People are naturally compelled to compare themselves to others. When you look at another person’s career, especially if they are high-achieving, it is easy to wonder, “What am I doing with my life?” and have doubts about your direction.

Often, professionals keep these thoughts to themselves, even though almost everyone experiences them at one time or another. This is especially true if you are in the middle of a tough job search and just can’t seem to land a position that feels like the right step forward.

While you may not be able to stop wondering, “What am I doing with my career?” that doesn’t mean you aren’t heading in the right direction. If you find yourself plagued by doubts, here’s what you need to know.

First and foremost, it is important that having these thoughts is both normal and common. Even highly successful people can struggle with doubt, especially if something unexpected happens in your career or you are not finding the new job opportunity that you were hoping to land.

Typically, these emotions are somewhat a mix of admiration for what someone else has accomplished and disappointment about where you are in comparison. It’s okay to battle these feelings, but it is also crucial that you don’t dwell. Instead, you want to take action.

After you recognize your emotions, you need to figure out what you can do to move forward. This can be challenging, especially if you already work hard and haven’t reached your desired level of success. However, it isn’t impossible, as long as you are diligent and willing to take a look at your career.

Begin by documenting where you are today and reflect on the steps it took to get there. By reflecting on your journey, you can see how far you’ve actually come, and that can give you valuable perspective.

Next, think about your priorities. While it may be nice to be further up the career ladder or in a different profession, are there other things you deem more important? Ultimately, there are only so many hours in a day, so you need to decide what matters to you most before you make a move.

Then, consider where you want to be in the future and figure out what steps lie between you and your ideal role. This allows you to craft an action plan based on what needs to occur for you to advance and reach your perfect job.

By using the tips above, you can make sure you are in full control of your career by being ready to take action if necessary. However, if other things are more important, take a moment to appreciate those areas of your life. That may be all you need to get the emotional relief you need to continue on your chosen path.

If you are looking for more career guidance, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our knowledgeable staff today and see how our career planning expertise can benefit you. Or click here to browse our open jobs today!