In today’s fast-paced business world, the ability to recognize when it’s time for a career change can mean the difference between stagnation and growth. Across Asia’s thriving economies—where innovation, emerging technologies, and leadership often collide—leaders, entrepreneurs, and high achievers constantly face the question: Am I still on the right path?
Natalia Cano, a seasoned professional whose insights resonate globally, recently shared a powerful checklist that’s been sparking conversations about career satisfaction and self-awareness. Her framework identifies seven key signals that indicate it’s time for a career change, whether you’re leading a tech startup, driving transformation in a multinational, or pushing boundaries as an investor.
For the ambitious minds in Asia’s entrepreneurial and corporate ecosystems, these signs serve as a wake-up call to evaluate, reflect, and ultimately act. Career plateaus, misalignment with personal values, or burnout shouldn’t be dismissed as inevitable—they’re opportunities to redefine your goals and rediscover fulfillment.
Highlights
1. The Sunday Scaries Strike Early
If you feel dread about the upcoming week as early as Friday, it’s more than just a bad day—it’s a signal. You might feel anxious or unmotivated because of toxic work culture, poor leadership, or a lack of challenge.
What to Do: Reflect on what specifically triggers this feeling. Is it the leadership style, stagnant work culture, or your current role? Consider talking to a trusted mentor or a coach who can help dissect your feelings. If the issues can’t be resolved internally, it may be time to move forward.
2. You’re Coasting, Not Growing
If you’re just clocking in and out without enthusiasm, it means your growth has stalled. High performers and visionaries thrive on challenges and opportunities to innovate. If those are absent, your professional fire will dim.
What to Do: Revisit your career goals. Define what success means to you. Are you aiming for leadership, launching your startup, or moving to a disruptive industry like AI, clean tech, or fintech? Reframe your priorities and identify the skills or networks needed to take the next leap.
3. Your Values No Longer Align
Misalignment between your personal values and your company’s mission creates internal conflict. For leaders and innovators, this disconnect can feel especially jarring when integrity and vision drive your decision-making.
What to Do: Define your core values—your non-negotiables. Are impact, autonomy, or purpose central to your career satisfaction? Look for opportunities or industries that mirror your principles. For instance, if sustainability matters deeply, consider industries like green tech or climate-focused ventures.
4. Your Health Is Suffering
Long hours, toxic cultures, or constant stress can take a toll—physically and mentally. Burnout is common in fast-paced environments like startups and leadership roles, but it shouldn’t become the norm.
What to Do: Evaluate your mental and physical well-being. Leaders often overlook their own health while focusing on the team’s success. If burnout is consuming you, prioritize recovery. Explore options that promote wellness, such as roles with healthier work-life boundaries or cultures focused on mental health.
5. You’re Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparing yourself to peers or competitors can be a motivation killer. You may feel you’re falling behind, but success isn’t linear—especially in industries driven by innovation.
What to Do: Shift the focus inward. Ask yourself, What does my success look like? For example, in Asia’s growing tech scene, are you building a strong network, creating impactful products, or laying the foundation for long-term achievements? Celebrate progress, not just milestones.
6. You’re Undervalued
If your ideas, contributions, or leadership are consistently overlooked, it can erode your confidence. This feeling hits harder in competitive environments where recognition and rewards matter.
What to Do: Assess your market value. Research salary benchmarks and evaluate how your skills align with emerging industries or technologies. If growth opportunities are limited, consider roles or organizations that will value your unique expertise—perhaps in sectors like AI-driven startups or digital transformation projects.
7. You’re Not Excited About the Future
If your career vision doesn’t inspire you, it’s a clear sign to step back and reassess. Leaders and innovators thrive on imagining and building exciting futures.
What to Do: Envision your dream career. Where do you see yourself creating the most impact? Could it be leading a tech-driven organization, starting your own venture, or pivoting to emerging fields like Web3, robotics, or clean energy? Don’t just dream—start mapping actionable steps to get there.
What’s Next? Your Pivot Blueprint
Recognizing these signs is only the beginning. Here’s how to make your next move count:
- Reflect Deeply: Understand the why behind your dissatisfaction. Self-awareness will guide you.
- Define Your Goals: Whether you’re chasing autonomy, innovation, or financial growth, be crystal clear about your priorities.
- Build Your Network: In Asia’s interconnected business scene, mentors, peers, and investors are critical for career transitions. Attend industry events or seek out entrepreneurial hubs.
- Upskill Strategically: Leverage Asia’s dynamic landscape to learn new skills. Emerging tech trends like AI, sustainability, and digital transformation offer fresh opportunities.
- Take Calculated Risks: Change requires courage, especially for leaders. Trust your instincts and move forward with purpose.
Change as a Catalyst for Growth
Career change is not an admission of failure; it is often the spark that ignites your next great chapter. For Asia’s entrepreneurs, C-suite leaders, and innovators, the ability to pivot with purpose is a hallmark of success. Each of Natalia Cano’s seven signs of career change serves as a guidepost—a reminder to pause, evaluate, and ask yourself, Am I building the future I truly want?
Whether you’re leading a high-growth startup, shaping corporate strategy, or investing in tomorrow’s ideas, your career is a reflection of your values, ambitions, and passion. If these signs resonate, see them as opportunities to pursue something more aligned, impactful, and fulfilling.
Highlights
Editor’s note: The original article was written by Nathalia Cano on Linkedin, titled “7 Signs It Is Time For A Career Change (And What To Do Next)”
Read this article in Chinese here.
