What comes up when you think about finding happiness in your career?
This is hard.
I don’t know what I want.
I have to figure this out.
I don’t know what to do.
I don’t want my family to sacrifice.
When you are thinking these thoughts, how do you feel?
Confused
Paralyzed
Overwhelmed
And when you are feeling these feelings what do you do?
Endlessly look at job postings
Wait until something “pops” out at you sort of magically
Think about changing jobs incessantly
Complain to your spouse
Ask your best friend what you should do
Lie awake at night and think about what you should do
Mull over options but not act on anything.
And the result?
You remain stuck and unhappy in your job.
If you want to find happiness in your work-life, you must change the thoughts that are driving your search.
How about this one?
I am worth it.
Or this one.
I can figure this out.
Or this one.
There is no right.
Take a moment and breathe in each of these thoughts and let them settle in your body.
How do they make you feel?
Sufficient
Adequate
Loved
Compelled
And if you were feeling these feelings, what would you be doing to try and figure out happiness in your career?
Slow down and stop frantically searching
Strategically break down what it is you want and what is getting in the way of you having it
Acknowledge your fears but don’t indulge in them
Trust yourself and the timing of it all
Prioritize yourself and dedicate specific times to the job search
Look into paid resources to help you take a step
And the result of these actions?
A methodical (and faster) progression to achieving happiness in your career
See how different that is?
This entire process starts with how you are thinking about it.
Take a moment and write down your current thoughts about the process and then some intentional thoughts about the process. Just like I did in this email.
Then, get really cozy with each of your intentional thoughts. Truly believe in them. Find evidence for how each of them are true.
The more time you spend believing your intentional thoughts about the process, the faster you will create happiness.
