5 Signs You Have A Great Career
You can enjoy work and have a great career.
But many professionals will tell you otherwise.
A while ago, I had a deep dive into my career.
I noticed that months went by so fast because I was engaged with work. I wasn't struggling to finish work and was always eager to work.
It wasn't always like this. Something changed.
After a deep reflection, I was able to think through why I found work enjoyable.
Here is why.
Work does not have to be an activity you hate
#1. You Use Your Skills
Jobs are like marriage.
To be successful, you two must have a good union. You must understand your strengths and weaknesses. You must understand the language you speak with your career and vice-versa.
I noticed I had more confidence because I could contribute to my work meaningfully using my skills.
I could solve real problems and confidently answer my work and career questions. I could also guide my colleagues and assist them in solving any challenge, providing an in-depth explanation and expert advice.
When you are at a job, when you contribute your skills and add value to others, your confidence increases, and you love your work.
On the other hand, you will have a hard time enjoying your job if your skills fall out of place with what you do.
Want to enjoy your work?
A career where you can add value using your beloved skills is a great start.
#2. You Achieve Flow States
You will have flow states if you enjoy your work.
I hear stories where people keep track of time. They keep track of every second of the day.
They hang out until 4 or 5 pm and head out of work without looking back.
Yes, you should head home at the close of work. But it shouldn’t be because you hate what you do and must call it a day.
Often, I am so deeply involved in whatever I have done that I forget it's home time. I get so deep into the work that I enter the flow state and can hardly remember anything else outside of the work.
When you have a job that time passes by so fast, and you don't keep track of time, it's a sign that you find your work enjoyable and have a great career.
#3. You Can Work For Free
One day, a friend asked if I could do what I did at work for free.
Yep, I responded.
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The best jobs are those you can do for free, not because you don't want money but because they are fulfilling.
Most successful creators today started for free. They just picked up a hobby and stayed consistent.
When your job is what you naturally enjoy, and you use the best part of your skills, then it feels like fun. You can go on and do it unpaid.
Having a paid job you can do for free is a great sign you have a great career.
#4. You Don't Dread Monday
Mondays are the worst days for many people, while Fridays are the best.
You don't need to be told what TGIF means.
A toddler in front of Silicon Valley knows.
For many, weekends are the best moments of life. They wish they were longer, not because they want the weekends to be longer but because they can't imagine returning to work on Monday.
Most days, I forget it's Monday tomorrow, and I don't stress; I have to go to work. I realised I began to look forward to Mondays.
I have been in a job where I did not look forward to Mondays. I noticed it was because I did not enjoy what I did at work, making me hate Mondays.
You love your career when you do not dread Mondays.
#5. You Are 100% Committed To Learning
Continuous learning without being told is a sign you love your work.
Outside work, I commit several hours weekly and at weekends to learn new techniques and tools.
When you love your career and what you do, it doesn't matter whether it's a Monday night, Saturday or Monday morning. You are committed to learning new things to help you get better.
You aren't forced into some continuous learning. You take the bull by the horns, lead the way and help yourself develop to get even better and stay relevant.
When you find yourself spending time learning new things to improve your work, then it's a great sign you love your career.
Closing Thoughts
You can love your work.
You will spend about 80,000 hours at work in your lifetime, so loving it’s a good idea.
If you find yourself in a job where you add value with your skills, get immersed in a flow state, can work for free, don't dread Mondays and are committed to learning, it's a great sign you love your work.
Let me know if you can think of other signs.
The Tools I Use
Here are the tools I recommend (affiliates):