Your career or business should feel good
Hi! I'm Bec Sands, and I help professional women pivot to a career or business they love.
Today, I’m discussing what appears on the surface to be an incredibly straightforward and obvious topic: that your career or business should feel good.
However, when we look beneath the surface it’s really not that simple at all, and I’m going to discuss some of the reasons why this is – and what you can do about it!
1. We love some parts of our career, but truthfully, really dislike other parts
There’s always going to be elements of doing things we dislike in our careers or businesses. Some of these things we grow to love, and some things make us not want to get out of bed that day.
For example, I used to hate working on numbers in my business – forecasting, invoicing, profit and loss, reconciling accounts and that sort of thing. But I’ve actually grown to love it as I’ve learned more and am feeling connected to the numbers as it signals the growth of my business. That doesn’t mean to say I’ll continue to do this work forever (remember, just because we can, doesn’t mean we SHOULD). But I am cool with it for now.
However, one thing that I have always disliked doing is any kind of in-depth design work. It doesn’t align with my strengths, skills or what I feel productive doing with my time. I’m all about words, not design, and feel like it’s a waste of my time because it takes me sooooo long. So I outsource most of this element of my business, which enables me to spend more time doing productive things like client work, new business activity, relationship building, and content creation to provide value for my audience.
It’s totally cool to dislike some parts of your career and your role, but truly – how much of it do you really not enjoy? For inspiration on this topic from someone who’s been through this exact thing – where she believed she was in her dream role but it turned out not to align at all, including how she did finally make a change into something she loved – check out Career Pivot Podcast episode number 6 with Gemma Laurelle, who went from being a criminal lawyer to video games voice actor. Her voice is so divine, you’ll love the ep.
2. We’re not feeling challenged any more
When we don’t feel challenged any more, we tend to look at the past and glorify it rather than feeling excited about the present or looking forward to (and feeling positive about) the future because it feels like groundhog day.
Humans ALWAYS need to feel like we’re working on the next thing, working towards a challenge or better future, and sometimes when we’re feeling unable to do anything new it can be incredibly deflating. Despite how good we are at our jobs and how much we’ve enjoyed them in the past.
When we’re not feeling challenged any more, our careers can feel like a grind and like we’re just going through the motions day after day.
3. We actually don’t enjoy it anymore
Sometimes, we actually don’t enjoy our jobs anymore but we don’t admit it to ourselves because then we’re faced with the question of ‘well… what then?’.
I talk about this on the Career Pivot Podcast a lot, as well as the fact that there’s usually a catalyst for our career pivots. Often, we have to get so uncomfortable before making a change that the discomfort we’re currently in outweighs the discomfort of taking action towards something more aligned with our current values and interests.
The majority of clients I’ve worked with have been in situations that are incredibly uncomfortable in their careers and they’re 100% ready to take action to find clarity and bring to life a different career. They’re sick of feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and unappreciated for the work that they do. It’s generally never about money specifically, although women in Australia are underpaid when compared with men’s salaries for the exact same roles.
4. We are swayed by what others want for us and what society says we should do
This is a HUGE point to make. People value connection to our communities because we are social creatures. Humans have always been together in social groups, as far back as can be traced, because if we were separated we could literally die.
When we go against perceived social norms and attempt to do something “different”, we may feel like we’re separating ourselves from our social group. Which feels crappy on so many levels.
However, in good news, the world is changing rapidly and the concept of career and business is changing and evolving – in a great way. So many people are choosing to work for themselves as consultants in their field due to some of the incredible benefits this can provide – such as freedom, the ability to make more income, creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work from wherever you choose doing whatever hours you desire.
5. Where good at it so it DOES make us feel good… Right?
Sometimes, we mistake being good at something for feeling good about doing it.
Just because I’m good at PR, doesn’t mean I have to do it as a full-time job. Just because I’m an extrovert and a people person, doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy working for myself in my own home office and balancing that with being social when I choose.
Just because you’re good at whatever it is that you do in your career, doesn’t mean that you have to do it.
Know that whatever skills, talents, strengths and experience you have, you will bring that into whatever it is that you do next because it all adds to your uniqueness as a person. No experience is ever wasted.
6. We’re waiting for the next thing to happen before making a change
Sometimes, we’re in that space where we tell ourselves we’re not going to leave now because we’re waiting for the promotion / the project / the new team / the pay rise / or perhaps we’re in business for ourselves and waiting for something to change before taking action. Whatever carrot may be dangled in front of you (or that you may be dangling in front of yourself), it ultimately won’t change things if you’re feeling unfulfilled with the work itself.
This is a space we can stay stuck in for years because it provides a false sense of ‘looking forward to something’. When really that thing is on a superficial level and won’t truly satisfy, like using a reward such as online shopping to fill an emotional void. It gives us a quick hit but five minutes, or 30 minutes, or two days later, it’s forgotten.
True clarity on what we need to change only happens when we can go inwards and look at our own values, what we enjoy doing, and what our strengths are – as well as how we can bring this to life.
7. The feeling that we should be grateful with what we’re doing because others have it worse off
I believe it’s useful to ALWAYS feel grateful for what we currently have, because it’s only from this place of abundance that we can bring more into our lives.
However, when we start thinking things like “I should be grateful to have this job because some people are worse off / don’t have jobs” it can be detrimental.
This is because we’re all on our own journeys, and we can’t compare our own journey with anybody else’s.
Also, how does it serve others for you to stay stuck and small? It doesn’t.
What serves others who may be in less fortunate positions is for you to go out there, do your best work and shine in the world, and find a way to give back to those around you.
8. Settling despite toxic environments that keep us feeling stressed and anxious
Sometimes we know that we’re in a toxic environment because of how stressed and anxious we are. However, we consider that this is just a normal part of life and that everyone feels this way.
NO – it’s not and not everyone feels this way! Sure, there’s always going to be elements about our work – whether we’re in careers or businesses – that we don’t like.
But it’s not acceptable to feel constantly stressed, anxious and unsupported and you don’t have to put up with this. I’ve worked with many of my clients who have been in exactly this space, and if this is you, know that it’s not YOU. If you’re here, what you can do is take some time out for yourself and no – don’t just use the time to stress about how you feel! Use the time to truly switch off and honour how you feel, then write down your non-negotiables for your next role or business.
I currently have a waitlist until February 2021 to work with me 1:1 in my four-month career pivot coaching series, and I'll be working with a limited number of private clients so make sure you get in quick so that I can save you a spot if you've been thinking of working with me to pivot your career. I work with professional women to find clarity on their next step, whether that's in a career or business they love, and bring this to life. I've helped many professional women in Australia and around the world to get crystal clear on a career that will align with their values and provide them with deep purpose and fulfilment, as well as earn an abundant income, and to bring this to life. Book in a free confidential 20-minute discovery call to find out if we are ideal to work together. Click here to schedule a call. I look forward to connecting with you!
