Are you one of the millions of working adults who are miserable, chronically isolated plugging away behind your Zoom screen or being forced back to the office? Sorry to say, you are not alone. A report from BambooHR found that the overall average employee satisfaction score in December 2023 dropped to the lowest overall average score since 2019.

With so many people stuck in career misery, I thought I’d offer a simple roadmap for you, or anyone you know, to put their career back on track.

Start with Your Mindset

Understand where you are in the Elevate Career Cycle. Chances are, you are at the Crossroad, dealing with declining self-esteem and overwhelming uncertainty. Your anxiety is spiking, and you cannot focus.

You cannot make great decisions in a state of mental confusion. You must settle down, get support from a great listener, and ground yourself. When you feel you are back in your body, breathing normally, you can proceed to the next step.

Engage in Self-Assessment

Your understanding of your career-related values, enjoyable skills, interests, and natural-born temperament are the foundation of great career choices. If you move forward without an up-to-date review of your talents, you will likely make an impulsive, fear-based move—and end up worse off. Thoughtfully complete the Elevations Career Choice, Career Change assessment.

Communicate Your Vision

Great careers are not found on job sites. People you know or people you are introduced to are the key to a powerful job search. Communicate your intentions (field, function, industry, location, and passion) both in writing and interpersonally. The more focused and clear you are, the quicker you will be negotiating offers.

My final piece of advice is related to your perspective. Your career is an essential aspect of your identity, financial security, and life satisfaction. It is worth every ounce of effort you expend to put yourself in the ranks of the few who truly love what they do.