Ready to Quit Your Job?
Feeling stuck in a career you no longer love? You’re not alone. Many of us reach a point where our jobs feel draining, unfulfilling, and out of sync with who we are. The idea of change sounds exciting but also terrifying. In the latest episode of Sleep Like a Boss podcast, we explored insights from international career coach, author, and podcast host Yeşim Nicholson, who has helped people worldwide rediscover their passion for work. In that episode, she’s sharing her top secrets to reclaiming joy, purpose - and sleep! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, Yesim’s advice will guide you through practical steps to get unstuck and back on the path to career happiness.
Why Job Dissatisfaction Is So Common
According to Yeşim, many of us feel trapped in jobs that don’t align with our true selves. Often, this happens because we didn’t actively choose our careers with intention - life, education, and societal expectations pushed us in certain directions. Add to that a work environment that doesn’t reflect your values or a lack of purpose, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel unmotivated. She explains that burnout and poor sleep often go hand in hand with job dissatisfaction. When we’re mentally checked out of work, it’s hard to find the energy for anything else - including restful sleep.
4 Ways to Find Career Fulfillment
Yeşim has identified four potential paths that can lead you from career dissatisfaction to fulfillment:
Remainder: Sometimes, it’s not the job itself that’s the problem but the way we approach it. By shifting your mindset and practicing gratitude, you might discover that your current role is more fulfilling than you thought.
Tweaker: Maybe your job is mostly a good fit, but a few adjustments could make all the difference. Tweakers look for small changes - like flexible hours, new projects, or slight shifts in responsibilities - to improve their day-to-day experience.
Toe Dipper: If you feel a curiosity about other career paths but aren’t ready for a major leap, you’re a toe dipper. These individuals explore new interests through side projects, classes, or volunteering without committing to a full career change.
Leaper: For those ready to embrace big change, leapers take bold steps into new fields or industries. After thorough reflection, they realize a complete career shift is necessary and are willing to take the risk for a more fulfilling life.
The Surprising Connection Between Sleep and Career Fulfillment
One of the more eye-opening insights from Yeşimis the link between better sleep and career satisfaction. When you’re stuck in a job that drains you, it’s hard to sleep well. This creates a cycle of exhaustion that makes change feel impossible. But by focusing on improving your sleep and overall well-being, you can clear the mental fog and regain the energy needed to tackle career changes. Small steps like establishing a bedtime routine, practicing mindfulness, and creating boundaries at work can help you feel more rested - and more ready to take on new opportunities.
Another key thing to pay attention to is self- reflection. Self-reflection is extremely important when it comes to breaking free from the cycle of career dissatisfaction. To help you with this, Yeşim suggests keeping a daily journal where you track what tasks energize you and which ones leave you drained. Over time, patterns will emerge that offer valuable clues about what kind of work truly brings you joy. This process can help you identify whether small tweaks or a larger shift is necessary.
“When you’re stuck in a job that drains you, it’s hard to sleep well. This creates a cycle of exhaustion that makes change feel impossible.”
Overcoming the Fear of Change
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of switching careers? That’s normal. Our brains are wired to resist change, especially when it involves uncertainty. But instead of hiding from this feeling, Yeşim encourages embracing this discomfort because stepping outside your comfort zone is often where the most significant growth happens. Even small actions - like updating your LinkedIn profile or reaching out to someone in a field that interests you—can create momentum and help you start the transition process.
But if you’re still not sure where to begin or feel stuck in your self-reflection, then maybe a career coach can provide invaluable support. Yeşim emphasizes the role of a coach in offering an outside perspective, asking the right questions, and helping you navigate through uncertainty. Coaches guide you toward clarity by challenging assumptions and highlighting strengths you may have overlooked. They don’t tell you what to do—they help you discover the answers within yourself.
So, as you can see, finding career happiness is a journey, not a destination. Whether you need to tweak your current role, explore side projects, or take a leap into something entirely new, Yeşim is here to remind you that career dissatisfaction doesn’t have to be a permanent state. By focusing on your well-being, improving your sleep, and taking small actionable steps, you can reclaim joy and purpose in your work. It’s never too late to create a life that energizes and fulfills you.
If you’re interested in learning more about Yeşim and her work, you can connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn and also take a look at her YouTube channel and her website.
