I'm starting to realize I might have climbed the wrong ladder. I've invested 10 years in a career I'm not sure I want anymore. The thought of starting over is terrifying, but so is continuing. How do you know when to cut your losses versus push through?

Years ago, someone wrote to Dear Abby/Ann Landers and expressed an interest in returning to school, but said "in four years, when I finish my degree, I will be XX years old", and got the famous reply "and if you don't go back to school and finish your degree, how old will you be in 4 years?"

First of all, in today's work environment, it's quite uncommon to go an entire career in the same field, much less the same company.

You feel you wasted 10 years. But you've certainly grown and learned, and become a more valuable employee. And sure, it would be great to get those 10 years back. But if you change jobs/careers today, you can start over. And it will take 10 years to get to where you are now, in the new career. But if you stay where you are, in 10 years you will be the same age, but not have the benefit of having starting over now, and having as much time in a new postion.

The best time to make a change is 10 years ago. But the second best time to make a change is tomorrow. And only one of those is an option now.

How do you know when it's time? It sounds like you already know. You're just looking for validation. But you need validation from yourself, not a bunch of strangers on the internet.

You want permission to make the change? I'm more than happy to grant said permission. But my permission is the last thing you need.

One thing that’s helped me is just thinking about which parts of my work actually energize me versus which ones drain me. It can make it easier to figure out if it’s worth sticking it out or switching gears. Has anyone else realized early on they might be on the wrong path but still struggled with making a change? It wasn’t until later in my career that I started realizing I might need that change.

If you've reached that decision it's probably best to explore ways to follow through on it. Think about what else you'd want to do and try to do a career pivot into that. You no doubt have transferable skills, jot down some notes about those and write a new resume geared toward going into another field. You won't know how it goes until you give it a try.

I feel the exact same way. I’ve even with my company for that long and I’m switching up my career path this year. I need change asap and I’m ready to do so. I’ve learn to cut losses when I no longer feel like working and not caring about the company.

This was me 2 years ago. I finally had to take the jump. Financially I can't help but think it was a mistake, however mentally I am so much more fulfilled. I am still looking for new work that pays more, which has been a challenge.

Sounds like you already know you just aren't willing to go through with it yet and make the move