Fall In Love with Your Job
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that as you grow, your values change. The things that mattered years ago have been replaced by new priorities as I enter into new and exciting phases in my life. This is not only true in my personal life, but also in my professional life. When I first started working I was predominantly focused on the prestige of the company’s brand and the amount on the paycheck I would receive every two weeks. Much of that has now been supplemented with the deep desire to do meaningful work that aligns with the person I’ve become and the purpose I would like to fulfill in this lifetime. Don’t get me wrong, financial freedom, opportunity, and a competitive brand name are still important considerations in how I continue to strategically craft my career, but it is no longer enough.
I have worked in different companies, across different industries, but I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that if I don’t love what I am doing it becomes very difficult to stay engaged and feel fulfilled. In a recent Deloitte survey, they found that 44% of millennials and 49% of Gen Zs said they have made choices over the type of work they are prepared to do and the organizations for which they are willing to work based on their personal ethics. This survey, conducted in 2021, highlights the importance of shifting values as generations mature. A key to ensuring that you love what you do is understanding what is in your control and finding ways to create value. As I’ve navigated the professional landscape, these techniques have helped me stay connected to my role and fall in love all over again:
Reflect on your strengths and skills and do more of what you like to do- Strengths are a key part of any professiona'l’s success and it is important to proactively find ways to use them everyday. This will help you sharpen your toolkit and grow your confidence for conquering the work that you do.
Seek meaning in the work that you do and anchor it to your purpose- Get clear on what you want to achieve and find ways to let your job support you in those endeavors. If you want to help others but you are a bank teller, consider that your role is to provide a stress-free experience to those that are in your care as they manage their finances.
Cultivate a close circle of work friendships- Gallup research shows that amongst the key factors impacting overall engagement at work is the extent to which a person has a friend in the workplace. Find trusted colleagues that can give you feedback, support you when you are having a difficult day and provide you with productive coaching when you need to navigate various work situations.
Reinvent yourself through stretch assignments and opportunities- Seek out different ways to grow your skillset and challenge yourself. This will keep you interested in the work while simultaneously providing you with the growth you need for that next role. Keep rising!