Are you happy with your current job?
Fulfilling job, how important is it? Do you find fulfilment in your current position? Is your current work something that motivates you to get out of bed in the mornings? In a recent study, more than 70 percent of participants felt disengaged from their work. And that’s a not productive way to live your best life. If you’ve been considering doing something more meaningful than your regular nine-to-five job. Here are some practical ideas you may want to consider for finding a more fulfilling job.
1. Accept that it’s ok not to have the answers
Not many people clearly know what kind of career they want. It’s normal to be confused, even overwhelmed by the pressure to make the ‘right’ choice. You scan the newspapers, etc. You look on the Internet, but there are so many job options that it can feel overwhelmingly difficult to make the right choice. It’s easier to default to what’s familiar or what feels achievable. Be kind to yourself and accept that finding the correct career path can be complicated and confusing. Then you can begin to move beyond that and start planning.
2. Figure out your values
The first step is to figure out what’s essential to you.
- Do you want to make lots of money?
- Do you want to be admired or respected for your expertise?
- Are you happier working in the background, or do you like the limelight?
- Do you want security, or do you feel satisfied taking risks?
List what you really want in a fulfilling job, and you’re a step closer.
3. Accept that there’s no one perfect job
Many people these days will have multiple jobs and many careers. Your parent’s generation may have gotten into a career groove or even stayed in the same work for decades. Today you can expect to switch posts at least seven times during work. The expectation that you choose one path and stick to it no longer holds. Once you’ve achieved what you wanted, you can move on and try something different, and that’s ok.
4. Branch out
Changing your work doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You’ve probably heard the mantra ‘follow your passion.’ And that’s fine if it pays the bills, but if it doesn’t (and it may not in the beginning, regardless of later success), it’s fine to stick with your frugal job. Try a hybrid approach where you follow your passion after hours. You can still keep food on the table while you write, paint, or teach a yoga or meditation class in the evenings and weekends. You can volunteer or sit on committees or boards if you want to test a different sector.
