Career choices and changes are intertwined with your identity. Sadly, you were probably left on your own to figure out your career direction or navigate mid-life career changes. As a result, you might have ended up with an identity hangover.

They look like this:
The Open-Door Hangover:
Due to luck or outstanding networking connections, you might find a series of career opportunities through warm introductions. Rather than hassle with resumes and interviews, you walk through the open doors, not struggling or selecting. You see the potential in front of you and accept it.

I've seen the results of this scenario often in my career coaching private practice. Clients report they have been fortunate to avoid having to hunt for a job. But now the open door is not available and they feel lost. On the surface is the pain of having to construct a job search. But, more importantly, underneath they feel a lack of identity clarity. Each unexamined career choice adds up leaving you uncertain, anxious and perhaps a bit resentful. Now you have to dig in and figure out how you are.

The Head in the Sand Hangover:
This shows up when you have settled for unsatisfactory career opportunities because you think it's the best you can do. The job is unrewarding but it pays the bills. You get by day after day trying to find the bright spots in your career as your soul is slowly dying.

Your number one strategy is to stick your head in the sand, not thinking about career alternatives or your deeper dreams. You live for the weekends and convince yourself things are good enough.

The Mid-Life Hangover:
The mid-life hangover is the logical conclusion of sticking your head in the sand. Your job keeps delivering blows. The work is boring or overwhelming. Your boss keeps criticizing you and ignoring your requests for developmental opportunities. Your best friend on the job secures his dream job and you are left behind.

Each affront makes it harder and harder for you to ignore the building existential crisis. Finally, you hit the wall--it's a full-blown mid-life hangover. You've consumed far too many career disappointments. Now it is time to face the results of your accumulated despair.

Wow, this is all pretty dark Helen. Well, yes, it is but I write this newsletter every week aspiring to share something relevant and meaningful. I hope these comments about the intersection of career satisfaction and identity help explain a thing or two about some of your biggest career-related challenges.

Let me end on a brighter note. Identity hangovers are opportunities for growth. The relief comes when you take control of your life and commit to figuring out who you really are and what will be deeply fulfilling for you.

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