It’s the time of year when many people suffer holiday blues. While friends and family are upbeat and looking forward to the season, you feel glum and annoyed that it’s here. There can be many reasons for this, but a central problem often is that you don’t feel that you’re as far along in your life as you should be and this causes you to feel disconnected from all the merriment around you. Different issues can account for this. Which one describes why your spirits are down?

 Success Still Eludes Me

 In spite of working very hard, you feel you haven’t gotten far. This breeds a lot of resentment and bitterness that merit system -- which insists, “just work hard and you will be rewarded” -- doesn’t seem to be panning out for you. Indeed, some who don’t seem to work nearly as hard but who are good wheelers and dealers may be whizzing past you. This adds to your pessimism and feelings of “why bother?” But take heart. You’re not alone. Many folks are working longer and harder than they used to, have fewer staff and perks, and feel stymied in their careers too.

 Is This All There Is?

 Even if you’re one of the luckier ones who is moving ahead, you can still find yourself bothered by a nagging sense of unhappiness and melancholy this time of the year. All the symbols around you set an expectation for joy and merriment, but you may not feel that the new promotion you received and your new station in life is all it was hyped up to be. Perhaps it’s not as glamorous. Maybe the perquisites are not as plentiful or rewarding as you anticipated they’d be. Sometimes your sadness is coming from the stark realization that employers or customers pay you the “big bucks” because they expect to get that amount -- and more -- back from you. Sure, you may have the freedom to take time off when you want to and can do more of what you please. Unfortunately, like most at the top, you find that you simply don’t have the luxury of doing so because there’s too much work to do! 

 Where Do I Go From Here?

 Some people are pleased with the progress they’ve made professionally and continue to enjoy the benefits of their position, but feel discontent at this time of year because they are reviewing where they are in life and feel the need to move on. While the job may hold your interest and provide gratification, you may be a person who needs new challenges and don’t feel content unless you’re confronting unknown horizons. This is in contrast to people who are great managers and enjoy making sure that things keep running smoothly. These are the folks who are content to remain in the same job for 20 years. Others need to make their mark in uncharted territory in order to feel fulfilled. Once that job is done and things become routine, they feel the need to go. You may be one of those people. If so, it’s time to figure out where you’re going from here.