Using career anchors and values to define your success

Success, especially career-related, seems like an obvious goal pursued by most. But have you taken the time to reflect on what success means to you — both in and out of work?

Many of us chase after societal markers of success, driven by the need for recognition rather than by what brings us true fulfillment.

I’ve personally wrestled with defining success, and I still question it from time to time (which I believe is healthy). Here are three tools that helped me along the way. I hope they can be of value to you as well.

All of them are free of charge, but they do require time.

1. Edgar Schein’s Career Anchors: Discover what truly drives your career decisions. Take the test here.
2. Demartini Values Determination: Uncover your core values and what motivates you. Find your values here.
3. Self-reflection: Simply take time to ask yourself—What does success mean to me, considering all life aspects, not only work? What am I willing (and not willing) to sacrifice for it?

When you honor both your values and what drives you, success is not just chasing achievements, but building a life with more fulfillment.

If you want to learn more about Schein’s and Demartini’s concepts, keep reading.

Edgar Schein’s career anchors: Offer a structured way to reflect on what drives you in your professional life. Schein identified eight core anchors that shape the decisions we make in our careers:

• Technical/Functional Competence: You value becoming highly skilled in a specific area of expertise and derive satisfaction from using those skills to solve problems.
• General Managerial Competence: You are driven by the desire to lead, manage teams, and take responsibility for overall business success.
• Autonomy/Independence: You seek freedom and control over your work, valuing the ability to set your schedule and work on your terms.
• Security/Stability: You prioritize job security, long-term employment, and financial stability over career advancement or risk-taking.
• Entrepreneurial Creativity: You are motivated by the opportunity to create new ventures, products, or services and thrive in building something from the ground up.
• Service/Dedication to a Cause: You are driven by a deep commitment to making a positive impact on society or helping others, often through work in non-profits or social causes.
• Pure Challenge: You seek constant intellectual or physical challenges and enjoy overcoming difficult obstacles and solving complex problems.
• Lifestyle: You value balancing your career with your personal life and prioritize flexibility and time for hobbies, family, or other interests outside of work.

Once you have a better understanding of your anchor, you can align your career choices accordingly, ensuring that your pursuit of success is grounded by what you value.

Dr. John Demartini’s Values Determination Process is a method developed to help individuals discover their core values—the things they prioritize most in life. According to Demartini, each person has a unique set of values that dictate how they allocate their time, energy, and resources. These values are the foundation for personal fulfillment and success

• What do I spend my time and money on most consistently?
• What subjects do I love to learn and talk about?
• What do I feel most energized and fulfilled doing?

References:

• Schein, Edgar H. (1990). Career Anchors: Discovering Your Real Values.
• Demartini, John F. (2002). The Values Factor.