What is Your Career Anchor: Your Personal North Star to Achieve Ideal Work-Life

I still remember the day when my HR Professor asked a question in the class: “What is your Career Anchor? ”, without any delay, I raised my hand and cheerfully shared, “How I am being treated”.

He looked at me from the corner of his eyes and with a very thoughtful tone he replied: “Good luck with that.” I was not sure if his tone was sarcastic, concerned, or simply an expression of identifying my “unrealistic career anchor”.

We all have goals and targets for our work-life. One of the most common are:

• A fair amount of compensation
• Opportunity for growth
• Learning environment, and
• Supportive colleagues

However, getting everything in one package is too good to be true at times. Besides, every stage of life comes with unique challenges and the workplace has to be accommodative and supportive for each of them respectively.

In this situation, it is often confusing to find the “Right Job” and make the “SMART” decision. Career Anchor could be the answer to this dilemma.

Here are a few questions that help you find your way:

• What are the core values that you like to lead your life with?
• How do you manage the balance between the personal and professional requirements?
• What are the factors that motivate you?
• How do you measure success?
• What are your long-term and short-term plans?

?Clarity about our own requirements both individual and collective will help you identify your personal “North Star” to navigate a fulfilled career. ?

Understand: There is no right or wrong answer. We all have different needs. ?

Feel free to share your thoughts with me about Your North Star through which you have led a Successful and Fulfilled Career.