How well does your job "fit" you right now?

Do you ever feel like a square peg in a round hole, like you are not in the right job for your talents at this time? Do you worry that you are not making the difference you want to make in this world? Are you unable to keep up with (possibly unrealistic) job productivity measures? Maybe you are exhausted from balancing home and work, and work involves a complex travel schedule or other major overtime. What can you do if you are faced with a situation like one of these? First, make a list of your skills, even if they are not related to your current work. Second, describe your ideal job, or as many aspects as you can. For example, you prefer to work in a teams of 2, you want different hours, you like to work with food, or you want to make a difference in the world by _______. Consider your current job. Can it be modified in some way to use more of your talents? Can you ask for a transfer to another department that would be a better fit? Do you want to move to another part of the city or country? Look online at LinkedIn.com, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, your local newspaper, and many other such sites. Look in your professional journals and online at your professional association, if you belong to one. As the economy starts to improve, the job market should loosen up, and more positions become available. Remember you do have options!