Have you been working for the same organization for a number of years and need a change? Do you feel a sense of dread on Sunday night knowing you have to get up on Monday and go to work? Are you questioning whether you should be doing something more fulfilling with your life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you’re not alone!

In Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace study, 70% of those who participated described themselves as “disengaged” from their work. They surveyed over 150,000 people and only 30% of them responded that they enjoyed their work. Depending on which study you read the percentage will vary, but the point remains the same. Too many people are unhappy with what they are doing and whom they are doing it for!

If you could change what you do without losing it all, what would you do? I ask my clients this question all the time, and 9 times out of 10, their answer is – I don’t know.

Most people don’t know where to begin when thinking about what they’d like to do next.  This is often the most difficult step in the career transition process and a step that anyone even considering a transition should spend a good deal of time on.

Where do you begin finding the answer? Consider asking yourself why? Why do you do what you do? When was the last time you truly felt good about what you were doing? Spending time thinking about those moments that made you feel like you were truly making a difference can make all the difference in the world as to whether you’ll end up happy in your next position.

To get you started on thinking about why you do what you do, take a look at the TED talk below by Simon Sinek. It’s one of the most frequently viewed TED talks out there and one that many of my clients have never even heard of! If this doesn’t inspire you to think about why you do what you do, I don’t know what will! It is definitely worth the 18-minute view!

To gain deeper insight into your why, consider reading Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why?