Based on your responses, your career may not be a source of inspiration in your life. You do not need to “live to work,” but you should not feel like your job is a dull punishment. Let’s say you aren’t passionate about sleep and spend a third of your life in bed, so you might as well at least like your pillow. You do not need to define yourself by your work. Still, you can find ways to create a mutually beneficial relationship with your career in ways that give you a sense of purpose and give your work meaning beyond material rewards.
Meaning does not come from the outside; it is up to you to create connections between your purpose and your work.
If you’re just starting your career…
The job you have now might not be exactly what you’ve dreamed of, but you can make the most of the opportunity in front of you. What are your skills? What are you passionate about? In any role, there will be something you can attach your passion to before you pull the plug. Are you a people person? Are you good at project management? You can highlight the components of your job that speak to you, doing the best you can with what you have. If you are willing to give it a shot for six months or a year and nothing changes, there is no better time in your career to look for a change than now.
If you’re just restarting your career…
Congratulations on diving back into the workforce, but do you know what you’re getting yourself into? This is a perfect time to set some definitions and some boundaries. What do you love about working? What drains you? Who do you want to work with on a day-to-day basis? Set some concrete goals and expectations now so you don’t get lost in the weeds in a few months and end up right back here—uninspired and unsure of how to improve the situation. Long-term expectations can keep you from slouching into a job that doesn’t speak to you. Embrace this new challenge, and push yourself to make this not merely a continuation of the first stage of your career. What can you do to rise to the occasion? Embrace new skillsets and training, and push yourself to create the treasure you deserve.
If you’re on your career’s 3rd act…
Even if you haven’t felt a deep connection to your work to this point, you can make this next stage of your career meaningful. No matter how deep into your career you are, the cement doesn’t set on your legacy until you say it does. When you reflect on your work life, what do you want it to look like? With the right mindset, you can squeeze purpose and legacy out of your career at any stage, especially this one. Be a beacon to your colleagues and mentees. Show them what they can achieve when they have a meaningful connection to their career.
Where do we go from here?
Hopefully, this assessment has opened your eyes to the treasure your career is and can be. If you want encouraging insights that can keep you on track when doubt creeps in, Pattie Dale’s book Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Guide to Achieving Career Success for New, Returning, or Seasoned Professionals can help you choose where your career takes you next.
To stay up-to-date with her latest insights, follow Pattie Dale Tye on LinkedIn.