Research shows us that 1/3 of our life is spent at work, that's over 90,000 hours. Given those statistics, it's safe to say that it's highly important to our overall well-being that we're in the right job.
We have a short window of time to make our mark on this world while at the same time finding happiness. At some point, we all complain about our jobs—and the grass can often feel greener somewhere else. But there’s a difference between job slump and being in the wrong career.
If you're asking yourself whether your job is right for you, here are some simple steps you can take to find out!
We're all wired the way we are wired, and the luckiest among us have found a way to spend our time, earn our living, and make that mark on the world in a job that allows us to use the natural gifts we were given. Here are some clear signs that you're on your chosen career path:
As millennials and Gen Z move into the workforce, more than ever, employees want to feel like their work is making an impact. In 2018, Glassdoor found that 50% of millennials would even accept a lower salary for a job that was more in line with their core values.
When employees feel their work has a social impact, they demonstrate greater levels of loyalty and dedication to their work.
For example, a well-respected neurologist with a thriving practice was often described as a brilliant, quiet, thoughtful man, but also as an introvert. But when one-on-one with a patient, joy lit up his face. Most people can't work on no sleep, with a Pop-Tart for dinner in-between emergency calls and worried family counting on them; it would send them over the edge. However, he’d sit down with his patient and feel purposeful, like he was exactly where he belonged. He would have never made it in a job where he couldn't interact with and help people.
We all have strengths and we all have weaknesses. The key to job success is to identify your strengths and find a role that allows you to use those strengths every day. That’s because when your job calls on you to use your strengths on a regular basis, you feel strong. Even after a long, exhausting day, you still feel energized. On the other hand, when job success requires you to frequently use your weaknesses, you feel weak. Even though you may be able to get the tasks completed, they will likely take you longer than others and leave you feeling depleted.
If you align your strengths with your job, the fact that you have weaknesses becomes irrelevant. For example, it wouldn’t matter if Michael Phelps was a poor speller. Success in his career is not dependent on that ability. If you ever question the career decisions you've made, reevaluate your strengths and make sure they are aligned with your job responsibilities.
Any Talent Analyst at CSS will tell you that if you spend your time doing what you're naturally good at, you will be more productive and happier. If you try to force yourself into a role that isn’t the right fit for you, it’s only a matter of time before you stop growing and find yourself overwhelmingly frustrated.
For example, a passionate realtor will tell you there is a chemical reaction that happens when working with clients and showing houses. It’s so strong that you can see it on their face. They absolutely love the work they do.
Any good company will provide non-stop training and learning opportunities for employees to demonstrate that they are a priority. They will want you to increase your skill development, and in turn, you will want to grow and develop.
Note to sales managers: Training and development are the cornerstones for building an exceptional sales team. Provide your team with valuable sales meetings and continuous routes for professional training. Help improve their communication skills through a variety of content and classes and update them on the latest technology. Look for growth opportunities and always offer coaching and mentoring.
How many of you have doubted yourself or a decision you've made? We all have!
When you enjoy your job, you perform well. When you perform well, you feel good about the outcomes of your decisions, and you’ll experience small wins that continuously build and lead to increased confidence. You gain a new sense of trust in your instincts, and you're comfortable taking initiative, which leads to both professional and personal growth.
New projects excite you, your to-do list isn't daunting, and you genuinely look forward to your day —all are healthy signs that you're in the right career!
Based on some of these clear signs that you're on your chosen career path, ask yourself:
If you just uttered a string of yes’s, then you have certainly found a path to a job that calls for your natural talents!
If you cannot answer yes to most of the questions above, then you might consider how you can adjust your job or responsibilities to be a better match for your talents. While there will be parts of every job that become tedious or overwhelming, overall, when you're using your strengths, you feel strong and determined. Search for the right fit for your talents, and you're sure to increase your level of happiness.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated.