Career Wellness
In the next of the 9 pillars of wellness I’d like to explore we will take a peek into one of the biggest ways people tend to identify themselves… by their career! It's one of the first questions we are asked when a new acquaintance is wanting to learn about us, and what we ask others. It feels like an important piece of information to know as we get a sense of one another.
Recently we've been categorized into those of us who’ve been deemed 'essential' & those who are considered ‘non-essential’. Some are getting an extended, possibly lightly paid, plague-cation while there are others whose work load has increased exponentially.
From healthcare workers on the front line to jobs that can be worked from home employees and self-employed workers are being asked to not only work but also learn and adapt to a whole new way of providing their services while potentially putting their own health at risk. Where do you find yourself? How does this play into your own thinking around the job that you do? Have you been dubbed ’non-essential and find yourself taking it personally, reconsidering how you earn a living? Or, are you working your tail off and resenting even minute of it but are afraid of losing the security? Of course there is many other shades to color the experience along the spectrum however, let us focus on yours.
In our ordinary world we find day after day, 40 hour or more week after 40 hour or more week, we commute to and from our job, save our vacation, watch for the deposit into our bank accounts, pay our bills, look forward to each and every weekend or holiday for the break that it brings, etc. Have you ever found yourself wondering if this is all life is meant to be about? Is the job you do really worth what you give up in doing it?
Again there is a gift to be found during this world wide pause. We have the opportunity to reflect on the design of our lives and acknowledge what is truly serving us and what is not. This week I invite you to explore the satisfaction and fulfillment found in your work life. It is, after all, a big part of your existence, and one you likely identify yourself by!
When I think of the word career I can’t help but to transpose it with the word purpose. Clearly these words have two distinctly different meanings. According to the dictionary here on my Mac career is defined as “an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with the opportunity for progress.” Not to be confused with having a job, which is simply to have a paid position of regular employment. Then there is purpose. Purpose is defined as ‘the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists’ purpose clearly points to a more expansive concept for doing what you do, whether in a job, career, or life in general.
Let me be clear, I see no requirement for one’s purpose to be reflected in their career or job. Sometimes our job or career simply provides the sustenance and security so that we may live true to our purpose outside of our work. Maybe that’s you… As long as it make you happy and content!
However, if you are interested in exploring how one might grade whether or not their work life is sustaining them in a meaningful way here are a few things to consider:
Does your work evoke a sense of passion and purpose that feels fulfilling?
Are you naturally driven to improve your work?
Do you look forward to your work day?
Are you satisfied with your work/ life balance?
Have you found work that fits into your personal learning style?
Do you have freedom to work independently?
Do you have opportunities to communicate and collaborate with others?
Do you feel both inspired and challenged?
Do you find a sense of achievement at the end of your work day?
If after answering the above questions you find yourself reconsidering the career path you are currently on you may let this next list guide your efforts to redirect you towards work that would be more fitting:
DON'T SETTLE! Keep motivated to work for what you want.
Take time to write out occupational goals and begin working in that direction.
Take inventory of what you are naturally good at, what you like to do, and in what ways you enjoy being of service. Within these three lists is a correlation that can direct you to work that might feel more true to who you are.
Talk to a career counselor/ coach. (I am happy to start the conversation/ exploration with you!)
An old acquaintance once suggested that a most satisfying career could be found by taking what you are naturally good at and applying it to a something you see as needing to be healed in the world.
With work being such a huge part of our existence for at least 50 years of our lives it seems pretty crucial to enjoy and find meaning in how we apply ourselves.
Meditation Exercise
For this weeks offering I'd like to take a time hop back into the days of your youth. No matter where, or in what circumstances, we grew up there was a time that each of us had some fantasy of the work we would seek out when we became an adult. Of course as we got older we were subjected to ideals from parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. on what we 'should' do. Let's, for a minute, put that aside and try to remember what interested you before all that.
Child's Play
Find your favorite spot to sit and be still then make yourself comfortable.
Don't forget to shut down any and all distractions.
Grab your journal
Queue up this guided meditation & ENJOY!