent people during that time. However, I realized that I spent some of those years “trading days for dollars.” That’s when you stay with a job because you have bills to pay and people who depend on you, even though you are doing unfulfilling work and not giving your best because you have been moved into a role where your strengths are not being fully applied.

Unfortunately, I learned that later in my career. I worked for some excellent companies and enjoyed much of my career because of the people I worked with and for, but after experiencing several reorganizations, downsizing, mergers, acquisitions, or modifications just to do things differently, I came to the realization that these large companies did not have my interests or security in mind when they made changes. The competition forced them to transform and often made big adjustments that sent the staff into turmoil while trying to regroup as an organization. At times those changes had the desired effect and moved the company forward. At other times they simply realized the unintended consequences of the shifts and it forced them to tweak or revise processes just to get back on track.

If you find you are stuck in that corporate rut and go to bed on Sunday night regretting the upcoming week, it’s time to explore other options. I am not suggesting quitting your job, but rather exploring new opportunities before the company re-assigns you or “deselects” you during the next corporate restructuring.

Here are the steps I found that helped me create a new destination:

• First, you must turn on your “GPS” (Goal Producing System as Jack Canfield calls it). Like any GPS it is useless unless it knows where you are right now. It can’t help you get to your destination without first knowing your starting point. Begin by considering where you are and taking inventory. What I mean is, evaluate your current situation, your abilities and superpowers. What skills and strengths have you developed that you want to use daily and which weaknesses do you want to avoid? Who do you enjoy helping while you do your best work?
• Next, imagine where you want to go and what you want to do. Think about your dream job or profession and daily activities that will allow you to thrive, live your purpose and contribute to others while still being able to support your lifestyle? What activities are you doing daily in that occupation and which skills are you using? How are you help others? What other options are there? Perhaps it is a new company, new industry, or becoming an entrepreneur.
• Now, choose your new direction and preferably a specific destination. Your GPS cannot take you to a vague location, you need to tell it the exact address that you are seeking.
• Create a plan to transition to that new life in the next 6-12 months. Your GPS has many routes to choose from, including the scenic route or the fastest route. Who can you talk to who has already made the shift? What skills do you need to develop? Do you need a mentor or coach? Is there a book, course, or workshop you need to invest in? What must happen so you can be in position to make the change, such as saving enough money for the trip?
• Lastly, consider what will your life look like in 1, 3, and 5 years from now after you make that change? What will you accomplish and how will that make you feel to be living your purpose and being fulfilled? And now I want you to consider the opposite – how will you feel in 5 years if you are still trading days for dollars? How will your health, attitude, and family be affected if you don’t make this change?

To paraphrase that old Chinese statement: The best day to change your career and your life was 20 years ago, the second-best day is today.

The journey is not for the faint of heart or the fearful, but it is for those who want to make a greater impact. We all have a limited number of days in our lives, are you willing to trade even one more for a mediocre life when yours can be marvelous?

The author, Steve Karski transitioned out of corporate life in 2018 and created his own company, Karski Learning Solutions, LLC. They help teams work better together and individuals who have plateaued or are stuck in their careers. You can reach him at www.stevekarski.com.