Yesterday, did you ever stare at your computer screen and wonder, "Is this all there is?"

If you did (or if not yesterday, in the recent past), you can join millions of people worldwide who were thinking the same thing.

Yet how many people do something about it?

Understanding our motivational skills is essential for finding fulfillment and happiness in our careers. These skills energize us, allowing us to feel accomplished and happy.

With the start of a new year, many people think about making positive changes in their lives. We all know the common ones, like losing weight and eating better. But did you know that one of the top five resolutions in 2021 was career-related? It was “Pursuing a Career Ambition.”Given the “Great Resignation” made headlines in 2021, no doubt making a change in one’s career will rank high on the list for 2022.

So are you thinking about one?

How will you know if it is time to quit your job?

In the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday in November. It is a great time to review the happenings of the past 11 months and give thanks for the good things that have happened. It has been a fascinating year for those of us helping job seekers find exciting and fulfilling work. 2021 has been the year of the "Great Resignation," hybrid work, and vaccine mandates. There have been several positive trends in employment and recruiting that I am pleased to see.

Whether you quit without having another position is an individual decision, and the choice has to be the right one for you, based upon your circumstances.

Most people do not understand how third-party recruiters (non-company-based) work in the marketplace. You may not have ever worked with one before. If you understand the business model (especially how they get paid), you will better understand how they operate and how to best work with one of these recruiters.

Some people believe that a job is just something you have to endure. I do not and will not believe that. While I do not think your work has to be a passion project, I do think that if you know yourself and what you are good at and like to do, you can find opportunities that are a good fit. From my two examples, it wasn't because I got lucky. I had a plan. I knew what I wanted. I proactively looked for the right opportunities and did not settle.

To show value, you need to understand your audience. Figure out what they value, and in all aspects of your job search, demonstrate this value. Doing so time-and-time again demonstrates your personal brand.

What this means is that all effort is not created equal. The application of this as a job seeker is that not all activities are created equal. To be the most effective, you have to identify the activities that are likely to give you the most return on investment, that 20%, and put 80% of your effort behind them.