When I ask people to describe a career they really want, many find it hard to give an answer.
It’s not easy.
Some will name their next role/title/promotion and others talk about salary. I’m not downplaying financial rewards or career trajectory, but these responses are only one piece of the career puzzle. External measurements of career success are fulfilling, but only up to a certain point.
Let’s take a different approach.
To answer ‘What you really, really want to do?’ requires looking in a different direction. Defining a career you own is to assess your achievements and setbacks, explore your strengths and contributions, understand your purpose and whom you impact. This broader perspective includes internal and external rewards and our impact on others; individuals, team and organization.
Career purpose may seem like a lofty ideal. I’ve seen many a furrowed brow when I mention purpose with careers in the same sentence. To some, purpose is to work for a cause, such as leading a non-profit or driving revolutionary change.
Purpose is much more than that. I can be assessing risk at a financial institution, reducing repetitive work through new applications, or generating innovative approaches for virtual collaboration. All are purpose driven, and defined by you. Purpose is to use your strengths to do something which adds value.
I’m advocating being able to define a career you own, something which visibly helps others or makes an organization better.
To start, look at what’s right. Which strengths do you bring to work? How do these strengths help others? Your strengths connect with purpose, your purpose connects with the Why and How of work. Purposeful work solves real challenges, contributes tangible benefits, adds solid value to colleagues, clients and organization. The best way to find career purpose is to do something which makes an impact. This takes time, not hours of navel gazing but focused reflection.
I encourage a definition of career success from a broader perspective–internally and externally. More than a specific role or title, discover what career purpose feels like for you. The career you own may give a huge financial up-side. Adding a new set of metrics expands the definition of career success.
Most important, you own it.
WATCH THIS SPACE: My new book “Now It’s Clear! The Career You Own” is coming out soon! Designed to help you to get on the path to finding career purpose and based on workshops I’ve been conducting on the topic for the last 5 years, this new book is a collection of exercises and real-life inspirational stories to enable you to build your own guidebook and successfully navigate a career transition. If you would like to get a copy, stay tuned for more details!
