Are you happy with the way your career is going, or is it time to reinvent your occupational self? Think about where you're at right now and where you want to go, advises a leading career expert.

Abracadabra! You're five years old again. Where do you see yourself? I picture myself once again sharing great excitement with my grandfather during one of my regular visits to the bookbindery where he worked. Filled with the splendor and wonder of books, I remember how I longed to become a writer. However, by the time I needed to choose my college major, I was convinced that a writing career was an unrealistic goal, so I yielded to the notion that I was pursuing an impossible dream. Luckily, some years later I managed to put those feelings aside and take the plunge. And here I am, 32 books and 500 articles later, joining you here twice each month!

Now, how about you? Are you happy with the way your career is going, or is it time to reinvent your occupational self? Think about where you're at right now and where you want to go. Try the following quiz to gain some important insights.

Answer yes or no to each question.

1. Are you really happy in your present job?
2. Are you comfortable with the work pace you must keep?
3. Do you feel that you are being fairly compensated financially?
4. Do you feel valued, rewarded, and appreciated for what you contribute?
5. Are your working hours compatible with your lifestyle needs?
6. Are you content with the amount of job security your position seems to offer?
7. Do you like the technical level of your job?
8. Are you compatible with the people you work for and alongside? Do you respect them and do they respect you?
9. Is there a clear-cut path for you to advance?
10. Did you choose your present career because it was your passion?

Examine your "no" answers. Do they prompt you to consider making some career changes? If so, how can you create a happier job life?

Setting your sights
Start by focusing on the specific areas of your work situation that are lacking. Is it

• the work you do?
• where you do it?
• whom you do it with?

Analyze these three categories to decide which of these areas needs change. If it's the work itself, consider a switch to another department at your present company, a change in career path, or a return to classes or some other type of training that will open up new job opportunities.

If you're not happy with where you're doing the work, explore a change in the physical premises or a move to another location (perhaps closer to family or nearer to increased job opportunities in your industry).

If it's your colleagues that are making you unhappy, well, you can't change them, but you can change yourself. Try adjusting your attitude to get along better, accepting people as they are, or switching to another department or another job.

Set up a time frame within which you will accomplish various parts of your plan. Break things down into small steps (goals) so that you can feel a sense of accomplishment as you work towards your larger goals.

Here are some examples that could fit under "Short Range - Within the week":

• I will spend one hour surfing the Web for other U.S. cities that interest me.
• I will send out e-mails to three individuals who could serve as mentors for me.
• I will read a book about a different career that interests me.

Short Range
With the week
One week
Two weeks
Three weeks
First month

Long Range
Three months
Six months
One year
Two years
Three years
Four years
Five years
Ten years

Give a trusted friend or business associate a copy of your plan and have him or her serve as your coach. Make sure you receive a stiff reprimand if you ignore your deadlines!

Regularly check back and take stock of how you are doing. Are you moving in the right direction? Are you still content with the plan you created? Do you need to revise it? Will it get you where you want to go?

A well-crafted, sensible plan plus a serious work ethic will point you towards success!

Jan Goldberg is the author of over 20 books focusing on careers and more than 500 articles for national, regional, and online publications. She welcomes suggestions for future columns at JGCareers@aol.com.

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