We all want career satisfaction, but many of us aren’t experiencing it.
How do you find career satisfaction? Read on to find out!
It’s a beautiful fall morning in London. People are walking past me at a brisk pace, headed to work. I have the same agenda but being self-employed, I have the luxury of working from anywhere. I grabbed a coffee at a corner shop and decided this bench in Hyde Park was the perfect place to sit down and write my weekly blog.
I woke up this morning with the plan to write but wasn’t sure of the topic. As I began walking through London’s most significant and, in my opinion, most beautiful, park, I couldn’t help but get excited to sit down and work. Why? Because I am PROUD of the career I have built and experience deep satisfaction doing what I do. It made me think about the countless conversations I have had with peers and friends. “I’m burnt out,” “I’m not being challenged,” “I need a sense of purpose,” and “I have no idea what is next for me,” are all comments I’ve heard many, many times. I’m excited to share three keys that moved me from wondering, “What’s my purpose?” to career satisfaction.
1. Knowing exactly what factors must be present for you to experience career satisfaction.
If you set out in search of career satisfaction without being able to very clearly and easily articulate your purpose and the work values that are important to you, you will be throwing darts and hoping something lands on the bullseye. If you can relate with thoughts such as, “What’s my purpose?” or “I need a change,” start with getting very clear on what you want and need to experience true fulfillment. If you have to stumble and think hard to identify three to four things you want or need to be professionally fulfilled, get back to the basics first. Knowing these elements will help you make your decisions with clarity and confidence and ensures that you’ll experience fulfillment, not frustration.
2. Invest in yourself and your development.
If someone says to me, “I was happy at first, but now things have changed,” or, “I’m just not challenged anymore,” my first thought is always, “I wonder how much time they have spent investing in themselves professionally?” One of my favorite books on this topic is John Maxwell’s book 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth. I promise it will inspire you and challenge you to grow. Also, very organically, you’ll either find yourself out of the rut you may be in professionally or feeling confident in seeking a new direction or opportunity.
3. Be vulnerable, embrace the unknown, and trust yourself.
People stay stuck in their careers way too long because of two things. The first is loyalty. While loyalty is essential, many of us are too loyal. I may sound trite, but you are replaceable. If you move on to a new position, the world will keep turning, your organization will keep producing, and you will eventually be replaced. Don’t let a deep sense of obligation keep you from career satisfaction. The second reason people spend too long stuck in their careers is the fear of the unknown. Will the grass be greener on the other side? You won’t know unless you show some vulnerability, do research, interview for jobs, and explore opportunities.
Simply put, we don’t trust ourselves enough. I’ve worked with or had in-depth career-based talks with five young professionals in the last six months. I have intentionally tracked our conversations and their progress. Four of the five have taken embraced the unknown and taken action to move them closer to career satisfaction. Not to my surprise, all four of them have said, “I should have done this months ago.” You know yourself best. If you have done your research and thought through your options, TRUST YOURSELF.
So, on this Monday morning, are you excited about your work? Do you have frequent feelings of career satisfaction, or do you find yourself thinking that there must be more? Don’t wait until the new year to begin figuring out what is missing. You owe it to yourself to find career fulfillment and satisfaction now!
Do you need help with career satisfaction?
As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to bring lasting fulfillment and satisfaction! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.
Book a free consultation today!
