Have you ever had a job where, after a couple of days off or more, you get that ‘Going back to work dread’ feeling? Perhaps you are in a job like that now?
As you consider your concerns, what comes to mind? Perhaps one or more of the following thoughts?
• My job is too easy for me – I want to be stretched more
• The day just drags on and on
• I can’t see any improvement in the future
• There just aren’t enough times when I feel proud of myself for what I have achieved
• I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed something I was doing
• If I didn’t need the money I wouldn’t be here
• When am I going to win the lottery?
Given that the average person probably works 40 hours a week between the ages of 21 and 65 and assuming 5 week’s holiday, that means working 82,720 hours in a working lifetime, or 10,340 days. That’s a lot … … especially if in that time you are not happy and fulfilled.
Even in the jobs where there is a great fit between individual talents and aspirations and the demands of the role there will be some days that are better than others but what happens if day after day you just don’t feel like going to work?
It doesn’t have to be that way… but how can you free yourself up to lead in your own career?
1. REFLECT:
Firstly, it could be helpful to take some time to reflect on what you want from your career. What possibilities can you see for yourself if any perceived barriers were removed? Don’t limit yourself but instead play with ‘what ifs’. If you find this difficult and are caught up in reasons why you can’t go after something that you would really enjoy, coaching could help to identify any limiting beliefs or to explore options.
2. DREAM:
Once you have an idea of what you want from your career, take a small amount of time to dream about your future. Far from being time wasted, visualising future success in as much detail as you can has been proven to increase your positivity which can then provide motivation to move forward.
3. IDENTIFY STRENGTHS:
Next, take time to consider your strengths, what you do best and enjoy such that you are in ‘flow’, fully absorbed in what you are doing , in the zone, with time just flying by. Research shows that having the opportunity to do what you do best means you are far more likely to flourish. There are a number of ways in which you can identify your strengths including assessments such as the StrengthsFinder, Realise2 or Value In Action. Just as effective, and more context specific to you is to either look for the four signs of a strength (as defined by Marcus Buckingham), Success, Instinct, Growth and Needs, or to ask people who know you well when they have seen you at your best (Reflected Best Self Exercise).
4. USE STRENGTHS:
Once you have more clarity about what you love to do, ask yourself how you can steer your career towards using your strengths more often. While the steering may be a longer term strategy, what might be possible even within the role that you currently hold? Are there ways to get your work done differently that enable you to call on your strengths? Scientists have discovered that significant and lasting positivity can be achieved by finding new ways to apply your strengths.
5. SET COURSE & STEER:
Steering your career to enable more fulfilment in a job that you love may require an investment of a few years. This can seem daunting from your current starting point so consider all of the building blocks required and in what order do they need to be put into place? What is the first building block you can place?
Finally, using strengths has been shown to help build psychological resilience and generate positive emotions – a great foundation to leading you to jump out of bed in the morning wondering what the day will bring and excited to make your mark in a way that is right for you.
Are you ready to follow the steps above or perhaps you have already made a start on leading in your career? We’d love to hear about your experiences – why not comment below to tell us more.
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