The Only 3 Questions that Matter to Your Career

There’s too much “meh” out there right now about our careers.?Even (and especially) after the Big Quit and the Great Resignation, so many of us are still searching for that holy grail—the perfect job. But if you’re ready to take yourself off of that incredibly frustrating and too-often fruitless search for the “unicorn” of jobs, then here are the three most important questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you Learning?

2. Are you Earning?

3. Are you Contributing?

And here’s the math: If you answer yes to any one of them, you’re in good (enough) shape for the moment. If you answer yes to two, you’re potentially on to something promising…?And if you check off all three, well then you can stop reading right now.??Props to you.

Equally important—assuming you don’t tick off all three, then ask yourself this: Which one is driving you right now and which one(s) do you need/want want to drive your career going forward?

There are no right or wrong answers, but what these questions can do is illuminate what matters to you and give you direction on what to do next to create a meaningful and fulfilling career.????

?Are you Learning?

When I graduated from college, I headed off to southern Chile as a Peace Corps Volunteer— excited to travel and naively optimistic about my ability to change the world.?Travel I did. ?Change the world—not so much—although I’m certain (two decades later) that I did have an indelible impact on the very small corner of the world in which I lived, worked and played for two years.

But what I did do is learn.?I learned a ton—about international development, economic growth, small town politics, Chilean culture, Americanism abroad, and how to weave a loom and ride a horse.??I also learned a lot about myself—about relating to others, adjusting expectations and managing difficult workplace environments.?The Peace Corps demanded that I think outside the box, problem solve in non-traditional environments, and push myself beyond my comfort zone.?These are skills I continue to use (and hone) every day as an entrepreneur, CEO, prof, writer and speaker.

So, ask yourself the question—are you learning??Are you stretching and growing and trying new things??Or is your career stagnant— you’re doing the same thing over and over again??Has your learning curve flatlined? Not learning is often the quickest sign that you need a change, it’s human nature to strive to learn and grow.

As author and humorist Hugh McLeod once quipped: “A lot of people in business say they have twenty years’ experience, when all they really have is one year’s experience repeated twenty times.”?That’s never who you want to be.

And if you are in fact not on steep learning curve in terms of “skills”—than ask yourself what else might you learn? Be an observer of people and your environment.?What is the team dynamic like??Why do people love (or hate) the boss??Who can you emulate or model yourself after as you move through your career??Who wields power and influence in your org? Who is relegated to the sidelines? Why does the jerk who brings in the most accounts still get ahead? How do people who always solve problems come up with creative solutions??

If you can’t find anything all to learn – take that as a flashing red light that you need a change.

?Are you earning?

Doing what you love and making money doing it don’t always coincide.??But never underestimate the power of cushion and flexibility when it comes to your career.??If you’re in a high paying but low satisfaction job—acknowledge this: money is power—power in terms of choice.?Start squirreling away some of those earnings for your next career move.?Will you need the savings for a period of potential unemployment, to finance a side hustle or to start putting together a portfolio for a creative endeavor??Staring a career change in the face feels a lot better with cash on hand.

And if you’re not in a high paying job, motivate yourself with the knowledge that every little bit counts.?I bid my time in my twenties with every job under the sun—working for a temp agency, waitressing, serving lattes, babysitting, working multiple jobs—anything I could do to make ends meet, maintain my independence and continue my search for the next “real” thing.

That focus on earnings gave me flexibility and created possibility—for example, flying to D.C. on my own nickel for a long-shot interview (I got the job).?Taking a GMAT class when, out of the blue, I decided to go to b-school.?And years later, launching my own business as an entrepreneur after socking away my Wall Street salary post-MBA.??Those early years of Great on the Job were bankrolled by four (long) years on Wall Street.??

Are you contributing?

It’s not just Gen-Z’s – what we all want most out of life and our careers is fulfillment and a sense of purpose.??Are we making a difference? Is someone out there better off because of our energy, efforts and intention??You don’t have to work in the world of non-profit or be a philanthropist to contribute.?As long as you believe in your (or your company’s) mission, you’re in good shape.

Another way to think about it is this:?are you putting forth your “highest and best” use in the marketplace? As a Wall Street banker, for me, the answer was no (I lacked both the talent and passion for the job—others thrive and absolutely do contribute).??As the CEO of a talent development firm, my answer today is a resounding yes.?Could I do more to make the world a better place??Of course.?But I’m happy with what I put out into the world, and I’m always seeking to contribute more. ??With each year of learning and earning, I feel more and more compelled (and able) to contribute…

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Ultimately, the path to fulfillment lies in that perfect trifecta—learning, earning and contributing—all at the same time.?But no less meaningful is the idea of moving toward that goal.??Start by recognizing (celebrating!) where you are now.?Ask yourself where you want to be and what truly matters to you, and then go forth and make it happen.?

Where are you today on the Learn / Earn / Contribute matrix? I'd love to hear from you, ?take this quick survey HERE.

jodi