Career GPS: Finding Your True North

Navigating a fulfilling career path can sometimes feel like trekking through a dense forest without a map. There are so many paths you could take, but which one will lead you to the life and career you truly want? Finding your "True North" is about identifying that magnetic direction—your unique values, passions, and goals—that will guide you toward meaningful and fulfilling career choices. Additionally, it is about aligning your work with your purpose and passions to create a pathway that resonates with your unique identity as well as a reflection of your best self.

?

Understanding “True North” in a Career Context

Your "True North" is your guiding compass—your deepest values, passions, and aspirations that define who you are and where you want to go. While success might mean financial gain to one person, it could mean making a social impact or working in a flexible environment to someone else. Knowing your True North helps you prioritize the choices that bring satisfaction and purpose to your life.

Think about Maya Angelou’s quote: “Pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” Finding your True North is about understanding what you love and what you excel at so that you can shine authentically in your career.

The concept of “True North” refers to your internal compass, guiding you toward a life and career that are authentically yours. Unlike the magnetic pull of societal expectations or the influence of external pressures, your True North is driven by personal values, strengths, and aspirations. Finding it enables you to pursue work that aligns with who you are, what you believe in, and what you enjoy doing.

Many people follow paths influenced by family expectations, financial needs, or societal status; which often ends in disappointments and unmet expectations. However, a career aligned with your True North often brings long-term satisfaction, motivation, and growth, regardless of challenges or obstacles.

?

Why It’s Important to Find Your True North

Finding your True North can be transformative because of:

Increased Job Satisfaction: When you’re working in a field that resonates with your values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled and engaged in your work.

Greater Resilience: A career aligned with your purpose gives you a reason to persevere during challenging times, making you more resilient.

Authentic Success: Finding your True North ensures that your achievements are meaningful and not just markers of external success.

?

Steps to Discover Your Career True North

1. Identify and Assess Your Core Values

Career values are the principles that are non-negotiable for you in any role. They could include: Authenticity, Growth, Impact, Innovation, Balance, Leadership, Security, Creativity, Independence and collaboration.

Are you driven by creativity, stability, independence, or collaboration? Knowing these values serves as a foundational step in aligning your career with your True North.

Misalignment of values can lead to decreased job satisfaction, reduced motivation, increased stress, work-life imbalance, emotional exhaustion.

Identify What Matters Most: Take time to list your core values—honesty, growth, creativity, service, etc. Knowing these can give insight into the type of work that would be meaningful to you.

Exercise Example: Write down the top five values that resonate with you in life and work. Ask yourself:

• Which of these values are present in my current role?
• Are there values I’m compromising that could be why I feel unsatisfied?

Then, reflect on how these values could translate into a career or work environment. If one of your values is “helping others,” careers in teaching, healthcare, social work, or even customer support might align well with this value.

?

2. Uncover Your Passions and Interests

Your passion fuels your drive. While you may not always find a role that’s 100% aligned with your passions, knowing what excites you can lead to surprising opportunities that fit your True North.

Follow Your Curiosities: Ask yourself, “What subjects or activities am I naturally drawn to?” Your passions are key indicators of areas where you’ll feel motivated and engaged.

Exercise Example: Exercise: Write down your interests and ask:

• Which of these activities or interests can be aligned with my career path?
• Can you take a course or volunteer in this area to explore how it aligns with your career goals?

List out activities or hobbies that captivate you—whether it’s technology, art, teaching, or problem-solving. Think about how these interests can integrate into your career. For instance, if you love art but worry about making a living solely through creativity, explore roles like UX design or digital marketing that use creativity in more practical ways.

3. Identify Your Strengths and Skills

Understanding your strengths is vital to finding the right fit for your skills in the professional world. Strengths are not just technical abilities but include your interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to think strategically.

Focus on Your Unique Abilities: What skills come naturally to you? Understanding your strengths can help you find roles where you can excel.

Exercise Example: List your strengths, and consider:

• Are these strengths being utilized in my current role?
• If not, what type of role could better align with these abilities?

Take a strengths assessment, like the Clifton Strengths or StrengthsFinder tests. This can highlight skills you might not realize are strengths. For example, if you’re naturally good at organizing and planning, you might thrive in project management or operations.

4. Reflect on Previous Experiences

Look for Patterns: Reflect on past roles, projects, or educational experiences to identify what you enjoyed or disliked. This can reveal career patterns that align with your True North.

Exercise Example: Think of a time when you were most engaged at work. What were you doing? Who were you working with? The answers can reveal work environments and tasks you find rewarding. If you loved working on a team project that involved problem-solving, consider roles in consulting, team leadership, or process improvement.

5. Consider Your Legacy

What Do You Want to Be Remembered For? Thinking about your legacy can help frame your career aspirations in a long-term context.

Exercise Example: Imagine yourself at a retirement party years from now. What do you want your colleagues to say about you? What achievements do you want to be celebrated? For instance, if you want to be remembered as someone who empowered others, explore careers in mentorship, human resources, or coaching.

Strategies for Aligning Your Career with Your True North

Once you’ve outlined your values, passions, and strengths, it’s time to paint a picture of where you want to go. Your career vision should be both ambitious and attainable. It could be as specific as reaching a senior role in a particular field or more abstract, like finding a job that combines travel with creative work.

1. Set Long-Term Goals Based on Core Values

SMART Goals: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals that align with your core values and True North.

Exercise: Create your career vision:

• Imagine your ideal workday, setting, and responsibilities.
• Define goals that will take you toward this vision, and break them into short-, medium-, and long-term objectives.

Example: If your core value is “growth,” set a goal like, “Within the next five years, I will advance to a senior role in a company that prioritizes professional development and continuous learning.”

2. Create a Personal Mission Statement

A personal mission statement captures your career purpose, values, and goals. It’s a tool to remind yourself of your True North, especially when making career decisions.

Example: “To create positive change by empowering individuals to reach their full potential, while growing and challenging myself continuously.”

3. Conduct Informational Interviews

Seek out professionals who are already doing work that aligns with your values and interests. Their insights can help you decide if this path resonates with your True North.

Example: If you’re drawn to healthcare because you want to help others, speak with a nurse, doctor, or hospital administrator to learn about the realities of the profession.

4. Evaluate Your Current Position Against Your True North

Alignment Check: Regularly evaluate how your current role aligns with your True North. Are you engaged? Do you find meaning in your daily tasks?

Example: If you’re in a corporate role but find more satisfaction in community-based work, consider transitioning to nonprofit roles or explore volunteer opportunities that align with your values.

5. Leverage a Mentor or Career Coach

Finding True North is easier when you have guidance. A mentor or career coach can help provide clarity, advice, and perspective, especially if they’ve walked a similar path.

Exercise: Seek out someone you admire professionally:

• Ask about their journey and what steps they recommend for finding clarity.
• Build a relationship where they can provide ongoing guidance as you progress.

?

5. Recalibrate Regularly-Be Open to Evolving

Your True North may shift over time. Regular self-reflection allows you to check in and recalibrate, ensuring you’re still aligned with your values, passions, and career goals.

Adaptability: Your True North can evolve as you gain new experiences and insights. Stay flexible and periodically reassess your direction.

Example: Someone passionate about writing might start as a journalist, then discover a love for digital storytelling and transition into content strategy or digital marketing.

Exercise: Schedule biannual or quarterly check-ins with yourself:

• Ask if your current role and activities are aligned with your True North.
• Make small adjustments if you notice any significant misalignments.

?

Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

Focusing Solely on Financial Gain: While financial goals are essential, overemphasis on salary alone can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Ensure your career path also aligns with your personal values and interests.

Ignoring Inner Conflicts: When a role feels misaligned, listen to your instincts. Pursuing a career path that conflicts with your values can hinder personal growth and professional satisfaction.

Neglecting a Support System: Finding your True North is challenging. Seek mentors, coaches, or peers who understand your values and can offer guidance.

?

Final Thoughts...

Finding your True North in your career is a journey of self-discovery, intention, and continual growth. It doesn’t mean your career path will be straightforward, but it does mean you’ll have a guiding compass to keep you on a fulfilling track.

Set your career GPS today, and start navigating toward your True North with confidence and clarity!

?#GlobalCareerMonth #CareerDevelopment #GrowthMindset #ProductivityHacks #CareerClarity #PersonalGrowth

?