So you need a change. What next?
Last week, I wrote about learning to identify when your body is telling you: enough is enough; it's time for a change. It's the pit in your stomach, the sleepless nights, the anxiety every Sunday. Learning to tune into, instead of ignore, that biofeedback can be scary. Trusting yourself enough to turn away from what's known and safe - that's terrifying.
But what do you do with that information? Yes, you need a change. But change can come in many forms, and maybe you need some direction. Stepping into the unknown without a map feels dangerous. The good news is, you've got all the map-building supplies you need. You just need to take a look inside first.
Grab your notebook! Let's do some journaling.
1. Do you feel a disconnect between your personal values and your professional values?
Start by listing out the Top 3 things you value personally and professionally. Hint: they should be the same. Your values are the most important things in your life, your guiding principles, and what you prioritize. When your values at home clash with your values at work, it's a recipe for failure. Think of how much time and energy does it costs you to be two different people at work and in life!
"Incongruent living is exhausting." Brené Brown
2. The last time you jumped out of bed excited for the day, what were you going to do that day?
You've identified a pattern of dread, when your stomach drops to the floor just thinking about going into work and facing that one coworker or project or manager. Now I want you to identify a time when you were absolutely giddy for the day. This can be a personal or professional reason. Conjure up the whole day - what was the weather like? How did you feel? Who were you going to interact with? Pinpoint the part of that day that made you feel joy. What was the activity, idea, or project that lit you up?
3. What do people often come to you for help with?
Think hard. What do your high school friends, former coworkers, sorority sisters, aunts, and partner all come to you to help solve? Maybe you're always chosen to plan the big events, refinish old furniture, design and outfit a new home, or review a resume. This is your super power! Or, one of them at least. Keep in mind: you don't need to have a degree or special certification to be awesome at something. You've got skills aplenty.
4. What's missing when you're not in the room?
Hopefully you've answered the first three questions. Now it's time to put them all together and get really clear about your Purpose. Your Values give you wisdom and perspective to share. They guide your priorities in life. Your Passions give you joy and energy, and the desire to innovate. Your Skills and expertise are what enable you to contribute in meaningful ways. If you can identify the thing that only you can bring to the table, your purpose, you've got a pretty good starting point to make your next move. You want to move away from dread and towards joy.
Your next move
When it comes to changing a career that brings you dread, I see your next move as one of two paths: stay with purpose or leave with purpose. Now that you've pinpointed where you're perhaps misaligned in your values, passions, or skills, you get to decide how you switch things up. What could that look like?
Get more active in your community: volunteer, join an ERG
Become a mentor
Take a sabbatical
Focus on your hobbies
Take on a new role at work
Start a side hustle (more on that next week)
Make a move that brings you closer to alignment with your purpose. Whatever you choose, do it on purpose.
If you've enjoyed this edition of Make Work Suck Less, and would like more of my insights around career growth, employee experience, and work-life balance, subscribe here.
