Wunmi Adelusi: How to Know When It's Time to Switch Jobs or Careers

Wunmi Adelusi, a voice of reason and growth, recently posed a crucial question that resonated deeply with me: Am I on the right path? As the mid-year review period sets in, many creatives and entrepreneurs in Nigeria are grappling with this inquiry, unsure if they've outgrown their current career trajectory. What happens when the diligent, faithful, and consistent efforts we've put into our jobs or businesses no longer align with our true aspirations? The fear of starting anew is overwhelming, but perhaps that's because we've got it all wrong.

Wunmi astutely points out that our biggest obstacle to change isn't necessarily our lack of skills or experience but the fear of starting over. We're afraid to admit that our hard work has led us to a destination that no longer excites us. The fear of losing everything we've built, of being questioned by others, and of having to explain our pivot can be paralyzing. It's time to shatter this myth: starting anew doesn't mean losing everything. It means embracing growth, learning, and adaptation.

The only constant is change, Wunmi reminds us that adaptability is no longer a soft skill but a vital one. Charles Darwin's observation that it's not the strongest species that survive but the most adaptable ones is a timely reminder. In the animal kingdom, smaller, more agile creatures often thrive in shifting environments. Similarly, in our careers, it's not about being the most established or experienced but about being responsive to the changing terrain. We need to reframe our mindset: growth is not a zero-sum game where we start from scratch, but rather a process of building upon our past experiences and successes.

Before embarking on this journey of growth, Wunmi encourages us to shift our frame of reference. We're not starting from zero; we're starting with capital, experience, relationships, pattern recognition, and domain knowledge. This realization frees us from the burden of reinventing the wheel and allows us to focus on what truly matters: adapting to the changing landscape and growing into new opportunities.

The consequences of staying on a path that no longer serves us are dire. We risk shrinking, losing our creative spark, and missing out on new experiences and growth opportunities. The fear of starting over is a valid concern, but it shouldn't hold us back from pursuing our true passions. It's time to acknowledge that our careers are a journey, not a destination. As Wunmi so eloquently puts it, "Survival does not belong to the strongest; it belongs to the adaptable."

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of our careers, I predict that the most successful creatives and entrepreneurs in Nigeria will be those who can adapt, pivot, and grow with ease. They'll be the ones who recognize that consistency, left unexamined, can become a limitation, and that growth is a continuous process. By embracing this mindset, we'll be able to unlock new opportunities, build upon our past successes, and create a brighter future for ourselves.

**The next time you're faced with the daunting question of whether you're on the right path, remember that it's not about starting from scratch but about building upon your strengths and experiences.