12 questions to help you with your career dilemma

There are times in life when we naturally begin to question our career. Perhaps you've returned from a holiday feeling reluctant to go back to work, reached a milestone birthday, experienced a change in your personal life or simply found yourself wondering, "Is this really what I want to be doing?"

These moments of reflection can stir up all sorts of emotions. They may even prompt conversations with friends and family about your future.

Once those conversations are over, however, the reality of an unfulfilled career can remain, and that's often when it's time to pause and ask yourself some honest questions.

There are no right or wrong answers. Give yourself time to reflect and, if you can, write your answers down. You may be surprised by the patterns that begin to emerge.

1. If you're in the same job in 12 months' time, what impact will that have on you and your state of mind?
2. If you're in the same job in 12 months' time, what impact will this have on your work-life balance?
3. Think about the skills you're using in your current job. Do you enjoy using these skills?
4. Think about the values of the company you work for. To what extent are they in line with your own values?
5. What is important to you about work?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7. Are you doing what you believe in or simply tolerating what you do?
8. Are you a different person at work than you are outside of work?
9. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we often so afraid to make one?
10. When did you last have a really good day at work? How often do you have good days?
11. To what degree have you really controlled the course of your career?
12. If not now, when?

Take some time to sit with your answers rather than feeling you need to act immediately.

Sometimes simply asking yourself better questions creates the clarity you've been looking for. You may decide that your current role is still the right one, or you may realise it's time to start exploring new possibilities.

Whatever you discover, remember that meaningful career change rarely begins with having all the answers. More often, it starts with being willing to ask yourself the right questions.