Finding Your Perfect Career: Beyond Just Job Titles

Author: Ram S. Ramanathan MCC

The Changing Landscape of Work

Traditionally, careers were meant to be long-term commitments. However, the modern work environment is much more fluid, with people changing jobs more frequently. This begs the question: is career surfing beneficial or detrimental?

My Journey: Lessons Learned

As someone who changed jobs four times over 30 years, I can offer valuable insights. Two of these changes were highly positive, propelling me forward in my career. However, one could have been avoided, and the last one led me towards entrepreneurship. With a good career coach, I believe my path could have been smoother and just as successful.

Factors to Consider Before Changing Careers

Here are some key factors to consider before embarking on a career change:

• Commitment: Can you fully dedicate yourself to a new career path? Job dissatisfaction often stems from a lack of self-validation, leading us to chase external validation through frequent job changes.
• Relationships: Strong workplace relationships significantly impact our work experience. Feeling valued and connected to colleagues can foster a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Spiritual Intelligence: In today's digital world, emotional intelligence isn't enough. Spiritual intelligence goes beyond emotions, focusing on creating a safe, holistic, and trusting work environment through empathy and self-awareness. Empathy to self is the starting point, in understanding why we feel the way we do. It's not about a mere understanding of emotions. It's understanding our energy and becoming sensorily aware.
• Meaning of Work Life: Understanding your purpose and what brings you meaning in life is crucial. True happiness doesn't solely come from financial success. Consider what work means to you and how it aligns with your overall life goals. There is quite a lot to learn from the documentary Working by Obama.

Finding Your Path: Self-Coaching and Reflection

While there's no need to stay stuck in a single job forever, making informed choices is essential. Critical thinking and self-reflection are key to career satisfaction. Self-coaching can be a valuable tool for developing self-awareness and making the right decisions for your future.

The Takeaway: Long-Term Thinking for Lasting Happiness

Regardless of age, background, or career stage, it's vital to consider the long-term consequences of your choices. Taking time to reflect, like the marshmallow test, helps us make well-considered decisions that contribute to our overall happiness and fulfillment.

Feeling lost in your career maze? Let Coacharya’s personalized coaching programs guide you towards a fulfilling path. Explore our options today or reach out to us to learn more.

Cover Photo by Saulo Mohana on Unsplash