ix years ago, I decided to make a major career change from working as a marketer in corporate America to becoming a marketing consultant focused on churches, nonprofits and small businesses. I knew that becoming an independent consultant had many risks, but the benefits I was aware of outweighed those risks by far: flexible work hours, better work/life balance, the ability to pick projects that I was interested in, and most importantly, the desire to do work that I considered meaningful.

Turns out I’m not alone. According to the research presented in the new Barna FRAME, Multi-Careering,”It’s no longer enough for a job to pay the bills and occupy your time with good work. People demand jobs that mean something, that change the world, that fulfill them, and that they’re passionate about.”On top of that, 72% of adults say they’re stressed out, while 30% of them say it’s because of work. Forty-three percent say they’re afraid of making the wrong career choice, and yet we spend over one-third of our waking hours (36% of our time) at that career we were afraid to choose in the first place.

Between those stats from the FRAME, and several recent conversations I’ve had with friends, it’s more and more evident that a lot of people are unsatisfied, uninspired and lack passion for work that causes them stress. But why? And how do we escape from this ugly reality?Enter Bob Goff, the New York Times Bestseller Author of Love Does, who was the FRAME’s main contributor. As the ultimate “mutli-careering” expert (he’s a lawyer, human rights organization founder, foreign diplomat to Uganda, author, speaker and more!), Bob has a unique view on careers and how to wisely choose one for yourself.

He shares successes and missteps from his own career path, and advises people to “Figure out who you are, where you flourish, and what lifestyle you want. Then go choose a career or three that help you get there.” He talks about the need to quit things and try new things: “Stalling, worrying, and hemming and hawing take a lot of energy that could be spent doing something terrific.” And finally, he encourages, “Some of us keep waiting for permission to do the things God said he made us to do. Being alive is all the green light you need. Go after that career that reflects who you’re becoming.”

Of course, there’s a lot more advice, plus a “re/frame” by Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water, so I encourage you to check out the book yourself. Since it’s a FRAME – designed intentionally to be a quick read – you can easily finish it in one setting!In the meantime, if you’re not sure whether your career is right for you, here are three questions to jump start your inner conversation:1. Does my career fit my personality?

For example: do you love being social and working with cross functional teams, but work at a job where you don’t interact with anyone on a regular basis besides your boss?

2. Do I care about the work I do?

You don’t have to save lives for a living to feel like you care. I’m asking if you genuinely take pride in what you do, and feel like it matters to you.

3. If I could do anything without fear of failure, what would it be?

In other words, if you were guaranteed success at doing anything, within reason (we all can’t be rock stars or professional athletes), would you do what you do now?

I asked myself these same questions those years ago, and started dreaming about the career I now have and love.

Do you love what you do? What questions have you asked (yourself or others)?