Are you evolving or settling? I’m not sure what just came to your mind as the question resonated but I will make a guess. You probably said "of course, I’m evolving.” 

But also, answer this: In what ways are you evolving exactly? Are you where you always wanted to be in life? Are you doing your dream job? If not, are you doing all it takes to have it? Or you are among those who have accepted what they have and are willing to settle for less; settling for that first job, settling for that low-paying work, or that obnoxious boss.

For some people, circumstances and prevailing challenges can be a limit to how far they can go chasing their career goals.

For example, Dieudonne Mbanzimana says age is a challenge. "At a certain age, you can’t have lofty dreams, and you can’t joke about quitting a job in search of another,” he explains.

"It could be worse than this, so let me keep cool,” you may say. Or, as Mbanzimana says, you may dread the idea of pursuing a fresh opportunity because it could not turn out the way you want it to.

Here’s why you shouldn’t settle for anything less in your career, regardless of the excuses you give yourself;

Lack of fulfilment: Most of the time, settling is referred to as "playing it safe.” Your inner self, on the other hand, will eventually raise objections. One will eventually battle with a sense of insignificance in one’s existence. According to psychology, this is a source of depression in retirees, who are tormented with regrets about all they could have accomplished but never did.

Regrets: Most people are likely to be burdened with regrets about all the fantasised moments, successes, and goals that will constantly be in the "what if I had” category rather than "I did what I had to do”. Every time you hear about or speak with someone who is passionate about what they do, you’ll regret not pursuing your dream profession. Regrets are unpleasant feelings even at the mere mention of them.

You only live once: Some people disagree with this statement because it appears pessimistic, but it is past time for us to confront the fact that we may never have another chance to amend our mistakes or live our dreams. We may not have another chance to make the difference we so desperately want to make in this world. Why wouldn’t you, at the end of the day, do everything possible to ensure that you wake up to more meaningful existence; at least meaningful to you?

Is it therefore time for a change? If you believe it is, then don’t wait any longer! Take those much-needed risks, even if they appear scary!

However, someone once told me that knowing exactly when to make a move is important. When is it right to seize an opportunity or pursue a dream? In other words, when do you know it’s time to make a change? 

Below are three suggestions from the 2018 Evaluate Your Career Framework;

Ambitions: What do you want to accomplish with your life? What does success mean to you?

Qualifications: You must ensure that you obtain the necessary qualifications for your ideal career or to start the project you dream of.

Alternative options: Consider your alternative job opportunities carefully. The framework proposes that you think about things like compensation, flexibility, employer, and personal energy while you do so.

Before you hand in your resignation, be sure the new option matches your description of the perfect career path, your lifestyle, and that you have fully prepared yourself in case you have no or little expertise in the new field. Finally, we only have one life to live, and it is up to us to make it the best it can be.