It’s mid-January and you’ve been back at work for a few weeks. Nothing’s changed – and not in a good way. You might be feeling bored, frustrated, purposelessness, even angry. You’re thinking: “There’s got to be a better career for me.”
Rita Ora’s lyrics: “…Just take me anywhere, take me anywhere, anywhere away with you…” are tempting, but escaping isn’t really feasible.
The good news is that you can have a new and fulfilling career. Others have, so this is possible! (Read their stories.)
THE FIRST STEP TO GETTING WORK YOU LOVE
At this stage, it’s normal for most people to feel stuck and not know where to start – I hear this from many of my clients.
The first step to getting work you love is to be clearer about who you are. Only then can you start to think about what new career would be right for you.
Identifying your values is arguably the key building block in knowing who you are. Knowing your values helps make better decisions about many things, including your career.
Good news! Below is an exercise you can do yourself that’ll help you identify your values, right now. (It’s similar to an exercise I use with my career change coaching and First 100 Days clients.)
1st STEP: GET COMFORTABLE
So, let’s get started by getting yourself comfortable…
You’re sitting or lying comfortably. Close your eyes and just take in a few deep breathes… that’s good… and relax… feel yourself slowing down… keep breathing deeply… in… and out… feel the floor underneath your feet or the sofa underneath your body… centre yourself… slow down… feel each breath going up and down your spine… empty your mind… and breathe deeply in and out… and when you’re ready, when you’re connected with yourself…
2nd STEP: THINK OF AN IDEAL WEEKEND
Think of an ideal, magical weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday evening… filled with the very best activities, people and places… your ideal weekend transcends the laws of physics… you could be having breakfast at home with your family on Friday, in the afternoon be scaling a mountain… or partying it up with friends in Ibiza on Saturday. It could be enjoying a peaceful time with your partner or lying on a tropical beach… or gardening on Sunday… anything goes. So, what would you do in your ideal weekend? What would you do on the Friday evening? And Saturday? And Sunday?
Who’s with you and what’s happening? Where are you? What space are you in? Are you inside or outside? What’s around you? What’s the atmosphere? What food are you eating?
Take notes of what dreaming comes up for you, with as much detail as possible.
3rd STEP: MINE FOR THE VALUES UNDERNEATH
Then, reflect on each part of your notes. What do you like about it? What’s important or significant about it? What values lie underneath each part.
You might find values such as freedom, independence, autonomy, family, respect, open-mindedness, creativity or empowerment. Write them all down – this stage is a brainstorm and none are wrong – don’t worry, just capture them all.
If you need some help finding the right words, click here for inspiration.
4th STEP: CRAFT EACH VALUE
Look back at the list of your values and select those that resonate the most. Take your time.
Think laterally when selecting words – for example, instead of using “entrepreneurship”, you might prefer “Richard Branson”. Or replace “innovation” with “Heston Blumenthal”. Choose words that resonate deeply.
5th STEP: STRING OF WORDS FOR EACH VALUE
Once you’ve selected your eight or so most resonate values, create a string of words for each, ensuring they richly and clearly articulate the value. It could look like this:
- Compassion = empathy / care / stillness / understanding
- Courageousness = expressing my truth / heart / respect for others
- Disruption = transformation / change/ cheeky / move forward / inspiration
6th STEP: LOOKING AT YOUR CAREER THROUGH YOUR VALUES
Turning to your current career, ask yourself: Where are these values honoured in your current career? Where are they not honoured?
Hopefully, this’ll generate some new insights about what you might change in your career: e.g. if your top value is freedom/independence, that may help you understand why your experience of your current role and organisation as being rigid and structured isn’t working. Also, why you’d prefer a career that has a relaxed, unstructured environment, or maybe even work for yourself.
What information do these values give you about your new career? What careers might fit better?
Get curious and have some fun.
WANT TO DO WORK YOU LOVE?
If you’re struggling finding your new career, I’d be happy to help. We’ll use a proven three-stage career change programme to find your new career that resonates and gives you hope for the future?
Or, maybe you’ve found your new role and want to pass with flying colours? I’d be happy to help you with my First 100 Days programme. Your transition will be accelerated with a comprehensive on-boarding strategy and action plan. You’ll take charge, embed a shared purpose, build your team and achieve better results quicker.
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