05 Oct Is it Possible to have a Career that is Aligned with your Values and Interests?
Is it possible to have a Career that you love, one that’s aligned with your Values and Interests? Or is this asking for too much and should you just be happy that you have a job?
Each week I hear clients expressing a deep desire to make changes to their professional path: “I just can’t do it any more! It’s sucking the life out of me. I feel like I’m dying inside.”
This is not typical workplace frustration. These are actual statements I hear on a regular basis from intelligent, responsible and resilient people, who don’t walk away from commitments easily. And that’s what makes what they’re saying so important. They’re highlighting a deep sense of disconnection between who they are and their Values, and what they do for a living. Their voices are signalling a change that’s taking place in our individual and collective consciousness.
A Shift is taking place towards work that is aligned with Values
Without a doubt, Covid-19 completely changed our context of Work. For many people it gave them a chance to step out of the monotonous work groove they were in, and really question how they’re living their lives, how work fits into it, and the very nature of what they are doing to earn a living. This combined with the sharp rise in Personal Growth and Awareness, Health and Well-being, Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness etc. suggests that the sense of wanting work to be more fulfilling is here to stay in a big way.
No longer content to live lives disconnected from their highest nature, more people want their careers to be aligned with their Values, Beliefs and Interests. They insist that what they do for a living, be a true expression of who they are and what they believe in. They want to love what they do for a living, and are willing to make it happen.
For some, this is done with a hard, fast decision to leave their job and put all their attention into creating their authentic life’s work. For others it’s a process, one that allows them to transition from the security of their current job into developing a career path that is deeply fulfilling. And then again for others, it’s about carving out a new role for themselves within the organization they’re in now.
All of these approaches have their strengths and challenges. It comes down to what’s right for you.
IMPORTANT: You don’t have to know every single detail of the end result in order to get started. Yes, it would be more comfortable, and less anxiety provoking if you knew the end result and every single step you have to take to get there, but as with most things, it’s a journey, an ongoing process of discovery. More so, the process itself allows you the opportunity to grow into the person who will be able to carry the idea to fruition. But you do have to get started in order for the path to reveal itself. The good news is that there are some things you can do to become clearer about your next steps. Working with a Career Coach who can help guide you through a process of self-reflection and evaluation can be extremely helpful at this time.
A Personal Note
I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t feel a strong sense of purpose driving me. Even as a child, I knew there was something meaningful I was supposed to do with my life. I always wanted my work to be a true reflection of who I am: where who I am and what I believe in on the inside (my values), is how I express myself on the outside and make a living in this world.
There were times in my life where this was not possible. Back then my priority was to pay my rent, tuition fees, living expenses etc. I needed income I could count on so I did what I had to do, and I was very grateful for each of those jobs. I always worked from a place of Integrity, giving each employer my best effort however, and importantly, I wasn’t just ‘biding my time’. Each job taught me skills that I use to this day and that helped me learn, grow and develop as a human being. Each step played a role in getting me to the point where I could create a career that reflected my Values, Beliefs and Interests.
Over time, I began to navigate my way towards making my professional life an authentic expression of who I am. The sense I had as a child of using my life to make a difference in the world, combined with the awareness and skills I developed over the years, became the foundation upon which I created a business I believe in. And yes, I’m happy to share that it is indeed, a true expression of who I am. ❤️
Don’t Settle for Less. Know what your Values are. Then get Started!
So, is it possible to develop a Career that is aligned with your Values, Beliefs and Interests? YES, it absolutely is! In fact, I believe wholeheartedly that work should be a reflection of what we value and believe in.
If you are questioning how you are earning a living, if you feel that there is something else you are meant to be doing with your life, if you feel ‘called’ to use your life in a more meaningful way, I strongly encourage you to listen to it and develop a thoughtful and effective plan for making it a Reality. There are so many quizzes you can take online, books you can read, podcasts you can listen to and Career Coaches you can work with to help you get focused. Just get started!
Great Resources
1. Tony Robbins has a post that can get you pointed in the right direction for discovering your Purpose: 12 Steps to finding your Purpose
2. 6 Strategic Steps to finding your Passion from British, podcaster, author, life coach and former monk, Jay Shetty.
You may be interested in these Posts and Services I offer!
Professional Career Counseling Services
A Key condition for Growth: Your Hunger must be Greater than your Fears
It’s time to Raise the Bar on Work
Life Skills and Empowerment Strategies
Thank you for taking time to read this post! The right information at the right time is a most powerful catalyst for change. For Coaching, Workshops or an Inspiring Talk on this valuable topic, contact me!
Kristina Jansz, Life Skills and Empowerment Strategies 705 794-9900 | [email protected]
(c) Titans International Inc. Kristina Jansz 2019, 2020-2050
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