In June 2000, I felt incredibly "not good" about my job working as a successful account manager for a training firm. Even though my employer was voted as one of the 50 best managed private firms in Canada, and I was surrounded by wonderful coworkers and supported by the best boss I ever had, I intuitively felt, without being able to explain it, that I was not in my "right" place. 

I say "not good" because I really did not feel bad at all. It was the best job I ever had, period. Yet, something was sorely missing. My guts told me through mysterious vibrations that cannot be described by words, that I was simply not where I wanted to be. Something deep inside of me wanted something "different" although at the time, I was supremely incapable of articulating what that "different" thing was.

So I handed in my resignation and realized shortly thereafter, with an appropriate sense of panic, that I had just committed what sane and rational people would refer to as "career suicide"!

To make a long story short, I embarked upon an exciting journey to find my true self. It took me 5 years to figure out what I truly wanted to become (a creative knowledge writer!), but I thoroughly enjoyed those 5 years of joyful exploration.

What I've learned is that one's inner guidance system (which is mostly emotional) cannot fail. This is why I ask the question, "How do you feel about your career?"

If you wish to probe your own feelings about your work, these words could be helpful in identifying your emotional states: worried, bored, hopeful, optimistic, overwhelmed, content, frustrated, discouraged, angry, enthusiastic, happy, eager, passionate, joyous, empowered. 

I would be interested to know how you feel and why you feel as you do, and can offer some answers to your questions if you wish.

This "emotional exploration" exercise is helpful whether you share your findings with others (significant other, friends, relatives, coworkers, etc.) or not. It's just a way to know yourself better, especially at the emotional level where happiness is either present or not.

In our scientifically based society, we tend to think that objectivity is the best guide when it comes to evaluating the health of a career. Specifically, we tend to think that as long as one's career is moving forward (in terms of financial compensation or professional competency or managerial responsibilities), then everything is alright.

We might have forgotten that happiness -- including happiness at work -- is determined by how we feel inside, not by what surrounds us on the outside.