Have you ever felt that sensation of floating, anxiety, and confusion when thinking about your professional life?
If you are currently telling yourself “I am lost in my professional life“, you are not alone.
In this article, we will guide you step by step to help you overcome this difficult period and find your way.
Follow our practical advice and discover scientific references to better understand each step.
12 Steps to Take Back Control of Your Professional Life
Step 1: Identify the Source of Your Feeling of Loss
According to the theory of self-determination by Deci & Ryan (2000), fundamental psychological needs are autonomy, competence, and social belonging. If these needs are not met, it can lead to a feeling of dissatisfaction and loss.
To solve a problem, it is essential to first identify its cause.
Ask yourself what makes you feel lost in your professional life.
Is it due to a lack of motivation, recognition, or career prospects?
Perhaps you are struggling to adapt to a new work environment or position.
By answering these questions, you will be able to manage your emotions better and take action to change your situation.
Practical Tip
Take a notebook and write down the reasons why you feel lost.
This will help you better understand the situation and determine the actions to take to remedy it.
Step 2: Analyze Your Skills and Interests
The theories of multiple intelligences by Gardner (1983) and personality traits by Costa & McCrae (1992) can help you better understand your skills and interests, as well as identify areas where you can excel.
Once you have identified the source of your feeling of loss, it’s time to assess your skills and interests.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are you passionate about and motivated by?
By answering these questions, you will be able to take steps to focus more on what you are passionate about and what sets you apart from others.
Practical Tip
Conduct a skills assessment, using online tests or by consulting a professional. This will give you a better idea of your strengths and areas for improvement.
Step 3: Define Your Professional Goals
Goal setting is closely linked to motivation and performance, as shown by Locke & Latham (1990) in their goal-setting theory. Clear and precise goals will help you feel less lost and direct your efforts in the right direction.
After analyzing your skills and interests, it’s time to define your professional goals.
What do you want to achieve?
What kind of position or company attracts you?
What are your criteria for a fulfilling job?
By answering these questions, you will be able to focus on the professional goal that best suits your abilities and professional needs.
Practical Tip
Use the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) to define your professional goals.
This will make them more concrete and achievable. To go further on this subject, I invite you to read my article on how to achieve goals.
Step 4: Develop an Action Plan
The concept of self-efficacy by Bandura (1997) suggests that confidence in one’s ability to perform specific tasks influences motivation and performance. A well-structured action plan strengthens your sense of self-efficacy and helps you overcome your feelings of loss.
Now that you have defined your professional goals, it’s time to put in place an action plan to achieve them.
What are the steps to follow to get closer to your goals?
What resources and skills do you need to acquire?
By answering these questions, you will be able to prioritize the actions you need to take to reach your career goal.
Practical Tip
Make a list of actions to undertake to achieve each of your goals.
Establish a timeline with deadlines to give you a framework and motivate you to move forward.
Step 5: Seek Support
Social support plays a crucial role in well-being and job satisfaction, as shown by numerous studies.
Do not hesitate to seek the help of a life transition coach to overcome your feelings of loss and move toward your professional goals.
Do not remain isolated with your feeling of loss. Talk about it with loved ones, colleagues, or mentors. They can offer you advice, encouragement, or simply a listening ear.
Practical Tip
Join online discussion groups or forums dedicated to your industry.
You will be able to exchange with others in the same situation as you and benefit from their experience and advice.
Step 6: Adopt a Positive and Proactive Attitude
The self-regulation theory by Carver & Scheier (1982) emphasizes the importance of optimism and perseverance in overcoming difficulties and achieving goals.
Mindset is a determining factor in how we face challenges and obstacles.
Adopting a positive and proactive attitude will help you overcome your feelings of loss and take back control of your professional life.
Practical Tip
Practice positive thinking and visualization. Imagine yourself in situations where you succeed and achieve your goals. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.
Step 7: Regularly Review Your Goals and Action Plan
Feedback and evaluation are key elements of learning and professional development, as demonstrated by Kolb (1984) in his theory of experiential learning.
By regularly reviewing your goals and action plan, you optimize your chances of success and professional fulfillment.
Circumstances of life and your priorities can evolve over time.
Therefore, it is important to regularly review your professional goals and action plan to ensure they remain relevant and adapted to your needs.
Practical Tip
Schedule times to evaluate your progress and adjust your action plan accordingly.
This will allow you to remain flexible and adapt to changes that may occur in your professional life.
Step 8: Take Care of Your Overall Well-being
Research has shown that psychological and physical well-being is closely linked to job satisfaction and performance at work. Taking care of yourself in all aspects of your life will help you better manage your professional situation and feel less lost.
To no longer feel lost in your professional life, it is also crucial to take care of your overall well-being. Stress, fatigue, and personal problems can affect your perception of your professional situation and exacerbate your feelings of confusion and loss.
Practical Tip
Incorporate relaxing and energizing activities into your daily routine, such as meditation, yoga, physical exercise, or practicing a hobby.
Also, make sure to get enough sleep and maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Step 9: Do Not Hesitate to Ask for Feedback on Your Work
According to the social learning theory of Bandura (1977), feedback and observations from others are essential sources of learning and development. By asking for feedback on your work, you will better understand what works and what needs to be improved.
Constructive feedback from your colleagues, superiors, or mentors can help you better understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
This will also give you a better idea of how your work is perceived by others and can help you adjust your approach if necessary.
Practical Tip
Regularly ask for feedback on your work and be open to constructive criticism.
Use this information to refine your skills and improve your professional performance.
Step 10: Consider the Possibility of Changing Paths
Research by Kalleberg (2009) shows that individuals who change careers may find greater professional fulfillment and a better balance between work and personal life.
Changing paths can be a solution to overcome your feeling of loss and give new meaning to your professional life.
If despite all your efforts, you still feel lost in your professional life, it may be time to consider a career change.
Changing paths can be a difficult decision, but sometimes necessary to find professional and personal fulfillment.
You will need to redo your resume, your cover letter, but also prepare for job interviews.
If you need advice on creating your resume, I invite you to read my article on how to write a resume.
If, on the other hand, you do not want to prepare it yourself, you can have your resume written by a professional.
Practical Tip
Take the time to reflect on your motivations for changing careers and evaluate the options available to you. Consult career guidance professionals to guide you in this process.
Step 11: Stay Up-to-Date in Your Field of Expertise
The theory of lifelong learning by Jarvis (2009) emphasizes the importance of education and continuous learning for personal and professional development.
By staying up-to-date in your field, you reduce the risk of feeling lost and increase your chances of professional success.
In a constantly evolving world, it is important to stay up-to-date in your field of expertise to avoid feeling outdated or lost.
Acquiring new skills and knowledge will allow you to expand your scope of action and strengthen your self-confidence.
Practical Tip
Sign up for training, workshops, or conferences in your field, and regularly read articles or specialized blogs.
Exchange with your peers to stay informed of the latest trends and innovations.
Step 12: Learn to Manage Failure and Unforeseen Events
Resilience, or the ability to overcome difficulties and failures, is a key factor for success and well-being in professional life, as shown by the work of Luthar & al. (2000).
By developing your resilience, you will be better equipped to handle challenges and no longer feel lost in your professional life.
Failure and unforeseen events are an integral part of professional life, and knowing how to manage them is essential to avoid feeling lost or overwhelmed.
Learn to accept these situations as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than as insurmountable obstacles.
Practical Tip
When faced with failure or an unforeseen event, take the time to reflect on what went wrong and what you can do differently in the future.
Remember that failure is part of the learning process and that you will emerge stronger and more experienced.
Conclusion on How to Take Back Control of Your Professional Life
By applying these twelve steps, you can gradually overcome your feeling of loss in your professional life and take back control of your career.
Remember that change is inevitable and that it is normal to feel lost at certain moments.
The key is to stay positive, take steps to better understand yourself, and surround yourself with support to continue moving toward professional fulfillment.
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Français : Je suis perdue dans ma vie professionnelle : comment reprendre le contrôle ?
Italiano: Perso nella tua vita lavorativa? Scopri come riprendere il controllo della situazione