{
  "id": 12588921,
  "title": "Have you outgrown your career—or just need a small change? Follow these steps to find out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/have-you-outgrown-your-career-or-just-need-a-small-change-follow",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91616504/have-you-outgrown-your-career-or-just-need-a-small-change-follow-these-steps-to-find-out"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Many individuals find themselves questioning whether they have outgrown their career or simply need a small adjustment. Although changing jobs or careers can be a solution, it's not always feasible due to economic shifts and the financial cost. To determine whether drastic change is necessary or if minor adjustments could suffice, follow these steps:\n\n1. Be mindful of your body's signals. Physical discomfort or emotional distress, such as frequent anxiety attacks, can indicate that your work environment is causing stress. In Alexander Poulsen's case, he experienced stomach pains and anxiety despite having no physical ailments. It was only after his job termination that he discovered his passion for photography.\n\n2. Recognize activities that drain you and those that energize you. A stressful work environment can lead to burnout, as Vanessa Cornell discovered after spending years as a Goldman Sachs executive and hotel developer. She realized she had been \"burning myself out trying to meet everyone's expectations.\" Instead, she found fulfillment in creating newsletters and digital communities, which energized her and contributed to her productivity and happiness.\n\n3. Identify moments of joy in your work and beyond. Instead of waiting for happiness to be a reward for hard work, look for signs of joy within your current circumstances or activities. Cornell advises people to find micro-joys in their jobs, such as positive relationships with colleagues, and then nurture those aspects to increase overall satisfaction.\n\n4. Clarify your likes, dislikes, and preferences. It's essential to explore what you enjoy doing in both work and personal life. While it may seem that you need to pursue prestigious or smart career paths, Cornell notes that focusing on your genuine interests can provide the stamina to keep working hard. She emphasizes that there's a significant difference between feeling forced into a job and genuinely loving what you do.\n\n5. Define your goals and needs. External circumstances impact the kind of change you can make. Poulsen, for example, was able to transition careers with the help of Denmark's sickness benefit, which allowed him time to address his health and explore new opportunities. Cornell advises people not to rush into drastic changes without considering their financial situation and long-term goals. Take time to assess what you truly want and need before making significant decisions in your career.",
  "summary": "You’ve been working hard at your job for several years, ticking off milestones your younger self could have only dreamed of. Then one day you look around and wonder why you wanted this in the first place. Or perhaps you pursued what you thought was your dream role , but you realize that there are a lot of things about it that you don’t like. Many people spend a lot of their waking hours at work,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}